Montana’s local public-health officers and boards, who’ve made difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, have had their wings clipped by a trio of Republican-passed bills at the 2021 Legislature.

The bills erase some enforcement power entirely, for things like mask mandates, and allow the public or local elected officials to curb health officers’ power. Disheartening.

While still under Federal investigation, Zinke announces interest in House seat. His reign as Interior Secty. was riddled with corruption and incompetence.

His history is full of investigations and corruption, including a still active federal Department of Justice investigation for lying to investigators and auctioneering off a historic amount of America’s public lands to monied special interests while secretary.

Gianforte’s office says a U.S. Interior Department plan to consider if bison should be reintroduced to a sprawling refuge in central Montana raises questions about federal intrusion into state wildlife management.

Gianforte has sided with livestock interests opposed to returning bison to more places because of fears about disease and potential competition with cattle for grazing space.