17 May 2013
Posted by Shane Castle 
If Montana were a kid, it would get grounded for its most recent report card. The Helena-based nonpartisan National Institute on Money in State Politics, along with the Center for Public Integrity, gave Montana and a whole bunch of other states Fs for their weak-kneed campaign finance disclosure laws. "This...
Read more → 16 May 2013
Posted by Shane Castle 
Shortly after the Vigilante Day Parade, someone posted reward signs downtown about a lost cat. It featured pictures of a handsome long-haired cat lounging and looking directly into the camera. The poster was well-designed and eye-catching for a few reasons. First, in big red letters it offered a reward...
Read more → 02 May 2013
Posted by George Ochenski 
When the Legislature left Helena last week one thing seemed clear – the early infighting by Senate Republicans had come home to roost. The result? A handful of “moderate” Republicans revolted against the much more radical Senate leadership and voted with the Democrat minority to pass the budget,...
Read more → 02 May 2013
Posted by Shane Castle 
In 1878, an Irish immigrant named Richard O’Connell settled with his family in Marysville, where he spent the next three decades digging gold and silver from the rich veins of the Drumlummon Mine. His son, Rob, followed in his footsteps – quite literally into the same shafts – before taking...
Read more → 02 May 2013
Posted by Lacey Middlestead 
Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schulz, said “Just remember, when you’re over the hill, you begin to pick up speed.” Charlotte Sanddal is a living testimony to that statement. Sanddal has entered the World Masters Games swimming competition to be held in Turin, Italy from August 2 to August 11, 2013....
Read more → 02 May 2013
Posted by Shane Castle 
The Missoula Independent reported last week that Lee Enterprises, which owns the Independent Record, laid off or gave notice to several graphic designers in the state, including one in Helena. The story explained that the job losses were the result of Lee outsourcing work through Express KCS, a Pittsburgh...
Read more → 02 May 2013
Posted by Shane Castle 
Helena School Board election ballots have already been mailed. They have to be filled out and sent back in by May 7. To give voters a little more information about candidates, the Vigilante sent out a questionnaire to each of the five candidates vying for the three open seats on the board. We drew names...
Read more → 19 Apr 2013
Posted by Shane Castle 
Sen. Jon Tester sent a letter to the IRS commissioner on Wednesday urging him to stop agents from reading Americans' emails without a warrant. The letter called the practice "a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment's prohibition against illegal searches and seizures." The IRS is under scrutiny...
Read more → 10 Apr 2013
Posted by Shane Castle 
Why did a Billings landlord and state representative send a letter to his low-income tenants that decried and even mocked many of the same government social programs that presumably help them pay their rent? "The reason I send this to my tenants is because I love them," said Rep. Dave Hagstrom...
Read more → 08 Apr 2013
Posted by Shane Castle 
The Senate Rules Committee is scheduled to convene at noon on Monday so Republicans and Democrats can wave various rule books at each other in an attempt to bring closure to a severe political meltdown that took place Friday. There is a lot at stake here and, whether the Rules Committee or a court...
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