Explore

Rapid Read Rapid Read
Bozeman Man Sentenced to Four Years for Unlawful Firearm Possession, Adding to Extensive Criminal Record

Bozeman Man Sentenced to Four Years for Unlawful Firearm Possession, Adding to Extensive Criminal Record

Jerron Micheal Mitchell-Fuller, a Bozeman resident, has been sentenced to four years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for unlawfully carrying two loaded handguns along I-90. This sentencing marks another entry on Mitchell-Fuller's criminal record, which includes prior convictions for theft in Montana and Idaho, escaping custody in Cascade County, and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute in Billings. One notable past incident involved a high-speed chase into Idaho in 2013. The recent conviction highlights a pattern of criminal behavior that has led to repeated encounters with the legal system across multiple states.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Offers Up to $60K in Incentives for Officer Recruitment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Offers Up to $60K in Incentives for Officer Recruitment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is offering significant recruitment incentives, potentially up to $60,000, for new Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs). These incentives are designed to attract individuals to careers in law enforcement, specifically to safeguard U.S. borders, deter illicit activities, and facilitate legitimate trade and travel. The recruitment drive highlights the role of CBPOs in enforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture laws, conducting inspections, and preventing illegal entry and smuggling. The agency emphasizes that CBPOs are part of a 60,000-strong workforce dedicated to protecting American interests. The incentives include up to $15,000 per year for a three-year service contract in specific locations such as Arizona, California (Calexico), Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Dakota (Dunseith, Portal), Vermont, and Washington. A similar incentive of up to $15,000 per year for a four-year service contract is available in other location...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Poverello Center Unveils Upgraded Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans in Missoula

Poverello Center Unveils Upgraded Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans in Missoula

The Poverello Center in Missoula, Montana, has officially opened a newly renovated facility for its Housing Montana Heroes program, which provides transitional housing for homeless veterans. The new location, formerly the Clark Fork Inn, features 16 private studio units, a community kitchen, a community room, laundry facilities, and offices for case management and supportive services. This upgrade replaces the previous setup where 20 veterans stayed in semi-private rooms on the second floor of the main Poverello Center shelter. Paul Barnes, a Vietnam veteran and former program participant who now serves on the organization's board, highlighted the importance of the new space in providing dignity to veterans from day one. Since its inception in 2015, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Housing Montana Heroes program has served 464 veterans and provided 64,000 nights of shelter. The $6 million project was funded by an $800,000 VA grant and extensive fundraising efforts, with the ...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Five States Continue Legal Challenge to Federal Disability Rights Protections Under Section 504

Five States Continue Legal Challenge to Federal Disability Rights Protections Under Section 504

Five states—Texas, Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, and Montana—are continuing their legal challenge against federal regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in the case of *Texas v. Kennedy*. These states have filed a corrected joint motion for entry of final judgment, asking the court to vacate the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Section 504 integration provision and related regulatory references to the 'most integrated setting.' This legal action is not a new lawsuit but a revised filing in an existing case. The states are seeking to block key federal regulations that clarify how Section 504 must be enforced, particularly those protections tied to community living for disabled individuals. These regulations, issued in 2024, affirm the right of people with disabilities to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate and clarify that discrimination can occur when state policies or service gaps put individuals at risk of unnecessary institutionalization.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Knox County banned Flock cameras. What happens next?

Knox County banned Flock cameras. What happens next?

Questions remain after Knox County bans controversial license plate readers. Here's the latest.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
New Mexico Delegation Calls for Broader Investigation into Fentanyl 'Walking' Allegations

New Mexico Delegation Calls for Broader Investigation into Fentanyl 'Walking' Allegations

New Mexico's congressional delegation, including U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury, Teresa Leger Fernández, and Gabe Vasquez, has sent a letter to a federal government watchdog requesting a broader investigation into allegations that Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents knowingly allowed fentanyl shipments to enter New Mexico. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) had previously announced an investigation into whistleblower complaints alleging that DEA agents monitored fentanyl shipments but often refrained from seizing them in hopes of catching larger traffickers. The New Mexico delegation is urging the DOJ OIG to extend its probe further back than 2024, citing whistleblower claims that these 'fentanyl walking' tactics date back to at least 2022. This request comes as New Mexico is one of only seven states to report a recent increase in overdose deaths, contrasting with a national decline.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
State Representative Shelia Stubbs Advocates for Mandatory Body Cameras for All Wisconsin Police

State Representative Shelia Stubbs Advocates for Mandatory Body Cameras for All Wisconsin Police

State Representative Shelia Stubbs announced her intention to champion legislation requiring all Wisconsin police officers to wear body cameras. This announcement follows the shooting of Corey Ruiz by Madison police on July 22. Representative Stubbs, speaking at the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, criticized the City of Madison for not implementing body-worn cameras and for failing to apply for state funding for such initiatives. She emphasized that any legislation would be developed with the input and blessing of Corey Ruiz's family and their advocates. Attorney Ben Crump, who appeared alongside Stubbs, highlighted the importance of strong policies accompanying body camera implementation to ensure transparency and accountability, stating that "transparency plus accountability equals trust." Attorney B'Ivory Lamarr pointed to the City of Milwaukee's policy, which requires body camera video from critical incidents to be shared with the victim's family within 48 hours and released publicly within 15...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Nebraska County Defies City Council, Maintains Surveillance Cameras Despite Public Opposition

Nebraska County Defies City Council, Maintains Surveillance Cameras Despite Public Opposition

After the Ord City Council in Nebraska unanimously voted to remove two AI-powered Flock surveillance cameras, the Valley County Board of Supervisors decided to keep seven other Flock cameras operational outside Ord's city limits. This decision has sparked significant controversy among residents, who expressed concerns about privacy and lack of public input. Residents at a county meeting voiced strong opposition, stating they did not consent to the cameras' installation and do not want them in their county. The Valley County sheriff supports keeping the cameras. Data from these cameras has been accessed over 450,000 times in one month by various police departments and federal agencies, with hundreds of searches related to immigration offenses. The ACLU of Nebraska has criticized the widespread use of Flock cameras, warning that they are contributing to the creation of a nationwide mass surveillance system.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Fraternal Order of Police Supports 'Training Rural Law Enforcement Officers Act' to Address Training Gaps

Fraternal Order of Police Supports 'Training Rural Law Enforcement Officers Act' to Address Training Gaps

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has publicly announced its support for S. 5109, the 'Training Rural Law Enforcement Officers Act.' This legislation aims to bridge a significant training disparity between large and small, rural law enforcement agencies. The FOP highlights that rural departments often face budgetary and staffing constraints, limiting their access to essential training and resources. The proposed act would authorize the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide grants to certified and accredited law enforcement-related nonprofit organizations. These grants would fund training for agencies with fewer than 50 sworn personnel, offered at no cost to the individual officers or their departments. The FOP emphasizes that this initiative is crucial for ensuring equal access to resources, enabling law enforcement to carry out their duties more effectively and safely, particularly in high-risk public safety scenarios. The organization believes that utilizing nonprofit organizations for this purpo...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Bozeman Residents Raise Safety Concerns Over Street Racing and Speeding

Bozeman Residents Raise Safety Concerns Over Street Racing and Speeding

Residents in Bozeman, Montana, are expressing significant safety concerns regarding an increase in street racing, speeding, and reckless driving on city streets and nearby roads. The Bozeman Police Department is actively reminding the public about the importance of safe driving practices and adherence to all traffic laws. The complaints highlight that the issue extends beyond mere noise disturbances, with residents worried about the potential for serious accidents if drivers lose control. This situation has prompted local authorities to address the community's anxieties and reinforce the need for responsible driving behavior to ensure public safety. The problem appears to be a growing concern within the community, leading to calls for increased enforcement and awareness.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Montana GOP Platform Endorses Public Land Transfers with 'Continued Public Access' Clause

Montana GOP Platform Endorses Public Land Transfers with 'Continued Public Access' Clause

The Montana Republican Party has adopted an updated platform that continues to support the transfer of federally managed lands to state control. This new platform, approved at their biennial convention in Missoula in June, includes language specifying 'a transition plan and continued public access.' This update follows a previous iteration that called for 'relinquishing federally managed public lands to the states in order to secure statehood equality and provide for better management of public lands.' The change in wording has been criticized by groups like the Wild Montana Action Fund, which views the 'transition plan' and 'continued access' clauses as a 'Trojan horse' to make the sale of public lands more acceptable. The platform also calls on Republican lawmakers to oppose perpetual conservation easements and the sale of National Parks and Wilderness Areas, implicitly suggesting openness to selling other types of federal lands. Despite this, some Montana Republicans, including Representative Troy Downi...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Bozeman Residents Urged to Secure Garbage as Bear Sightings Increase

Bozeman Residents Urged to Secure Garbage as Bear Sightings Increase

Bear sightings are on the rise in Bozeman, Montana, prompting Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) to urge residents to properly secure attractants like garbage. As September marks 'Bear Aware Month' and cooler weather sets in, bears are entering hyperphagia, a period of intense feeding to prepare for hibernation, making them more active and prone to seeking food sources in residential areas. Morgan Jacobsen, an information officer with FWP, explained that bears consume thousands of calories daily and can remain active for up to 20 hours while foraging. Easy access to food in neighborhoods, such as garbage cans, barbecues, and bird feeders, is drawing bears into human-populated areas. An inconsistent berry season is also believed to be contributing to bears traveling further in search of food.