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Attorney General Knudsen Launches Naloxone Kit Program in Montana Schools to Combat Fentanyl Crisis
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen unveiled a new initiative today aimed at addressing the state’s growing fentanyl crisis. The program will provide life-saving naloxone kits to middle and high schools across Montana, equipping schools with essential tools to handle opioid overdoses.
The naloxone kits, which include the overdose-reversal medication naloxone, a CPR respirator mask, a face shield, and detailed administration instructions, are part of Knudsen’s broader effort to combat the widespread impact of fentanyl in the state.
Decision Desk HQ changes Montana Senate race to ‘Likely R’
Democratic Senator Jon Tester, currently in his bid for a fourth term in predominantly Republican Montana, faces a pivotal race in 2024. His reelection is crucial for Democrats, who are defending three Senate seats in states won by Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections—Ohio and West Virginia being the others. Tester is expected to confront Tim Sheehy, a former Navy Seal turned aerospace CEO, endorsed by Trump and key Republican figures.
Attorney General Knudsen issues statement on Supreme Court’s NRA v. Vullo decision
HELENA – The Supreme Court ruled in favor today of the National Rifle Association (NRA), in its case against a New York state official who trampled on the organization’s First Amendment right to free speech. In response to the NRA v. Vullo ruling, Attorney General Austin Knudsen released the following statement:
“The Supreme Court made the right decision today in protecting one of the greatest privileges we have as Americans: free speech. The Justices unanimously affirmed what we already knew, elected officials cannot use their authority to financially cripple or stifle their political opponents’ First Amendment rights. As attorney general, I will continue to fight for the rights of Montanans and all Americans.”
Knudsen dominates fundraising in AG race
Recent campaign finance filings reveal that with just a month remaining until Montana’s June 4 primary, Attorney General Austin Knudsen holds substantial financial advantages over his opponents.
Incumbent Republican Knudsen secured over $56,000 during the month raising his total raised to $394,000. With expenditures totaling approximately $19,000, he concludes the period with over $230,000 in cash on hand.
His Republican contender, Logan Olson, has not disclosed any fundraising or spending activities thus far.
On the Democratic side, Ben Alke, who faces no primary opponent, raised $15,000 during the month, bringing his total fundraising efforts to nearly $82,000. Spending around $8,000 during the same period, he currently holds approximately $74,000 in cash reserves.
Knudsen leads coalition against Biden administration’s attack on women’s rights
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has taken a stand against the Biden administration’s contentious Title IX rule, leading a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit aimed at protecting the rights and safety of girls and young women. This lawsuit marks the 44th legal action initiated by Attorney General Knudsen against the Biden administration.
The rule, published by the Department of Education, expands Title IX to include “gender identity,” a move perceived as undermining the longstanding protections for girls and women in education. Attorney General Knudsen emphasized concerns that this expansion would erase the distinction between males and females in educational and athletic opportunities, potentially disadvantaging women. Moreover, the rule mandates the sharing of facilities like bathrooms, locker rooms, and dormitories, raising safety concerns for female students.
Knudsen criticized the rule as disregarding scientific reality and accused the Biden administration of prioritizing political agendas over women’s rights. He vowed to continue advocating for women’s protection and uphold Montana’s laws against federal overreach.
Knudsen files lawsuit against Biden’s rule banning private gun sales
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen spearheaded a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s recent assault on Americans’ Second Amendment rights. This legal action marks the 45th lawsuit initiated by Attorney General Knudsen against the Biden administration.
The lawsuit challenges the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) rule, titled “Definition of ‘Engaged in the Business’ as a Dealer in Firearms,” which threatens to criminalize law-abiding citizens for selling even a single firearm for profit without obtaining a federal license. Attorney General Knudsen asserted, “This is another attempt by the Biden administration to criminalize law-abiding Montanans for exercising their right to keep and bear arms.”
The contentious rule expands the definition of a “dealer” to include anyone who sells or offers firearms for sale, imposing civil, administrative, or criminal penalties on those who engage in such transactions without a federal license. Furthermore, it broadens the concept of profit to include non-monetary exchanges, potentially criminalizing innocent sales between friends and family members.
Multiple states sue over Biden Title IX rule
(The Center Square) – Several Republican attorneys general have sued over the Biden administration’s Title IX rule change, arguing it is illegal. More states are expected to follow.
The lawsuits come after the Biden administration’s Department of Education rewrote the Title IX statute to expand the definition of “sex” to include “gender identity.”
Title IX, which is part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Poll: Montana Senate Race Neck and Neck
Recent polling data from J.L. Partners, obtained by several Montana news outlets, sheds light on the closely contested U.S. Senate race in Montana. The race pits incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Tester against Republican newcomer Tim Sheehy, with results showing a tight competition.
According to the poll, Sheehy currently holds a slight lead over Tester, with 48% of respondents favoring him compared to Tester’s 45%. Notably, 7% of those surveyed remain undecided. The margin of error for the poll is 4.3%, indicating the race is within a statistical dead heat.
Gender and age breakdowns reveal interesting trends. Sheehy leads among men by 9 points, while Tester maintains a 3% advantage among women. Older voters tend to favor Sheehy, with 52% of those aged 51-64 and 50% of those 65 and older supporting him. Conversely, Tester performs better among younger voters, with 52% of respondents aged 18-35 backing him.
Attorney General Knudsen files lawsuit against Biden’s EV mandate
HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with 24 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Biden Administration’s unlawful electric vehicle (EV) mandate that threatens the economy, puts jobs at risk, and undermines the reliability of the electric grid. This is the 42nd lawsuit Attorney General Knudsen has filed against the Biden administration.
The new emissions rule, put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), forces unattainable standards on passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles. The EPA is attempting to use the weight of the federal government to force auto manufactures to produce enough EVs to account for 70 percent of vehicle sales in less than a decade.
Attorney General Knudsen and state partners continue fight to end human trafficking
BOZEMAN – Over 100 law enforcement officials, criminal prosecutors, advocacy groups, public health officials, and private industry leaders joined Attorney General Austin Knudsen today in Bozeman to discuss efforts and effective strategies to combat human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in Montana. Today’s event was the fourth anti-human trafficking symposium Attorney General Knudsen has hosted since taking office.
Building on the work done at the previous symposiums, the three main topics discussed at the event were law enforcement and prosecution, victim services and long-term care, and emerging threats. Attendees also participated in a case study exercise tailored to their role in combatting the problem, holding traffickers accountable, and caring for survivors.
