A Republican candidate's new ad stands out for its subtlety. Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy says times are bad and change is needed, while Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte argues times are good and he should get another term. A national group opposed to abortion is going door-to-door in Montana. Rep. Zinke votes no on more aid for Israel.

Everywhere you look in Montana, there are places to gamble. Odds are good you've seen machines in bars, liquor stores and of course, gas stations. How did Montana end up with so many "casinos," and what does it have to do with bingo? The only sure bet is that The Big Why team has the answers.

A state commission charged with rebuilding Montana’s mental and behavioral health system went over proposed recommendations this week.

The latest survey of Montanans views of public lands shows an increase in support for recreation and conservation but a sharp decline in Montanan’s reported quality of life.

Nearly two years after losing federal certification, the state’s adult psychiatric hospital in Warm Springs is facing leadership shakeups and turnover of medical providers and key staff.

The mystery of the lodged bullet continues. Is it fair for candidates to both criticize and shun the press? As expected, campaign fundraising is breaking records. Learn more now on Campaign Beat.

Pyramid Mountain Lumber's owners said a changing economy and a housing crunch made it impossible to stay in business. Now, mill workers and Seeley Lake residents are grasping for a future that may not include timber.

Listener support is what makes this podcast possible. Donate now to support the service you rely on for statewide news.

The Montana Department of Justice is blocking access to what it calls privileged documents showing its communication with a Canadian mining company. An environmental group is now suing to access the information.

A circus elephant briefly escaped onto a busy street in the middle of Butte.

A power company and federal regulators are distancing themselves from a recently unveiled proposal for a nuclear reactor in Butte. The developer made comments last week that indicated the project had federal backing, but it doesn’t.