STEVE BULLOCK

Just hours after a Montana judge blocked health officials from enforcing a state rule that would prevent transgender people from changing the gender on their birth certificate, the Republican-run state said it would defy the order.

Races for state attorneys general are emerging as important battlegrounds this year as Republicans seek to expand their reach in the office sometimes referred to as “the people's lawyer.”.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other leading Republicans are intensifying a personal late-stage push to persuade Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to run for the Senate.

A bitterly divided Senate has approved President Joe Biden’s choice to oversee vast government-owned lands in the West, despite Republican objections that she is an "eco-terrorist.'.

A U.S. Senate panel has deadlocked on President Joe Biden’s pick to oversee vast government-owned lands in the West amid bitter opposition from Republicans.

A former federal law enforcement officer is alleging that President Joe Biden’s pick to oversee U.S. lands in the Western states stonewalled a 1989 investigation into the sabotage of an Idaho timber sale.

President Joe Biden’s nominee to oversee federal lands in the U.S. West is facing Republican pressure to withdraw over her ties to environmental activists convicted of spiking trees to sabotage a national forest timber sale more than 30 years ago.

President Joe Biden’s nominee to oversee vast expanses of public land in the U.S. West is being criticized by Republicans because of her involvement in partisan politics as a longtime Democratic aide and environmentalist.

President Joe Biden has nominated Tracy Stone-Manning of Missoula, Montana, to direct the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management.

The White House is naming a former Obama administration official to be deputy secretary at the Interior Department after dropping plans for a more liberal nominee who faced key Senate opposition.

The label of Haaland as a "radical" by Republican lawmakers is getting pushback from Native Americans. The exchange, coupled with descriptions of the Interior secretary nominee as “radical” — by other white, male Republicans — left some feeling Haaland is being treated differently because she is a Native American woman. “As much as I would love to see a Native American be on the president’s Cabinet, I have concerns about her record. Critics also have targeted Vanita Gupta, an Indian American and Biden’s pick to be associate attorney general, and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as Health and Human Services secretary. That was seen in Haaland's response when asked about her motivation to be Interior secretary.

The mood is more sober now a mix of disappointment over Trumps defeat and hope that his legacy of judicial appointments will lead to future court victories limiting abortion rights. The mood is more sober now — a mix of disappointment over Trump’s defeat and hope that his legacy of judicial appointments will lead to future court victories limiting abortion rights. Meanwhile, Trump, whose administration took numerous steps to curtail abortion access, has been replaced as president by Joe Biden, a staunch supporter of abortion rights. Bullock supported abortion rights during eight years in office. Becerra and Biden are Roman Catholic, and the new administration's support for abortion rights poses a dilemma for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Biden's American Rescue Plan includes $15 billion in grants to help the hardest hit businesses and $35 billion for small business financing programs. She added, small business recovery is a vital part of the overall economic rebound. CEO David Reiling praised the Small Business Administration's decision to let community lenders lead the way this round. "Our goal is to ensure small businesses can continue to provide for their communities and their employees. Small business confidence dipped in December as Covid-19 cases surged and Main Street awaits the changing of the guard in D.C.

(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)BEIJING — China says it is now treating more than 1,000 people for COVID-19 as numbers of cases continue to surge in the country’s north. ___AUSTIN, Texas — Texas has distributed more than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. State health officials say Texas had more than 14,000 COVID-19 patients in hospitals and its death toll has passed 30,000. ___COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina will now allow medical students, retired nurses and other qualified professionals to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. ___MADRID — Spain reported 35,878 confirmed coronavirus cases and 201 new deaths from the coronavirus.

Kathy Kratt of Orlando, Fla., displays her Trump flags as she and other protesters demonstrate their support for President Donald Trump at the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. Trump bemoaned the decision late Friday, tweeting: “The Supreme Court really let us down. Two days after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed his suit, Trump jumped into the high court case. “If the Supreme Court shows great Wisdom and Courage, the American People will win perhaps the most important case in history, and our Electoral Process will be respected again!” he tweeted Friday afternoon. Many Republican voters in several states won by Biden have demanded that their elected officials find a way to invalidate the president-elect's victories.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)ATLANTA – The Georgia U.S. Senate runoffs don't take place until Jan. 5. And President Donald Trump has complicated the contest by claiming baselessly that the November election in Georgia was beset by fraud. Already, $329 million in advertising has been spent or reserved in the state since Election Day, according to data from the ad tracking firm Kantar/CMAG. While Biden’s campaign ran operations in Georgia until the Nov. 3 election, Senate Democrats’ campaign arm is in charge now. “People are very inspired by the Stacey Abrams magic,” said Michael Smith, a Los Angeles donor who has given to several groups raising money for the Georgia Democrats.

President-elect Joe Biden is eyeing several Democrats who lost congressional reelection races last month for key positions in his administration. President-elect Joe Biden is eyeing several Democrats who lost congressional reelection races last month for key positions in his administration. Their consideration continues a long Washington tradition of defeated politicians seeking shelter in a new White House. A decade later, he headlined a rally for her winning congressional campaign. “More than helping the president, these people can help the White House staff dealing with members of Congress,” said Card.

Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico said in imposing a two-week stay-at-home order. Nevada Democratic Gov. In Montana, where cases are up more than 16% in the past week, Democratic Gov. Democratic Gov. Some economists say the crisis has been falsely portrayed as a choice between the economy and public health.

Udall is retiring from the Senate, but has emerged as a leading contender to be Interior secretary under President-elect Joe Biden. He has urged a shift in land and ocean management away from world-beating oil and gas production to tackling climate change and preserving wilderness. Oil and gas produced from public lands accounts for as much as one-fourth of U.S. carbon emissions. Udall says the Biden plan would make public lands “carbon neutral” by 2030, meaning the lands would absorb as much carbon dioxide as they emit from energy production. As the effects of climate change continue to worsen, “Congress will increasingly feel pressure from the public to get things done,'' Udall said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks with reporters during a press conference in Louisville, Ky., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. “We’re waiting — whether I’m going to be the majority leader or not,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Wednesday. There already is a Jan. 5 runoff in the state's other Senate race. Securing the Senate majority will be vital for the winner of the presidency. John Hickenlooper defeated GOP Sen. Cory Gardner, and Arizona, where former astronaut Mark Kelly beat Republican incumbent Martha McSally.

“This was a status quo election.”Heading into Tuesday, Republicans had full control of 29 state legislatures compared to 19 for Democrats. “The reality is we are still running on very gerrymandered maps,” said Christina Polizzi, national press secretary for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. They were countered by the Republican state leadership committee, which had a target of about $70 million. But Republican redistricting power will be diminished in some states because of changes that occurred in recent years. Instead, Republicans added to their House ranks with more conservatives, increasing the potential to override vetoes by Democratic Gov.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said President Donald Trump’s campaign helped his GOP allies, but that state election officials were still counting ballots. Key Senate races in North Carolina, Alaska and Georgia remained undecided. Democrats contested seats from New England to the Deep South and the Midwest to the Mountain West, reaching deep into GOP strongholds. North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis has struggled against Democrat Cal Cunningham, despite the married challenger’s sexting scandal with a public relations strategist. GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler will face Democrat Raphael Warnock, a Black pastor at the church where the Rev.

Mike Parson, and State Auditor Nicole Galloway are seen onstage before the Missouri gubernatorial debate at the Missouri Theatre in Columbia, Missouri. Democrats are hoping to gain control of more state legislative chambers after Republicans scored huge wins in 2010. The only governor's job to change parties is in Montana, where Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte defeated Democratic Lt. Gov. The national Democratic and Republican governors associations and the campaigns themselves have contributed more than $24 million to the race. In Missouri, incumbent Mike Parson, a Republican, defeated Nicole Galloway, the state auditor who was the Democrats' best chance to pick up a seat.

Republican Senate candidate Sen. Mitch McConnell, second from right, and his wife, Elaine Chao, right, look on as aides show him the election results in Louisville, Ky., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)WASHINGTON – Hopes fading for Senate control, Democrats had a disappointing election night as Republicans swatted down an onslaught of challengers and fought to retain their fragile majority. Democrats contested seats from New England to the Deep South and the Midwest to the Mountain West, reaching deep into GOP strongholds. The Democrats' gains were in Colorado and Arizona, where former astronaut Mark Kelly beat GOP incumbent Martha McSally. Republican Cynthia Lummis, the former congresswoman from Wyoming, won the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Mike Enzi.

The two contests are crucial in the fight for control of the Senate, where Republicans have a 53-47 majority. “You can’t just be a supporter of public lands for four months before the election,” Montana Gov. Democrats have gained traction on a Bullock lawsuit against a senior Trump administration official with a history as an anti-public lands firebrand, Wyoming attorney William Perry Pendley. The Trump administration installed Perry as the nation’s lead public lands steward, acting head of the Bureau of Land Management, only to have a court side with Bullock and remove Pendley from the post. The court also struck down plans approved under Pendley that would have opened public lands in Montana to more oil and gas development.

(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s northern border state of Chihuahua returned to the highest level of alert and lockdown Friday after coronavirus cases jumped there and hospitals began to fill up. Brad Little and local public health officials that the state’s healthcare system would soon be swamped until steps are taken to stem the virus’ spread. Still, neither the governor nor the regional public health department has issued a mask mandate. The task force report of Oct. 18 was released Friday by the Iowa Department of Public Health. ___LONDON — Bars, restaurants and most shops have closed across Wales in a lockdown to curb surging coronavirus cases.

Postal Service agreed Wednesday to reverse changes that slowed mail service nationwide, settling a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. The agreement also requires the Postal Service to prioritize election mail. “The Postal Service was willing to resolve this matter because it has always been our goal to ensure that anyone who chooses to utilize the mail to vote can do so successfully,” said Postal Service spokesperson David Rupert in a statement. “This settlement underscores our unwavering commitment to that principle and to our important role in the nation’s electoral process.”The agreement comes after a federal judge temporarily blocked the controversial Postal Service changes on Sept. 17, calling the changes “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service” before the November election. Postal Service.

Postal Service agreed Wednesday to reverse changes that slowed mail service nationwide, settling a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. The agreement also requires the Postal Service to prioritize election mail. Postal Service did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The agreement comes after a federal judge temporarily blocked the controversial Postal Service changes on Sept. 17, calling the changes “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service” before the November election. Postal Service.

– Political groups fighting for control of the U.S. Senate have poured more than $118 million into the contest between Montana's Democratic Gov. And the Montana political ad spending is almost 10 times as much per voter being spent on ads in Colorado's Senate contest between former Democratic Gov. But the main driver is the race's competitive nature and the high stakes in the Senate. “These groups that are spending, they're spending big," Bullock told The AP. The Annenberg center's Jamieson, whose grandmother homesteaded in Montana, noted that political ads have a long history in the state.

(Bob Daemmrich/Nexstar/KXAN via AP, Pool)WASHINGTON – Buoyed by massive fundraising success, Democratic Senate candidates are mounting a push in Republican states that few would have thought possible just a few months ago, placing continued GOP control of the chamber at risk. MJ Hegar in Texas reported raising over $13 million during the same period for her race against Republican Sen. John Cornyn. In deep-red Kentucky, Amy McGrath has posted strong fundraising numbers against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. In Mississippi, Mike Espy reported raising $4 million in his rematch against Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. O'Rourke was criticized for being too stingy with his cash, only reluctantly aiding other Democrats, though he eventually donated large amounts to the Texas Democratic Party.

The Democratic governor is asking a federal judge to oust the Trump administration official responsible for overseeing more than quarter-billion acres of public lands. The agency oversees almost a quarter-billion acres of land, primarily in the U.S. West. Pendley, a former oil industry and property rights attorney from Wyoming, had called for selling off public lands until he joined the administration and disavowed that stance. He's helped usher the land bureau through a series of moves that eased rules for industry but seen pushback from federal judges. Interior officials argued that none of the bureau's actions should be overturned because Bernardt had the legal authority to delegate decision-making.

The Democratic governor is asking a federal judge to oust the Trump administration official responsible for overseeing more than quarter-billion acres of public lands. “Today’s ruling is a win for the Constitution, the rule of law, and our public lands,” Gov. Under Trump, it has been at the forefront in the administration's drive to loosen environmental restrictions for oil and gas drilling and other development on public lands. After joining the government, he declared that his past support for selling public lands was irrelevant because his boss, Bernhardt, opposes the wholesale sale of public lands. Shortly after the GAO questioned the DHS officials, Trump formally nominated Wolf to the secretary post.

They worked in tandem to attain huge riches in the corporate world before leveraging that success into a political juggernaut that has reshaped the state’s Republican Party. It's a shift Montana Democrats argue is out of step with the state’s independent-minded electorate. Gianforte, one of the wealthiest members of the U.S. House, has been boosted in his run for Montana governor by Daines’ clout. Democrats as recently as 2014 held both Montana U.S. Senate seats, the governor’s mansion and a bevy of other statewide offices. Daines and Gianforte “fit the party like a glove right now,” University of Montana political analyst Rob Saldin said.

– Vice President Mike Pence has canceled plans to attend a Trump campaign fundraiser in Montana following revelations that the event's hosts had expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory. The change comes after the AP reported Wednesday that hosts Cayrn and Michael Borland in Bozeman, Montana, had shared QAnon memes and retweeted posts from QAnon accounts. The QAnon narrative has grown to include other long-standing conspiracy theories, gaining traction among some extreme Trump supporters. Pence has said it's a conspiracy theory and last month told CBS, “I don’t know anything about QAnon, and I dismiss it out of hand."" In April, she responded to a pro-Trump Tweet from a QAnon account by replying “Always” with a praying hands emoji.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday denied an attempt by the Montana secretary of state to restore Green Party candidates to the November ballot. Republican Secretary of State Corey Stapleton filed a motion Monday to halt the state Supreme Court order. Stapletons certification of the November ballot, sent to counties late Thursday, included an asterisk saying the secretary and other parties were challenging the Montana Supreme Court decision. Green Party candidates are believed to draw votes away from Democratic candidates. It was never determined who was behind the 2018 effort to get Green Party candidates on the Montana ballot.

Steve Bullock said William Perry Pendley's continuing leadership of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management undermines conservation efforts and is illegal because he's never had a Senate confirmation hearing. The Associated Press reported earlier this week that Pendley remains in charge of the bureau under an arrangement that Pendley himself set up months ago. In a May 22 order, Pendley made his own position, deputy director, the bureau's top post while the director's office is vacant. William Perry Pendley is breaking the law, and at stake are over 27 million acres of public lands in Montana, Bullock said in a statement. Officials with the Interior Department, which includes the Bureau of Land Management, have said previously that Bullock's lawsuit is frivolous.

That's not how it works," Sen. Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, said of the May order in an interview. Prior to joining the Trump administration, he had called for the government to sell its public lands. Interior Department spokesperson Conner Swanson confirmed that the arrangement outlined in Pendley's order means he will continue to lead the bureau. After joining the government, he declared that his past support for selling public lands was irrelevant because his boss, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, opposes the wholesale sale of public lands. Under Trump, the land bureau has sought to scale back some protections for public lands, including proposals to ease restrictions on oil and gas exploration, mining and grazing.

"You dont want the deputy director of policy and programs being able to dictate whos in charge of the (bureau.) Its too important an agency.Interior Department spokesman Conner Swanson confirmed that the arrangement means Pendley will continue to lead the bureau. Whether another nominee will be named is up to the White House, Swanson added. The May 22 order from Pendley, which was also signed by Interior Department Assistant Secretary Casey Hammond, had specified such records were to be kept. Steve Bullock, a Democrat who is seeking to topple Republican Sen. Steve Daines in the November election.

Democrats alleged the temporary orders were an attempt to skirt the nomination process, and Montana Gov. Trump announced Pendley's nomination to become the bureau's director in June. A senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter, confirmed Saturday that the president intended to withdraw that nomination. William Perry Pendley wants to sell off our public lands and has no business being in charge of them.The bureau oversees nearly a quarter-billion public acres in the U.S. West and much of the nations onshore oil and gas development. The agency has also sought to ease rules for oil and gas drilling that were adopted under the Obama administration.

FILE In this Nov. 6, 2018, file photo, Matt Rosendale greets supporters in Helena, Montana. In the race for Montana's lone U.S. House seat, Republican Matt Rosendale faces opponent Democrat Kathleen Williams. (AP Photo/Eliza Wiley, File)HELENA, Mont. In a story published July 20, 2020, The Associated Press reported that Democratic candidate for Montanas U.S. House seat Kathleen Williams said there has been a lack of leadership on a federal testing policy for COVID-19. The story should have made clear that Williams criticism was directed specifically at current U.S. House Rep. Greg Gianforte.

Democrats have at least a punchers chance of grabbing Republican-held seats in four states Trump won by double digits: Alaska, Kansas, Kentucky and South Carolina. They argue that Trump's name on the ballot will give Senate candidates in Republican states a major edge and say they're spending there because Democrats are raising sums that can't be ignored. An expensive battle is brewing over Ernst's Iowa seat, with outside Democratic and GOP groups each planning to spend over $20 million. Kelly has a solid chance of defeating GOP Sen. Martha McSally while Harrison is waging an unlikely drive to oust Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally. Republicans are eyeing Alaska, where GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan's likely opponent is Al Gross, an independent with Democratic support.

Nearly 40,000 people were fined about $1.30 each in the past two weeks for not wearing face masks. As is true of many places, Tokyo's nightlife bars, clubs, cabarets and karaoke parlors has been seen as a weak link in efforts to contain the virus. Officials have struggled over the trade-off between curbing the spread of the virus and protecting the ailing economy. The Democrat's order came as the state reported a record number of new confirmed cases. Few other countries have shown the will to impose such stringent measures to keep the virus at bay.

The virus has infected almost every resident and killed eight, accounting for almost a quarter of Montana's 34 confirmed deaths. You're operating in the dark," said Chris Laxton, executive director of the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, which represents more than 50,000 long-term care workers. Canyon Creek was among 45 of 289 assisted living and long-term care facilities that initially declined Montana's call for testing. Steve Bullock lifted some restrictions on care facilities. According to a tally by The Associated Press, more than 58,000 COVID-19 deaths have involved nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

When we have people dying in this state as a result of this virus, we should be taking personal responsibility for this, the Republican governor said. Elevating a message of personal responsibility over statewide crackdowns on businesses and requirements for people in public spaces has been a consistent approach among certain governors during the coronavirus crisis. She has consistently invoked personal responsibility as a key strategy in combating the virus. The personal responsibility ethos has been GOP orthodoxy for decades, often used to justify smaller government and promote individualism. In the current climate, personal responsibility is being used to encourage wearing masks, social distancing and avoiding large crowds without making those steps mandatory.

Circuit Court of Appeals on June 17, 2020, upheld a federal judge's ruling that said dinosaur fossils are part of a property's surface estate in an ongoing battle over ownership of millions of dollars of fossils unearthed on an eastern Montana ranch. Dinosaur fossils worth millions of dollars unearthed on a Montana ranch belong to the owners of the lands surface rights, not the owners of the mineral rights, a U.S. appeals court ruled. The surface rights where the fossils were found are owned by Mary Ann and Lige Murray. In the meantime, the 2019 Montana Legislature passed a bill stating that dinosaur fossils are part of a property's surface estate unless they are reserved as part of the mineral estate. In a 4-3 ruling last month, the Montana justices said dinosaur fossils are not considered minerals under state law.

Steve Bullock speaks at an event marking a conservation agreement at a former mining site in Jardine, Mont. Steve Bullock never got to square off directly against President Donald Trump before dropping out of the Democratic presidential primary race last year. But the two-term governor is getting another chance on his home turf by trying to oust a strong Trump ally, first-term Republican Sen. Steve Daines in Montana's U.S. Senate race. Steve Bullock never got to square off against President Donald Trump before dropping out of the Democratic presidential primary last year, but the two-term governor is getting another chance on his home turf by trying to oust a strong Trump ally in Montana's U.S. Senate race. To hear Bullock tell it, he doesn't see the Senate race as an extension of his presidential run or Daines as a proxy of Trump.

Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana, speaks at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., on Monday, May 1, 2017. Steve Bullock launched a Senate campaign Monday, creating another potentially competitive race for a Democratic Party desperately trying to flip control of the chamber. Bullock, who ran for president in 2020, repeatedly said he would not challenge Republican Sen. Steve Daines after he left the race in December. The second-term governor won reelection in 2016 even as President Donald Trump carried his state by about 20 percentage points. Public health advocate Cora Neumann, who was running for Senate, dropped out and endorsed Bullock on Monday, according to Politico.

FILE PHOTO: Then-2020 Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Montana Governor Steve Bullock speaks and answers audience questions during the Presidential Gun Sense Forum in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., August 10, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File Photo(Reuters) - Steve Bullock, the Democratic governor of Montana and a former 2020 presidential candidate, is seriously considering a U.S. Senate run, a decision that would give Democrats another competitive race in their bid to reclaim the chamber this November. Bullock, 53, a popular Democratic moderate and Montana governor since 2013, has insisted for months he was not going to challenge Republican Senator Steve Daines. Democratic leaders have made concerted efforts to persuade Bullock to launch a Senate bid. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, visited Bullock in Montana last month.

Democratic presidential hopeful Montana Gov. Steve Bullock speaks during the AARP and The Des Moines Register Iowa Presidential Candidate Forum on July 20, 2019 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. GettyMontana Governor Steve Bullock announced Monday that he is ending his presidential bid. Since entering the race, Bullock spent a total of 32 days and held 91 events in the Hawkeye State. "Governor Bullock will continue to faithfully and effectively serve the people of Montana as their Governor," said Galia Slayen, Bullock Campaign communications director.

CBSN Originals | Speaking Frankly: PornWith smartphones and wireless internet, gaining access to pornography has never been easier for young people. But experts say early exposure to porn can "rewire" young peoples brains, distort their views of sexual behavior, and even contribute to dating violence. Now, educators are trying to find ways to teach kids how to think critically about porn to help them foster healthier relationships.

Steve Bullock is dropping out of the 2020 presidential race after coming up short of qualification requirements for Democratic debates and failing to collect significant support in the polls. Still, he was unable to muster much support among Democratic voters, barely cracking 1% in most national polls. "Governor Bullock will continue to faithfully and effectively serve the people of Montana as their Governor," said Galia Slayen, Bullock Campaign communications director. Bullock ran as a centrist who managed to win Montana a state that President Donald Trump won by 20 percentage points. Bullock's announcement came a day after Joe Sestak, a retired vice admiral and former congressman from Pennsylvania, dropped out of the Democratic race.

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the fourth U.S. Democratic presidential candidates 2020 election debate at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio U.S., October 15, 2019. Weve raised a lot of money online and weve raised money offline as well. Steyer spent $47 million in the quarter, more than double the amount of cash spent by any other Democratic or Republican candidate, including Trump. Before this quarter, Warren had outpaced her rivals on payroll spending. For the year, Warren spent $9.1 million on salary plus $4 million in payroll taxes.

Steve Bullock on Tuesday announced that he is running for president, becoming the 22nd Democrat to announce a bid to take on President Donald Trump in 2020. Steve Bullock raised nearly $2.3 million for his 2020 presidential bid in the third fundraising quarter of this year, his campaign announced Friday. Bullock's campaign doubled its number of individual contributions, and the average online contribution was $24, according to the campaign. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has so far amassed the largest third quarter fundraising haul among 2020 Democrats, with $25.3 million. Sen. Elizabeth Warren came right behind him, announcing on Friday that her campaign raised $24.6 million.

A pretty good swath of the northwest got 2-3 feet (60-91 cm) of snow, Weiss said. Its a pretty good storm.About 19 inches of snow fell in northwestern Washington state, and light snow also fell in areas of California, Nevada, Wyoming, Oregon and Idaho, forecasters said. Another 1-2 inches (2.5 - 5 cm) of snow was expected by mid-Monday in spots, with winter storm warnings in effect for western Montana and the mountains of northern Washington and northern Idaho. Montana Governor Steve Bullock called an emergency on Sunday after 40 inches (101 cm) of snow fell in towns like Browning, forcing highway closures and a string of road accidents. With an unprecedented winter storm throwing our state a surprise in September, state and local governments are working closely together to protect the health and safety of Montanans, Bullock said.

An extra 1 to 2 feet (30-61 cm) of snow was expected overnight, with winter storm warnings in effect for western Montana and the mountains of northern Washington and northern Idaho. Snow was also expected in areas of California, Nevada, Wyoming, Oregon and Idaho. Temperatures were expected to drop to record lows in the 20s F (-6.6 C) or below on Sunday night across western Montana and north-central Idaho, according to the National Weather Service. With an unprecedented winter storm throwing our state a surprise in September, state and local governments are working closely together to protect the health and safety of Montanans, Bullock said in a statement. Strong winds risked blizzard conditions in some areas, with blowing snow disrupting travel into Monday even after the snow was expected to wind down overnight, the weather service reported.

Montana's governor declared a "winter storm emergency" tonight after the state was slammed by more than 3 feet of heavy, wet snow. Governor Steve Bullock declared the emergency as storm watches and warnings were posted across the region. This early-occurring winter storm blasted the city of Great Falls with more than a foot of snow in September. "My recommendation is to stay off the road if you can," said Sergeant Wade Palen of the Montana Highway Patrol. Forecasters expect the winter weather to continue through the night.

In the last week, Steyer spent nearly $400,000 on Facebook ads to lead all candidates in advertising spending on the platform. A recent Facebook ad from Gillibrand deployed her young son Henry to ask for donations as small as $1. He's spent more than $571,000 on Facebook ads during the course of the campaign, the company's data shows. In one ad, Bullock's campaign writes: "First: The DNC BLOCKED Governor Steve Bullock from the first debate. In all, Democratic candidates have spent more than $38 million on Facebook and Google advertising so far during the 2020 campaign.

FILE PHOTO: Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate former U.S. Rep. John Delaney and Montana Governor Steve Bullock (L-R) on the first night of the second 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential debate in Detroit, Michigan, July 30, 2019. In a reversal on Wednesday, front-runner Joe Bidens centrist agenda was questioned repeatedly by progressives on the debate stage. Here is a look at how each of the 20 candidates did on the Detroit debate. Harris produced the most memorable moment of the first Miami debate when she successfully attacked Bidens record on race. ORourkes campaign said he has qualified for the third debate series in September, when the Democratic Party has established more stringent criteria.

FILE PHOTO: Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate former U.S. Rep. John Delaney and Montana Governor Steve Bullock (L-R) on the first night of the second 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential debate in Detroit, Michigan, July 30, 2019. In a reversal on Wednesday, front-runner Joe Bidens centrist agenda was questioned repeatedly by progressives on the debate stage. Here is a look at how each of the 20 candidates did on the Detroit debate. Harris produced the most memorable moment of the first Miami debate when she successfully attacked Bidens record on race. ORourkes campaign said he has qualified for the third debate series in September, when the Democratic Party has established more stringent criteria.

DETROIT (Reuters) - Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders offered an unabashed defense of their progressive policies during a Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday, as their more moderate rivals criticized their proposals as unrealistic and politically untenable. Warren rebuked former U.S. Representative John Delaney, who often played the role of foil to the progressives during the debate, firing back at his criticism of her policies. He pointed to Warren and Sanders: They are running on telling half the country that your health insurance is illegal.U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren speak on the first night of the second 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential debate in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., July 30, 2019. Eight candidates have so qualified for the next round of debates: Biden, Warren, Sanders, Harris, Buttigieg, U.S.

A judge has ruled that the Trump administration must resume collecting donor information from nonprofit groups and give states and the public the chance to weigh in if it tries to halt the practice again. Last year, the IRS changed the Nixon-era rule meant to prevent fraud and abuse by tax-exempt groups with nonprofit status. Morris said the IRS should have given public notice and allowed the public to comment on the rule change before finalizing it. Montana revenue officials rely on the IRS' informed assessment of nonprofit organizations including donor information when deciding on their own state tax exemptions, attorneys for Bullock argued in court. Further, they argued, nonprofit organizations would still have to collect donor information and turn it over if the agency requests it.

DETROIT (Reuters) - Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders offered an unabashed defense of their progressive policies during a Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday, as their more moderate rivals took aim at their proposals as unrealistic and politically untenable. Senator Elizabeth Warren speak on the first night of the second 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential debate in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., July 30, 2019. Montana Governor Steve Bullock, emerging as a forceful voice in his first presidential debate, criticized fellow candidates for being too liberal in the opening round of debates last month in Miami. They are running on telling half the country that your health insurance is illegal, Delaney said, pointing to Warren and Sanders. Senator Kamala Harris enjoyed after a strong performance in the first debate after confronting Biden on the issue of race.

DETROIT (Reuters) - Progressive candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren bore the brunt of attacks from more moderate rivals in the second round of U.S. Democratic debates on Tuesday, spotlighting the ideological divide among the partys crowded presidential field. Senator Elizabeth Warren speak on the first night of the second 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential debate in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., July 30, 2019. They are running on telling half the country that your health insurance is illegal, Delaney said, pointing to Warren and Sanders. Were not trying to take healthcare away from anyone. Senator Kamala Harris enjoyed after a strong performance in the first debate after confronting front-runner Joe Biden on the issue of race.

Senator Elizabeth Warren and former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke debate on the first night of the second 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential debate in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., July 30, 2019. They are running on telling half the country that your health insurance is illegal, Delaney said, pointing to Warren and Sanders. She and Biden, the former vice president, will renew their rivalry on the second night of the debate on Wednesday. Sanders was mostly sidelined on the next night, standing placidly by as Biden and Harris leaned across him to spar over race. Warren and Sanders insist they are friends, not rivals, and would not turn on each other for their own political gain.

DETROIT (Reuters) - Moderate candidates voiced criticism of the progressive wish-list economics pushed by candidates like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren as the second round of the second Democratic presidential debates kicked off on Tuesday. Senator Bernie Sanders speak during the first night of the second 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential debate in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., July 30, 2019. The other candidates on stage in Detroit on Tuesday, included Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, former congressman Beto ORourke and U.S. She and Biden, the former vice president, will renew their rivalry on the second night of the debate on Wednesday. Klobuchar, a U.S. senator from Minnesota, has also remained well outside the top tier in polls since she entered the race.

Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, will face off Tuesday evening in Detroit for the first night of the second Democratic debates. Sanders, asked recently what viewers should expect from the pairing's appearance on the debate stage, said, "Intelligence." Some moderates, such as Klobuchar, Hickenlooper and Delaney, have already signaled they may challenge Sanders and Warren over health care. Bullock will be the only candidate to appear for the first time on the debate stage. Ahead of the debate, CNN announced that it will not ask any show-of-hand questions.

Gun control emerged as a big issue during the Democratic presidential debate Tuesday in Detroit, but then it grew into an argument about money in politics. The National Rifle Association, candidates argued, was emblematic of how large, well-funded lobbying groups and corporations exert too much influence on elections. "Nobody up here is going to tell you that we have a magical solution to the crisis," Sanders said. The debate came in the wake of the deadly shooting in Gilroy, California, on Sunday night that left three dead and 12 injured. Marianne Williamson lashed out not only against the NRA but also at candidates who have taken donations from a variety of corporations.

Little-known former Maryland Rep. John Delaney was the surprising tone-setter during the first night of the second Democratic debates on Tuesday. Delaney spoke for less time than six of the 10 candidates, for a total under 11 minutes, according to a tally by debate host CNN. In one particularly testy exchange with Warren, Delaney said "Democrats win when we run on real solutions, not impossible promises. In a back-and-forth on trade, Delaney said that under Warren's proposal to change the way that the U.S. negotiates trade deals, announced Monday, "we would not be able to trade with the United Kingdom. "I'm the only person on stage who understands the business," Delaney, who formerly worked in health-care finance, said at one point.

Its a showdown of the Democratic presidential primary fields top progressives Tuesday night as Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts headline the first night of this weeks debate in Detroit, which is being televised by CNN. The format is similar to last months opening debate, featuring 10 Democrats on stage per night. Steve Bullock, who entered the race too late to qualify for the previous Democratic debate. Like ORourke, this debate will be one of his best chances to stopper any more losses.

The lineup for the second set of Democratic presidential candidate debates in Detroit was announced Thursday, and each night will definitely have a different feel from the first set of debates in Miami last month. Heres a look at how the 20-candidate lineup (10 on stage each night) for the debates in Detroit on July 30 and 31 compares to the lineup in Miami. Bullock in, Swalwell outThe last debate in Miami featured Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, but he has since dropped out of the race. Candidates who appeared on first night in Miami, but are on second night in DetroitBooker, Castro, de Blasio, Gabbard, Inslee. Candidates who appeared on second night in Miami, but are on first night in DetroitButtigieg, Williamson.

The agreement allows resort owners and executives to keep the four liquor licenses for the club's bars and restaurants. Representatives for Bullock and the Yellowstone Club said Tuesday those past donations had nothing to do with the resolution of the dispute over the liquor licenses. The liquor license dispute emerged after Williamson, the club's general manager, applied in December for a liquor license for the club's new Buffalo Bar and Grill and its Boot Room late night hangout. They then filed the action to deny the new liquor license application and revoke the club's existing liquor licenses. The licenses are owned by limited-liability companies made up of different Yellowstone Club and CrossHarbor executives, including Byrne and Williamson.