BRIEFS: Glacier Gymnastics excels at state meet

HELENA — Glacier Gymnastics had an excellent showing at the Montana Women’s State Championships March 21-24 at the Helena Athletic Club, taking first in one division and second in another.

Gianforte out-raises Democratic challenger Busse

Incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte out-raised Democratic challenger Ryan Busse by about $350,000 in Montana’s gubernatorial race so far, filings show.

Judge Christopher announces resignation, effective April 5

In a letter dated March 15, District Court Judge Kim Christopher informed Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath that she is officially stepping down from her duties April 5. She calls the decision to resign “especially bittersweet,” given her family’s long history in Lake and Sanders counties.

Workers sue to overturn law that exempts Atlantic City casinos from indoor smoking ban

For three years, many Atlantic City casino workers have been trying to get their elected officials to ban smoking in the gambling halls, to no avail. Now they're taking their fight to court.

Hockaday to exhibit work of Blackfeet artist Terran Last Gun — Live art demos, talk and reception planned

Blackfeet visual artist Terran Last Gun/Sah’kwiinaamah’kaa will create new works of art through live demonstrations scheduled in April 1-3 at the Hockaday Museum of Art. His solo exhibit, Piikani Visual Sovereignty, will be on display April 5 through June 22.

Quilter uses colors to bring out the art in traditional patterns

Walking around Barb Taylor’s home her enthusiasm for art in many different mediums becomes apparent.

Spring firewood gathering

Spring is here in the Flathead with its ever-expanding variety of outdoor activities. Last weekend was just too nice to stay indoors, so I had to do a little hiking just to get out and soak up some spring sunshine.

Coalition sues education agency for ‘interfering’ with charter school openings

The Montana Quality Education Coalition filed a lawsuit Thursday against state Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and the Office of Public Instruction related to an ongoing dispute over the agency’s implementation of a new public charter school law.

Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground following surprisingly strong US jobs report

Stocks posted solid gains on Wall Street as a strong report on employment showed the U.S. economy continues to chug along. The S&P 500 rose 1.1% Friday.

Ratings: Montana ‘worst’ for drunk driving fatalities

Montana is No. 1 in the nation for drunk driving fatalities, according to a new ranking by Forbes.

Wolfpack, Braves tennis locked in for 2024 season

Retooled and recharged, the Glacier tennis teams plan to be a factor for a state championship in 2024.

Be wary of legislators who play politics with SB 442 veto poll

County commissioners from across Montana appreciate the widespread support that Senate Bill 442 enjoyed throughout its legislative process.

Judge issues gag order barring Donald Trump from commenting on witnesses, others in hush money case

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge issued a gag order Tuesday barring Donald Trump from making public statements about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.

Strongest earthquake in 25 years rocks Taiwan, killing 9 people and stranding 70 workers in quarries

HUALIEN, Taiwan (AP) — The strongest earthquake in a quarter-century rocked Taiwan during the morning rush hour Wednesday, killing nine people, stranding dozens of workers at quarries and sending some residents scrambling out the windows of damaged buildings.

Asbestos victim's dying words aired in wrongful death case against Buffet's railroad

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Thomas Wells ran a half-marathon at age 60 and played recreational volleyball until he was 63. At 65 years old, doctors diagnosed him with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive lung cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

Montana lawmakers call for tighter security on the northern border

Concerned about a surge in immigration along the northern border, Montana lawmakers are pushing the Biden administration to tighten security.

Who wouldn't like prices to start falling? Careful what you wish for, economists say

Many Americans are in a sour mood about the economy for one main reason: Prices feel too high. Maybe they're not rising as fast as they had been, but average prices are still painfully above where they were before the pandemic.

Legals for March, 22 2024

Victims of Montana asbestos pollution that killed hundreds take Warren Buffett's railroad to court

LIBBY, Mont. (AP) — Paul Resch remembers playing baseball as a kid on a field constructed from asbestos-tainted vermiculite, mere yards from railroad tracks where trains kicked up clouds of dust as they hauled the contaminated material from a mountaintop mine through the northwestern Montana town of Libby.

County Republican committee endorses primary challengers to Brockman, Sprunger

The Flathead County Republican Central Committee has endorsed the primary opponents of two GOP lawmakers seeking reelection to the state Legislature after both opted against participating in the group’s endorsement process.