Montana Free Press

01/09/2026

A Lake County attorney who was elected judge but resigned before even taking the bench was sentenced to three years of probation in the very courtroom he was once going to oversee.

Kenneth ‘Britt’ Cotter previously pleaded guilty to three felony drug charges.

01/09/2026

The revised childhood vaccination schedule downgrades recommendations for six immunizations.

01/09/2026

The Transparent Election Initiative, an anti-dark money group, on Thursday filed with the Montana Secretary of State two ballot initiatives that aim to prevent corporate political spending.

The filing came just two days after the state Supreme Court found an earlier version of the initiative legally insufficient.

01/08/2026

Montana State University football coach Brent Vigen earned more than a trophy after the Bobcats’ championship. That win and other successes during the season brought the head coach at least an additional $180,000, almost two-thirds the amount of his base salary.

01/08/2026

In a community where about 60% of people struggle with addiction, signs of renewal are emerging.

In Lodge Grass, an estimated 60% of the residents age 14 and older struggle with drug or alcohol addictions. But signs of renewal are emerging.

01/08/2026

Busse’s announcement capped off a week in which Democratic and independent candidates announced challenges to all three Republican congressional incumbents on the 2026 ballot.

01/07/2026

A Lincoln County Health Department spokesperson said that the order to boil water from the city reservoirs could last another three weeks.

01/07/2026

The Montana Supreme Court sided with Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s previous rejection of a proposed ballot initiative that aims to end corporate spending in political campaigns. The court said the initiative violated Montana’s Constitution.

The Supreme Court ruled that a proposed ballot initiative to limit corporate spending in politics violated Montana’s Constitution.

01/06/2026

Roughly 4,000 landowners control two-thirds of the private land in the state. A recent study highlights what that means for wildlife habitat.

The finding, based on an analysis of Cadastral data, has implications for wildlife management, recreational access

01/06/2026

MTFP is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Director of Revenue & Growth to lead corporate sponsorships, advertising sales, and branded campaigns with civic institutions, nonprofit partners, corporate organizations and state and national associations. This is a new and pivotal role for our organization as we expand our earned revenue strategy and develop creative ways to leverage our growing, engaged statewide audience for sustainable financial growth.

The Director of Revenue & Growth will be the key driver of earned revenue growth, working collaboratively across the leadership team to identify, structure and secure high-value partnerships to meet revenue goals. This role will help build long-term value across our digital news products and events, while complementing MTFP’s newsroom and market growth.

Learn more & apply using MTFP’s online hiring portal, Gusto here: https://bit.ly/45FCMGW

01/06/2026

All four Republicans representing Montana in Washington, D.C., expressed support for the Trump administration’s ousting of Maduro. None responded to questions from Montana Free Press about the legality of the move.

None responded to questions from Montana Free Press about the legality of the action.

01/04/2026

ICYMI: Originally published by Mountain Journal, Robert Chaney reports on a new study comparing Montanans’ tolerance for wolves versus their tolerance for hunting them. Its conclusions might surprise you.

A new study compares Montanans’ tolerance for wolves versus their tolerance for hunting them. Its conclusions might surprise you.