Author: Andrew Rogers

Montana lawmakers are pushing for federal action after severe flooding struck Northwest Montana, causing widespread damage to infrastructure and water systems. U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Representative Ryan Zinke, have formally urged President Trump to approve Governor Greg Gianforte’s request for an emergency declaration. The request follows intense storms on December 10 and 11 that led to heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt in Lincoln County, Sanders County, and the Blackfeet Tribe’s lands. Rivers in the affected areas reached flood stages between 7.5 and 8.3 feet, overwhelming local infrastructure and creating urgent safety concerns for residents. Several…

Montana’s congressional delegation is praising the recent renewal of funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program. The bipartisan effort ensures that rural counties across the state will continue receiving critical support for schools, roads, and local services. The program, known as SRS, faced a lapse in 2023, leaving many Montana communities without vital payments. Following a bipartisan letter urging the U.S. House to act, Congress passed the reauthorization bill last week with only five votes against it. Both of Montana’s U.S. representatives voted in favor, extending funding through the 2026 fiscal year and covering payments from the last…

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has announced that a portion of Missouri Route 291 will be reduced from two lanes to one lane starting next week. The change affects the northbound Missouri 291 river bridge in Sugar Creek, Missouri, and is part of ongoing efforts to maintain safety until the bridge is fully replaced in 2026. MoDOT officials said the lane reduction will take effect on December 22. On that day, the river bridge will close temporarily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. while crews reconfigure the roadway for one-lane traffic. After this work is completed, the bridge will…

Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that could change how national pharmacy chains operate and give patients more freedom in choosing their pharmacies. The proposed legislation aims to tackle growing concerns over pharmacy closures and rising drug costs caused by Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs. Small pharmacy owners say the middlemen are hurting their businesses. Anthony DeSha, owner of Flow’s Pharmacy, says smiles and personal service make his store unique, but profit remains elusive. According to DeSha, PBMs set drug prices and reimbursements in ways that favor large chains, leaving small independent pharmacies struggling to survive. “I can’t compete with…

President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit Monday against the BBC, claiming the broadcaster misrepresented his Jan. 6, 2021, speech in its documentary “Trump: A Second Chance?” The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Southern Florida, alleges the BBC edited the footage to make it appear that Trump called for violent action and rioting at the U.S. Capitol. The edited clip quotes Trump saying, “We’re going down to the Capitol, and I’ll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.” The lawsuit argues this misrepresentation is “false, deceptive, and defamatory.” In the full speech, Trump said, “We’re…

Chile has elected a conservative politician, José Antonio Kast, in a victory that signals a shift toward the hard right in Latin America. Kast, 59, has expressed support for the country’s former military dictatorship under Gen. Augusto Pinochet, opposed same-sex marriage, and advocated for a constitutional abortion ban. Despite these positions, which had previously limited his appeal in an increasingly liberal country, Kast won in a landslide. Experts say his success reflects growing frustration with rising crime, economic challenges, and unfulfilled expectations under outgoing President Gabriel Boric. The result highlights a broader anti-incumbent mood across South America that has helped…

OES Equipment, a national construction equipment and supply company and a family company of DPR Construction, is expanding into Massachusetts with its first in-state facility at 11 Otis Street in Westborough. The new location marks a strategic move as the company grows in key construction markets. The Westborough branch will support large-scale and complex building projects by providing builders with direct access to equipment rentals, consumable products, site services, and construction materials. The company states that its services optimize the supply chain to meet the commercial, logistical, and technical requirements of demanding projects. The 19,853-square-foot facility combines office space with…

Massachusetts is investing $1.2 million to strengthen its commercial fishing industry through the Massachusetts Fisheries Innovation Fund. The program will support projects focused on safer and more efficient fishing gear for offshore wind areas, vessel safety around infrastructure, and increasing consumer awareness of local seafood. Rebecca Tepper, secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said the funding is vital. “Massachusetts is home to a nation-leading seafood industry and thriving blue economy. Investing in our commercial fishers helps sustain local economies and coastal culture,” she said. The Fisheries Innovation Fund is managed by the Division of Marine Fisheries and guided by a…

Marylanders believe congressional maps are unfair, but they have bigger concerns. Governor Wes Moore (D) is waiting on an advisory commission to decide if Maryland will redraw congressional districts mid-cycle. A recent poll by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) offers insight into public opinion. The poll found 81% of Marylanders think drawing districts to favor one party is a major problem for democracy. Still, most residents have higher priorities than redistricting. The survey shows a strong preference for removing politicians from the redistricting process. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said an independent, nonpartisan commission should handle the task. Only…

Maryland has a long history of taking bold steps. It hosted the U.S. capital during the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War. The state passed the first American law for religious freedom. It built the nation’s first railroad. In 2020, Maryland became the most diverse state on the East Coast, with three of the nation’s most diverse cities. This progress shows Maryland’s commitment to inclusion. Today, the state has the fourth-highest share of Black residents and elected its first Black U.S. senator in 2023. Despite these advances, voters still face barriers. The Maryland Voting Rights Act (MDVRA) is key to…