Accessibility links
The Session The campaign rhetoric, struggles for political power and results of the 2024 election converge in the 69th meeting of the Montana Legislature. "The Session" breaks down the latest action we're watching in the statehouse. Produced by Montana Public Radio, Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Free Press.
The Session

Podcast Directory
The Session

The Session

From Montana Public Radio

The campaign rhetoric, struggles for political power and results of the 2024 election converge in the 69th meeting of the Montana Legislature. "The Session" breaks down the latest action we're watching in the statehouse. Produced by Montana Public Radio, Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Free Press.

Most Recent Episodes

The Session | 2025 | Week 12 | The Montana State Hospital, Doulas, and St. Paddy's at the Capitol

Host Shaylee Ragar sits down with Montana Free Press's Mara Silvers and Nora Mabie to talk over legislation that could impact the Montana State Hospital, Indigenous children in Montana, and the future of doulas in the state.

The Session | 2025 | Week 12 | The Montana State Hospital, Doulas, and St. Paddy's at the Capitol

Listen · 12:52

The Session | 2025 | Transmittal Interview 2 | Katie Sullivan

Host Shaylee Ragar talks the first half of the session and what comes next with Democratic House Minority Leader Katie Sullivan.

The Session | 2025 | Transmittal Interview 1 | Matt Regier

Shaylee Ragar sits down with Republican Senate President Matt Regier to discuss the first half of the session, policy lawmakers are considering, and what comes next.

The Session | 2025 | Week 10 | Wall of Lava

As lawmakers approach a much-needed break, host Shaylee Ragar breaks down the pre-transmittal marathon of hearings—along with how state politics fits in with national discourse—with Tom Lutey and Eric Dietrich of Montana Free Press.

The Session | 2025 | Week 9 | Blasted Bills and the Property Tax Debate Continues

This week, host Shaylee Ragar goes over the American Indian Caucus's bills——including a couple that have been blasted back into action after being tabled in committee—with Montana Free Press and ICT's Kaiden Forman-Webster. She also breaks down the latest developments on property tax legislation with Eric Dietrich, also with Montana Free Press.

The Session | 2025 | Week 9 | Blasted Bills and the Property Tax Debate Continues

Listen · 12:52

The Session | 2025 | Week 8 | Hot Buttered Shenanigans

Montana Free Press's Tom Lutey and Montana Public Radio's Austin Amestory detail newly developing and unexpected coalitions in the Senate—and the dramatic sessions they inspire—along with education policy that could impact the state's public and private schools alike.

The Session | 2025 | Week 7 | Big Feelings About Wolves and the Environment

Montana Public Radio and Montana Free Press Reporters Ellis Juhlin and Amanda Eggert break down the major environmental flashpoints emerging at this year's legislative session with host Shaylee Ragar. In particular, they dig into bills around wolves and the controversy around the Montana Environmental Policy Act, incited by the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Held v. Montana case.

The Session | 2025 | Week 7 | Big Feelings About Wolves and the Environment

Listen · 12:46

The Session | 2025 | Week 6 | Tracking Bills, Abortion, and More Drama in the Senate

Host Shaylee Ragar sits down with Montana Free Press's Mara Silvers and Eric Dietrich to get into the latest flareup of drama in the Senate, abortion policy after CI-128, and a new tool to track legislation from MTFP.

The Session | 2025 | Week 6 | Tracking Bills, Abortion, and More Drama in the Senate

Listen · 11:50

The Session | 2025 | Week 5 | An Everything Bagel of Chaos

Over a month in to the 2025 legislative session, and lawmaking is well under way. Host Shaylee Ragar and reporters Tom Lutey and Mara Silvers of Montana Free Press break down an ethics investigation derailing business in the Senate and bills related to transgender Montanans that seem to be forging ahead despite that stalling.

The Session | 2025 | Week 4 | Throwing Spaghetti and Squeezing Balloons

As Montana's legislative session closes out it's third week and approaches a month of lawmaking, Host Shaylee Ragar and reporters Mara Silvers and Eric Dietrich dig into policy. As legislators throw spaghetti at the wall to see what will make it through committee, the three discuss the specifics of debates over Medicaid expansion and property tax relief.

The Session

Podcast Directory