Montana's proposed CI-132 claims to keep politics out of courts. But follow the money in judicial races and you'll find partisan operatives, Democratic donors, and political consultants. Jefferson warned us: judges are human. Should we hide that truth?

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/03/the-nonpartisan-judge-lie/

Montana surpassed 70,000 business registrations in 2025, but state officials won't disclose how many are actually Montana-based or operating in the state.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/03/montana-breaks-business-record-but-secretary-wont-say-how-many-are-local/

A Belgrade woman has pleaded guilty to harboring 12 illegal aliens and operating a fake ID document business from her residence. Eustolia Casarreal-Morales faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 fines per alien when sentenced in April 2026.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/04/belgrade-woman-pleads-guilty-to-harboring-illegal-aliens-selling-fake-ids/

OPINION: Instead of stewarding our natural resources to provide prosperity, the Treasure State has locked them away behind red tape, activist lawsuits, and federal micromanagement, writes Trevor Walter.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/08/montanas-prosperity-depends-on-industry-not-vacation-homes/

Montana’s first openly gay judge rules denial of “nonbinary” drivers license violated state constitution's equal protection guarantee.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/08/judge-with-history-of-democratic-donations-rules-montana-must-issue-nonbinary-drivers-license/

Four years after eliminating a green roof from the library design to save money, Missoula is spending $1.25M to add it back—approved just weeks after the city adopted a budget with a $2.5M deficit.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/09/missoula-moves-forward-with-controversial-million-dollar-green-roof-for-missoula-library/

Montana AG Knudsen leads GOP attorneys general calling for Virginia AG-elect Jones to be denied membership to national organizations following disturbing 2022 text messages fantasizing about violence against political opponents and their children.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/10/knudsen-joins-gop-attorneys-general-urging-ban-on-virginia-ag-who-fantasized-about-murder/

The House has passed legislation reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools program, delivering $48 million in backpay to 32 Montana counties. The bipartisan measure extends funding through 2026 for schools, roads and public safety.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/10/house-passes-bill-returning-48-million-to-montanas-rural-counties/

A Billings man has been convicted of sexually assaulting a child on the Crow Indian Reservation in 2019. Matthew Paul Stopsatprettyplaces, 49, faces up to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for April 2026.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/10/stopsatprettyplaces-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-child-on-crow-reservation/

A Mexican national with eight prior deportations has been sentenced for illegally reentering the U.S. for a second time.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/10/mexican-man-with-eight-prior-deportations-sentenced-for-second-felony-illegal-reentry-in-montana/

Kalispell is seeking Ward 3 residents to fill a City Council seat becoming vacant when Ryan Hunter begins his term as mayor in January 2026. Interested? Submit your letter of interest by January 4, 2026.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/10/kalispell-seeks-ward-3-residents-for-city-council-appointment/

$800,000 to build a bridge. $800,000 to remove it. Less than 10 years between. Travis Mateer warned about the "bridge to nowhere" in 2019. Now Missoula officials want to create what one citizen called a pipeline of hole digging and filling projects.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/11/missoulas-800000-pedestrian-bridge-slated-for-removal-less-than-a-decade-after-construction/

Two Mexican men sentenced to 39 days after November traffic stop near Malta, where Highway 191 from Canada intersects Highway 2—a key corridor for north-south traffic from the international border. Part of Operation Take Back America nationwide initiative.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/11/two-mexican-men-sentenced-after-traffic-stop-near-malta-on-highway-2/

Montana declares disaster as atmospheric river brings record rainfall to northwestern counties. 6.5 inches fell in 24 hours, washing out bridges and closing major highways. Multiple communities affected as rivers reach flood stage.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/11/record-rainfall-floods-libby-troy-as-governor-declares-disaster/

A Shelby woman with prior immigration convictions received just three months in prison for harboring undocumented immigrants across three Montana counties. The case involved multiple traffic stops and revealed a pattern of transporting people from Canada.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/11/repeat-offender-gets-just-3-months-for-harboring-illegal-aliens-across-three-montana-counties/

Teachers Unions: 1
Montana Parents: 0

Teachers unions block parent choice. Montana judge halts ESA program in blow to families seeking education alternatives.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/22/montana-families-face-uncertainty-after-judge-blocks-esa-program/

OPINION: HB 680 puts Montana's historic treasures at risk. A 99-year lease of Virginia City and Nevada City gives private operators control with minimal public oversight. These towns belong to Montanans—not corporations. The Legislature should repeal this bill, writes HD69 candidate Trevor Walter.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/20/hb-680-a-bad-deal-for-montanas-historic-treasures/

OPINION: If you have to pay the government every year to keep your home, do you really own it—or are you just renting from the state?

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/20/property-taxes-turn-montana-owners-into-renters/

Montana's 1972 constitution creates a fundamental problem: unelected university regents have been granted power that contradicts the document itself. The Montana Supreme Court keeps making it worse, granting power over the legislature.

https://www.westernmt.news/2025/12/22/the-montana-constitutions-state-university-quagmire/

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