Beaverhead Policy Pulse

Energy shock looms as Iranians prepare for a possible U.S. attack on power plants, after President Trump fails to reach a deal with Tehran. Key watch for voters tracking U.S. foreign policy and global energy risks.

Key legal barrier to Trump immigration enforcement: Judge dismissed DOJ suit claiming Colorado/Denver policies interfere with federal deportation...

Montana's Medicaid doula reimbursements — up to $1,600 per pregnancy — were postponed due to a $146.3M shortfall from higher costs and federal...

Rural maternity care hit hard:

• State paused payments for doulas serving birthing mothers in maternity care deserts
• Program was a state priority
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Press freedom under fire: Trump demands Fox News remove Jessica Tarlov for challenging him and suggests jailing reporters who protect sources on...

• Brutal assault: 12yo boy & 13yo girl attacked 11yo with machete in Poplar, causing deep knee lacerations needing surgery.
• Tribal response: Fort...

Federal blow to immigration enforcement: U.S. District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher dismissed the DOJ's lawsuit against Colorado and Denver's sanctuary...

DHS Shutdown Developments

• 🔥 Senate Passes Stop-Gap Bill: The US Senate passed a 100-0 bill on April 5 to fund TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard, and most...

Fraud Prevention Month kicks off in Montana – Helena's proclamation urges scam awareness, as seniors face highest risks of losing life savings.

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• Occupational Therapist (Polaris): $2,470/week, 13-week travel outpatient role.
• OR RN (Dillon): $2,173–$2,287/week, 13-week contract for 2+ years exp.
  Healthcare pros in demand with flexible schedules and strong pay.

Strategic win for US security: Montana's Stibnite Hill, the nation's only antimony smelter, secures $248M sole-source federal contract amid China...

Key developments in Bannon's Jan. 6 contempt case:

• SCOTUS vacates lower court ruling upholding 2022 conviction, remands after DOJ motion to drop...

State officials urge Montanans to prep now for flooding season. Key actions include:

• Assess risk near rivers/creeks, get flood insurance (most...

Week 8 DHS shutdown drags on due to House GOP revolt over Senate bill excluding ICE/Border Patrol funding.

• Freedom Caucus blocks vote: ~30...

Montana's death row now holds just Ronald Allen Smith and William Gollehon, marking decades without executions.

Key factors in the decline:

• Legal...

• HQ ripped from DC to Salt Lake City, anti-public-lands hub
• All 10 regional offices shuttered, losing decades of expert oversight
• 50+ research...

• Republican Skepticism: Fiscal conservatives like Thune, Massie, Paul demand details on $200B request, doubting short war claims and prioritizing...

Bipartisan win averts chaos: Unanimous early Sunday vote sends stop-gap bill to fund TSA, FEMA, and Coast Guard through fiscal year end, after...

Trump's budget funds a major counterterrorism boost, including an FBI-led NSPM-7 Joint Mission Center to proactively hunt domestic terrorists defined...

Key SCOTUS move on Trump ally:

• Cleared path for Trump administration to dismiss Bannon's criminal case over defying Jan. 6 subpoena.
• Vacated D.C....