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Politics

Politics shapes our communities, and Western Montana News is here to keep you informed. From local elections to national policy, we cover the issues that matter most to Montana residents. Stay up to date with in-depth reporting, analysis, and commentary on the decisions impacting our state and beyond.

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New Law Says You Don’t Need To Wear A Mask, Get Vaccinated to Access Public Places

The Montana Legislature passed a new bill in their 2021 session that makes it unlawful to issue criminal trespass notice to someone who is not wearing a mask or someone who is not vaccinated while in a publicly funded place. That means you may enter public parks, county buildings, state buildings and even places that…

Amber Sherrill and Mike Nugent

Missoula City Council Candidate “Honored” to Receive Endorsement from Exiting Councilor Who Mandated Masks

Ward 4 candidate Mike Nugent announced on his Facebook page that he was “honored” to have the endorsement of incumbent Ward 4 councilwoman, Amber Sherrill. Sherrill will not seek re-election this year and bears partial responsibility for mask mandates and other restrictions unlawfully imposed upon Missoula County residents and businesses over the past year. Sherrill…

Missoula Republicans Hosting Meet and Greet with City Council Candidates, State Rep Town Hall Tuesday

The Missoula County Republicans are holding their monthly Central Committee meeting this Tuesday at Christian Life Center at 6pm, inviting candidates for Missoula City Council for a meet and greet and State representatives including Rep. Mike Hopkins (HD92), Rep. Kathy Whitman (HD96), Rep. Brad Tschida (HD97), and Rep. Denley Loge (HD 14) for a Legislative…

Despite Mask Order Being Lifted, Good Food Store Recommends Customers Mask Their Face

Good Food Store claims to still be following the science when it comes to masking their customers. In an email and Facebook post sent out to subscribers, Good Food Store said that despite the mask mandate being dropped by the Governor at the state level and now the orders being invalidated as illegal at the…

Missoula Mask Mandate Ends: Health Board Rebuked By State Legislature

Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 257 on Friday invalidating city and county mask mandates and capacity restrictions created by health officers and city leaders in the City of Whitefish, Missoula County, and Gallatin County. Introduced by Jedediah Hinkle (R) of Gallatin County, HB257 amends state code to limit the authority of local health officers…

WHOs right? Dr. Fauci Says Two Masks Are Better Than One, WHO Says Masking Doesn’t Work

“If you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective,” Fauci said on the “Today” show. Fauci did not cite any specific study that points to two masks working better than one to reduce the spread of COVID-19. In fact, the…

TONIGHT: Lolo Community Center Meeting Regarding COVID-19 Lawsuit

The Lolo Community Center will be holding their community board meeting tonight at 7pm. On the agenda is discussion of the new lawsuit against Missoula City-County Board of Health and Ellen Leahy that the community center is named as a plaintiff in. According to community member reports, the Lolo Community Center lost approximately $15,000 in…

Matt Kelley Rebuked. MT AG Austin Knudsen orders Rocking R Bar lawsuit dropped and nullified.

Montana’s Attorney General Austin Knudsen ordered the dismissal of the COVID-19 curfew case that Gallatin County Health Officer Matt Kelley filed against the Rocking R Bar in Bozeman. He gave a deadline of Friday by noon for Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert to act. Montana’s Attorney General Austin Knudsen today exercised his supervisory powers in…

New legislation would require elected official approval of local health board and officer actions

New legislation being considered today by Montana legislators would amend the authority of local health boards and officers to offer a new check on their orders, directives, and mandates. The legislation, House Bill 121, was proposed by Montana state representative David Bedey of Hamilton. Under the proposed legislation, governing bodies of local health authorities, such…

Lee Enterprises’ Seaborn Larson Ties Montana Republicans to U.S. Capitol Violence

In an article for the Independent Record titled, “Claims that led to D.C. insurrection echoed in MT”, Seaborn Larson, State news bureau reporter for Lee Enterprises (recently promoted from the Missoulian), attempted to tie several Montana politicians and their associates with the violence perpetrated at the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday. The FBI has not completed…