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Whitehall Indivisible's final presentation in July was by the irrepressible retired attorney, Betsy Brandborg, of the nonprofit Friends of the Third Branch (friendsofthethirdbranch.org). Betsy's energy was the impetus of the nonprofit group, and the experience she gained during her 26 years as the first General and Ethics Counsel at the State Bar of Montana informs her work today. With an entertaining, irreverent, and enlightening firehose of a presentation, Betsy tried to bring us up to speed...
The Transparent Election Initiative, a Montana organization, released the public draft of a historic constitutional amendment that takes direct aim at Citizens United—and the corporate and dark money it unleashed into Montana’s politics. The amendment will be officially filed with the Montana Secretary of State’s office on Friday, August 1. The 1,000-word amendment takes an innovative new approach by using Montana’s corporate chartering authority to no longer grant its corporations and similar entities the power to use money to influence candid...

SUNDAY, JULY 27 00:02:08 Citizen Assist: Hwy 2 E 00:05:54 Assault: Hwy 2 E 00:13:52 Fire Restriction Violation: Hwy 2 E 01:00:17 Domestic Violence: Hwy 2 E 01:02:23 Fight: Hwy 2 E 01:06:25 Citizen Assist: Hwy 2 E 01:16:43 Trespass: Hwy 2 E 03:17:39 911: Hwy 2 E 03:59:47 911: Hwy 2 E 05:02:09 911: I-90 09:03:12 Vehicle Accident (Injury) 12:08:14 Citizen Assist: Hwy 2 E 13:56:09 Traffic Offense: I-90 14:17:32 Traffic Stop: E Legion St 14:41:57 Citizen Assist 16:10:07 Medical: W First St 17:12:08...

Former Whitehall School Board Trustee Mark Reinschmidt has been rather busy since the County Commission last week named him Montana's new representative for House District 75. "My life has already changed dramatically," the 60-year-old father of five told The Monitor in an email interview. "My schedule is filling up fast and I find myself answering phone calls and emails constantly." Setting aside his longstanding career as an artist, designer, and craftsman working in lighting, furniture, and...

SUNDAY, JULY 20 06:58:18 Traffic Hazard 07:25:54 Animal: I-90 09:10:51 Reckless Driver: I-90 10:07:12 Medical: Hanson Ln 10:37:56 Mental Crisis: First St 14:16:53 VIN Inspection: W Second St 15:17:10 Threats: Yellowstone Trl 18:27:31 Domestic Violence: Curlew Ln 20:24:58 Agency Assist: Whitetail Rd 20:31:08 Traffic Offense: Forcella Rd MONDAY, JULY 21 05:18:21 Medical: N Pyfer St 05:37:23 Suspicious Person: Kountz Rd 08:21:27 Civil 08:25:09 Animal 08:57:53 VIN Inspection: Fish Creek Rd 09:54:44...
Friends of the Third Branch member Betsy Brandborg will be presenting at the regular meeting of Whitehall Indivisible (WI) on July 30, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM at the Whitehall School Library. The public is welcome. Two guests from Wisconsin shared their urban political perspectives. They discussed events of the week with us, interspersed with an Epstein-related excerpt from historian Heather Cox Richardson and a snippet of newly-unmuzzled Stephen Colbert. Medicaid changes and immigration policy dominated the conversation. We are watching the...
Most property owners should have received their 2025 property reappraisal notices. If you haven’t received yours, please visit property.mt.gov or call (406) 444-6900. While property values increased due to higher market valuations, new legislation passed this session—House Bill 231 and Senate Bill 542—will generally reduce property taxes for Montana residents, agriculture and small business owners. Eligible taxpayers can also receive a $400 property tax rebate or the full amount of their 2024 tax payment—whichever is less. How Montana...
Whitehall Indivisible (WI) was relieved not to have a speaker last week, allowing us to discuss the news and our two previous July speakers: The Transparent Election Initiative and Reilly Neill, Montana Candidate for US Senate. Those present agreed that Reilly Neill has good experience, a common-sense grounding, and an inspiring vision. She served in the House of Representatives for the Livingston area in 2012, with focused work on water issues in Montana. She describes herself as a moderate Democrat and is running a campaign based on...

SUNDAY, JULY 13 09:14:07 Animal 11:25:01 Stranded Motorist 11:55:33 911 13:57:30 Hit & Run: I-90 18:14:22 Custodial Interference: Jackrabbit Ln 19:16:10 Traffic Stop 20:11:48 Citizen Assist: Kountz Rd 21:29:52 Traffic Stop 21:36:33 Stolen Vehicle: Hwy 2 W MONDAY, JULY 14 06:55:47 Traffic Hazard 08:18:48 Animal: Yellowstone Trl 09:11:15 911 09:32:14 Transport (Prisoner or Other) 09:40:26 Fraud: Whitetail Rd 12:59:34 Threats: S Brooke St 15:24:34 Traffic Offense 17:10:50 Welfare Check: I-90...
Every Montanan knows the value of good maintenance: you fix your roof before it leaks, change the oil in your truck to keep the engine running smooth, and mend your fences so your livestock stays put. These are solid conservative principles—taking care of what you’ve got to avoid big, expensive messes down the line. The same common sense applies to our public infrastructure. Putting off repairs can lead to total breakdowns, sky-high costs, and real dangers to folks’ lives and livelihoods. That’s why the Montana Growth and Opportunity (GO) Tr...
In a major boost to Montanans’ constitutional right to know, the state Supreme Court ruled that citizens who successfully sue for public records are presumptively entitled to recover their attorney’s fees. With this precedent, courthouse doors are more accessible to those who have been wrongfully denied their right to know. Montana Environmental Information Center v. Governor changes the calculus for those seeking government transparency and for government officials and agencies withholding information. Going forward, when a citizen prevails in...

SUNDAY, JULY 6 10:05:11 Panic Alarm: Hwy 2 E 12:02:47 Warrant: Curlew Ln 12:29:03 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): I-90 12:32:12 Medical: Tobacco Root Ln 12:37:36 Traffic Stop: Legion/Stanley 15:25:25 Medical: Bowman Ln 15:50:50 Agency Assist: I-90 16:27:47 Welfare Check: I-90 16:38:02 Citizen Assist: S Brooke St 17:31:59 Animal: Piedmont Rd 19:11:08 Traffic Offense: I-90 19:38:25 Agency Assist: Hwy 287 19:45:21 Fire Restriction Violation: Jackrabbit Ln 21:45:28 Fireworks: S Lincoln St 22:06:43...
The updated property valuations that will be used to calculate this fall’s property tax bills are en route to homeowners and other Montana property owners, the state Department of Revenue said. The mailed notices tee up a 30-day period in which property owners can appeal their valuations, which will likely rise for most residential properties as a result of widespread home value growth in Montana between 2022 and 2024. “It’s important that Montana property owners review this information,” Revenue Department Director Brendan Beatty said in a st...
Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) is gravely concerned about the passage of the budget reconciliation bill, which includes the most significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Passed by a narrow margin in Congress and expected to be signed into law, this bill marks one of the most devastating setbacks for low-income families in decades. MFBN and a broad coalition of anti-hunger advocates, community leaders, and everyday Montanans have urged lawmakers to reject this harmful legislation. Yet their calls went...
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has opened a 60-day period within which the public may comment on its planned 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). “Implementing community engagement and cost sharing requirements for Medicaid Expansion enrollees is a top priority of Governor Gianforte’s administration,” DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said. “DPHHS is committed to securing federal approval of our waiver as soon as possible, and I encourage all Montana...
In a decisive move to protect Montana consumers and ensure utility rates remain fair and just, the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a substantial rate reduction for NorthWestern Energy (NWE) customers this week. The Commission’s action comes after months of rigorous scrutiny, culminating in a highly contested rate case and an eight-day evidentiary hearing. “This Commission and staff take seriously the PSC’s mandate to protect the public interest while balancing those of the utility,” said PSC Executive Director Alana Lake. ...

SUNDAY, JUNE 29 00:32:54 Suspicious: Yellowstone Trl 07:53:21 Traffic Stop: Hwy 359 08:02:52 Traffic Stop: Hwy 359 11:24:55 Traffic Stop: Whitehall/Legion 12:12:51 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): W Legion St 15:32:47 Traffic Stop: Cardwell Fishing Access 17:05:30 911: I-90 17:14:46 Traffic Hazard: I-90 17:33:18 Motorist Assist 18:16:44 Traffic Stop: Hwy 2 W 18:41:10 Medical: Stanley St 18:51:49 Hazmat: I-90 19:06:24 Neighbor Dispute: Hwy 55 19:11:21 Stranded Motorist: I-90 19:39:56 Medical:...
Montana VA Health Care System encourages all Montanans and non-Veterans to be mindful of Veterans living with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as we celebrate Independence Day. Fireworks are a special part of July 4, but the loud, sudden noises and bright flashes can be difficult for Veterans living with PTSD. The sights and sounds can bring back memories of trauma and trigger symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, or trouble sleeping. Many people are unaware that a Fourth of July celebration can impact others. “The Fourth of July can be a d...

SUNDAY, JUNE 22 13:18:34 Reckless Driver: I-90 13:34:00 Traffic Stop: I-90 WB 15:35:17 Traffic Stop MONDAY, JUNE 23 00:28:23 Medical: Sugar Beet Row 08:09:01 Reckless Driver: I-90 10:09:35 Threats: I-90 10:40:39 Medical: Skyline Dr 10:53:14 Larceny/Theft: Jackrabbit Ln 11:55:55 Reckless Driver: I-90 12:47:20 Traffic Stop: Hwy 359 12:59:16 Traffic Stop 13:11:02 Citizen Contact: Hwy 359 13:14:41 Traffic Stop: Hwy 359 13:36:50 Traffic Stop 13:47:04 Traffic Stop 13:53:08 VIN Inspection 14:07:13 Admi...
Whitehall Indivisible (WI) hopes to see a strong community turnout in July for our guest speakers: July 2, the Transparent Election Initiative, July 9, Candidate for US Senate Reilly Neill, and July 30 Friends of the Third Branch, all during our regular Wednesday meeting time at 6 PM (see ad). We are discussing who we would like to invite for future months. Suggestions are the US Congressional delegation or, better yet, a well-informed aide. We target nonpartisan or potentially relevant partisan speakers we should learn about. Ryan Busse of Pub...
SUNDAY, JUNE 15 03:39:52 Animal: N Whitehall St 10:23:00 Animal: East St 11:55:17 Parking: A St 12:42:40 Animal: Hwy 69 13:07:34 Transport: Highland Blvd 15:08:47 Civil: N Whitehall St 16:53:19 Fraud: Bluebird Ln 17:06:58 Citizen Assist: I-90 WB 17:12:26 Transport: S Clark St 17:14:16 Stranded Motorist: I-90 17:52:09 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): I-90 17:53:42 Traffic Stop: Whitehall/Third St 18:42:28 Stranded Motorist MONDAY, JUNE 16 08:56:47 911: N Centurian Way 11:42:41 Suspicious Person: Yellowstone Trl 12:19:58 911: Hwy 2 E 16:06:47...
Save the date: Jeff Mangan, of the nonpartisan Transparent Election Initiative and former Montana Commissioner of Political Practices will be presenting at our regular meeting Wed, July 2nd from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. He has been crossing the state, sharing his ideas about how to restore election transparency by removing dark money from Montana elections. Learn more at transparentelection.org. Of the 23 No Kings protest sites in Montana, WI attendees had a presence in Butte, Helena, and Bozeman. All goers reported friendly crowds with good turnouts....
Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) is deeply concerned by the proposed budget reconciliation bill, which would significantly weaken the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — a lifeline for thousands of Montanans and millions of Americans. As Montana’s only statewide food bank, we witness the reality of hunger every day through our network of 330 partners across the state, who have reported an 11.9% increase in the need for food assistance. MFBN sees firsthand the critical role SNAP plays in keeping families fed, small businesses aflo...
Gov. Greg Gianforte announced that he has appointed state Rep. Marta Bertoglio as the director of the Montana Department of Commerce, which administers state business development grants and conducts other economic development efforts. Bertoglio, a third-term Republican from Clancy, fills a vacancy created in February after then-commerce director Paul Green, himself a former Republican lawmaker from Hardin, left the role to run Big Sky Economic Development. This regional economic development authority serves the Billings area. Deputy Commerce...
SUNDAY, JUNE 8 09:21:16 Citizen Assist: S Brooke St 09:28:54 Traffic Hazard: I-90 12:22:19 Traffic Offense: I-90 13:23:13 Traffic Stop: Hwy 69 15:56:33 Traffic Offense: I-90 16:14:26 Citizen Assist: Ballard Ln 16:32:10 Court Order Violation 17:37:52 Citizen Assist: Kountz Rd MONDAY, JUNE 9 06:41:51 Medical: E First St 08:13:01 Citizen Assist: Hwy 41 09:23:58 Suspicious: N Whitehall St 09:31:09 VIN Inspection: Boe Ln 10:19:16 Medical: E Second St 10:22:16 VIN Inspection: Whitetail Rd 11:39:00 Civil: S Centurian Way 11:59:40 Suspicious Vehicle:...