KCTR: We’re Montana’s Own » Politics

4-Year-Old Mayor Is the Cutest Politician You Will Ever See

Drew Weisholtz — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:15:35 +0000

Experience isn’t always the most important qualification for a politician. Sometimes dimples work just fine. The mayor of teeny, tiny Dorset, Minnesota (population 22) is a four-year-old boy named Robert “Bobbie” Tufts. We don’t know if his senior advisor is Rubber Duckie or if he pledged naptime for all citizens, but Bobbie won the coveted [...]

Ted Turners New Love

The Breakfast Flakes — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:45:59 +0000

Billionaire Ted Turner gets to keep his Yellowstone National Park Bison calves. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that Gallatin County Judge Holly Brown dismissed a request by wildlife advocates to overturn an agreement Turner made with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The agreement transferred dozens of Bison to Turner’s private ranch to [...]

My Oh My–71 Vetoes!

The Breakfast Flakes — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:17:12 +0000

A legislative session that began with promises of compromise ended with a whole bunch of vetoes from Governor Steve Bullock.The gov’ wrapped up action on bills Tuesday when he let 10 measures become law without his signature. Late Monday, he issued 27 vetoes that brought his total to 71 for the session — just shy [...]

Birth Control Out Of Control?

The Breakfast Flakes — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:35:10 +0000

ABC News is reporting this morning on a decision, announced yesterday by the United States Food and Drug Administration, to approve the sale of Plan B One Step emergency contraceptive pills to young women ages 15 and over WITHOUT a prescription! Until now, the drug could only be sold to those aged 17 and older.

According to the FDA, the pill will not be sold to any

Why Liking Something on Facebook Isn't As Helpful As You Think

Emerald Catron — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:35:35 +0000

If you think you’re saving the world by liking a page on Facebook, UNICEF Sweden has got some news for you — you’re not. Liking a page is a great way to keep informed about a charity or cause, but unless it’s part of a specific campaign, it doesn’t actually do much good. This starving [...]

What Parent Wouldn't Want To Know?

The Breakfast Flakes — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:28:32 +0000

Governor Steve Bullock on Thursday allowed an abortion bill to become law without his signature, a strategic gamble that anticipates a successful legal challenge of the measure and kills an identical referendum that would have gone to voters in 2014. House Bill 391 and its companion referendum, House Bill 521 would require girls younger than [...]

Another Wake Up Call

The Breakfast Flakes — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:09:42 +0000

In this March 12, 1984, file photo, President Ronald Reagan gets some instructions on computer operations while visiting the Congress Heights Elementary School in Washington. The White House has taken on the school as one of their projects in its operation. U.S. students are falling behind their international rivals. Young people aren’t adept at new [...]

Relax Max!

The Breakfast Flakes — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:02:51 +0000

U.S. Sen. Max Baucus of Montana is outlining an ambitious agenda as he announces his plan to retire at the end of his sixth term. In a written statement, the Democrat said the country and Montana are facing enormous challenges including “rising debt, a dysfunctional tax code, threats to our outdoor heritage and the need [...]

Bombing Update

The Breakfast Flakes — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:56:22 +0000

Authorities in the Boston area are looking for 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ehv, one of the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing. AP sources say Tsarnaev originally is from the Russian region near Chechnya, but he’s been living in the Boston suburb of Cambridge. His brother, who was the second suspect in Monday’s bombing, was killed [...]

No New Gun Laws?

The Breakfast Flakes — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:20:13 +0000

U.S. Sen. Max Baucus helped block a bipartisan effort to increase restrictions on gun sales. The Senate voted Wednesday to reject expanded background checks to more gun sales, instead of just those handled by licensed firearms dealers. Baucus said Montanans have told him “loud and clear that they are overwhelmingly opposed to new gun control [...]

Support Sinking For Gun Control

The Breakfast Flakes — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:40:16 +0000

Today could be a big day in the debate over legislation intended to prevent gun violence. A bipartisan bill expanding background checks is losing steam ahead of a vote.

The Senate plans to vote today on the proposal and several amendments, including one to expand background checks for gun purchases at gun shows and online

Yay! Billings Is Going To Get Another Parking Lot!

Andy West — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:23:54 +0000

If you have driven down Montana Avenue lately you have probably noticed that the Windsor Court building was demolished at the corner of 27th Street and Montana Avenue in the name of progress. Unlike the new, high tech, City of Billings public library they're building on 6th Avenue the 27th Street and Montana Avenue site is not destined to be aesthetically pleasing or for the enrichment of our fine city's denizens

Is She Qualified?

The Breakfast Flakes — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:18:40 +0000

Sally Jewell, the new CEO of outdoor retailer REI won easy Senate confirmation Wednesday to be the nation’s next interior secretary. But is she qualified for this enormous job? The Senate approved her nomination, 87-11, with all the no votes coming from Republicans. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, was among those who opposed Jewell. Jewell [...]

Jobs and Education, Yes Please!

The Breakfast Flakes — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:05:07 +0000

A $180 million state plan to build education and other buildings in order to spur much needed jobs is hitting a roadblock. The Senate Finance and Claims Committee agreed Wednesday to table the plan. Chairman Rick Ripley of Wolf Creek said the bill was just too expensive. He said lawmakers need to start trimming priorities [...]

Miss The Flakes On Friday?

The Breakfast Flakes — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:20:58 +0000

The Montana Senate has rejected former U.S. Rep. Pat Williams’ nomination to the state Board of Regents. Why …you ask? Williams’ nomination failed amid criticism that he went too far when he said the University of Montana had recruited thugs on its football team. The Senate vote of 26-24 on Thursday was mostly along party [...]

No Place for Racism

The Breakfast Flakes — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:55:36 +0000

A Montana federal judge will be retiring following an investigation into an email he forwarded that included a racist joke involving President Barack Obama. Wow really? Who thinks that’s okay in this day and age?

Regardless of what you think of him in his role of President, race should have nothing to do with it. U.S. Di

Family Wage Mining Jobs!

The Breakfast Flakes — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:03:12 +0000

State environmental regulators say they are reviewing a permit application for a Montana gold mine near Butte. If the Department of Environmental Quality approves the application by Timberline Resources Corporation and Highline Mining, the venture could begin operating by the end of the year.The joint venture proposes a mine with a one-acre footprint 15 miles [...]

No On Obama Care

The Breakfast Flakes — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:20:01 +0000

One of the big selling points in the Presidents health law was that small business owners would be able to offer more insurance options to their employees. A good thing, right? No! According to a New York Times report yesterday, that benefit, set to kick in at the beginning of 2014, will be delayed for [...]

A Busy Time For Montanas' House

The Breakfast Flakes — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:18:04 +0000

The House is advancing pay raises for state employees and is also proposing a fix for the states’ beleaguered pension systems. Lawmakers face deadlines this week and next week to advance bills that spend money or deal with tax revenue. The House found bipartisan support for potential compromises between the Republican-led Legislature and Democratic Governor [...]

Wild Horses!

The Breakfast Flakes — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:20:27 +0000

In response to the Bureau of Land Management’s recent relocation of 700 wild horses to a ranch outside of Ennis, a bill regulating the movement of wild horses is making its way through the Montana Senate. The bill could reach the House by next week. Senate Bill 402, sponsored by Senator Kendall Van Dyke of [...]