Overcrowding in Butte jail draws defense critique
Five defense lawyers report inmates cuffed to chairs or benches for days at the Butte Detention Center due to no cell space and lack of mattresses. They describe safety hazards and rising tensions as Sheriff Ed Lester acknowledges a chronic problem, urging awareness of systemic causes and potential solutions.
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Butte Detention Center
Ed Lester
Butte
Charles McIntosh
PETA
Montana Standard
McIntosh
Kaylee Hafer
Shelby Danna
Christopher Miller
James Dolan
Hafer
Miller
Montana property tax proposals move to the session
The 2026 Montana legislative session faces heated debate as Democrats push plans while Gov. Gianforte backs a homestead exemption aimed at lowering taxes for primary residences and long term rentals. The measure would raise levies on nonprimary properties, including second homes and larger commercial properties, with rebates already available from a prior session. Local officials clash over state control of county budgets as lawmakers weigh changes.
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Greg Gianforte
Ryan Busse
Gianforte
Montana
Llew Jones
Jones
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