Montana

Northwest Montana Weekly Roundup: From Protests to Sentencing, Key Events Unfold

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Kalispell, Montana – In a week marked by significant events, local reporter Taylor Inman provides insights into key stories shaping Northwest Montana. Among the highlights are a recent protest, a major sentencing, and a new law aimed at addressing illegal hiring practices. Last weekend, the “No Kings” protest saw community members gather peacefully in Kalispell. While no significant incidents were reported, five individuals were arrested, and one person sustained minor injuries. The demonstration highlighted concerns about leadership and governance, drawing attention to issues that resonate within the local community. In a related legal development, a … Read more

Closure of Asbestos Screening Clinic in Montana Sparks Concern Over Public Health Amid Legal Battle with BNSF

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Libby, Montana — Authorities have closed the Center for Asbestos Related Disease, a crucial screening facility in this small town grappling with the health repercussions of asbestos exposure from a nearby mine. The abrupt closure followed a court order granting the railroad BNSF the right to seize the clinic’s assets to satisfy a legal judgment. On Wednesday, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office enforced the closure of the clinic, which has been instrumental in providing care to the local community, where around 3,000 residents live under the shadow of long-standing asbestos contamination. The area is notorious … Read more

Montana Supreme Court Overturns Abortion Restrictions, Sparking Controversy and Calls for Legislative Change

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HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Supreme Court issued a decisive ruling, overturning three abortion-related laws passed in 2021. The court’s 6-1 judgment deemed that the laws, which sought to restrict abortion practices after 20 weeks and impose additional ultrasound mandates, were unconstitutional. The decision underscores the state constitution’s protection of a woman’s right to privacy. Following the ruling, Governor Greg Gianforte expressed strong discontent, labeling the justices as “activists.” He accused them of neglecting contemporary medical practices and criticized their interpretation of legal precedents, arguing that their actions undermine the intentions of elected officials. “These … Read more

"Federal Jury Awards $28 Million to Former Inmate Brutally Attacked in Montana Private Prison"

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GREAT FALLS, Mont. – In a significant ruling, a federal jury awarded Nathaniel Lake, a former prisoner, nearly $28 million after he sustained serious injuries while incarcerated in a private facility in Shelby, Montana. The jury determined that CoreCivic, the corporation operating the prison, failed to adequately protect Lake during his time behind bars. Lake’s ordeal began when he was attacked by another inmate, known for a violent history, who was serving two life sentences without the possibility of parole. The assailant was able to exit his locked area and entered Lake’s cell, where he … Read more