Montana
State Auditor Talks Montana Crypto Pioneering
Crypto
A strong tech sector has put Montana on the crypto pulse, says state auditor

MILWAUKEE, July 16, 2024 – Troy Downing, Montana’s state auditor who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives, credited Montana’s leading role in cryptocurrency legislation to the surge in investment in the state’s tech sector.
Broadband Breakfast on July 17, 2024 – Crypto and the Republicans
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“We’ve got money coming into the state to fund talent… I think that’s been a real driver in Montana,” said Downing, a tech industry veteran, during a visit to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Montana has been one state at the forefront of crypto-friendly legislation. Last May, Montana passed a law that enshrined an individual right to mine crypto, as well as prevented taxation on crypto when used as a method of payment.
Downing said Montana’s pulse on crypto and early passage of legislation were downstream from the state’s strong tech sector. Downing said Montana has fostered a tech-friendly environment, bolstered by strong universities, that has made the state fertile ground for venture money investment.
That talent investment has been pipelined into strong legislative work from Republican Sen. Steve Daines and Gov. Greg Gianforte and other policymakers, according to Downing.
Downing, who sold his web calendar company to Yahoo decades ago, recently won the primary for Montana’s second Congressional district as the Republican nominee. Downing will face off against Democratic nominee John Driscoll in the Nov. 5 general election.
If elected, Downing said he would work to continue pushing Montana’s position at the forefront of the evolving industry.
“What I see is opportunity. If we’re not innovating here, someone is going to leave us in the dust,” said Downing.
Crypto and Republicans: Navigating the Digital Currency Landscape During the Trump era, GOP lawmakers emerged as vocal advocates for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Although advocating to unlock crypto’s potential, Downing also recognized the necessity of restrictions to prevent consumer exploitation by bad actors.
As state auditor, Downing said he dealt with the ramifications of the FTX lawsuit, the crypto exchange company that stole billions of dollars from customers.
Aware of both the threats and benefits, Downing said it is important to build a regulatory framework that protects consumers while allowing innovation.
Montana
French Montana Shares Rare Insight into Khloe Kardashian Relationship
Where Khloe Kardashian Stands With Ex French Montana More Than 10 Years After Breakup
French Montana is done keeping up with reality TV.
In fact, he only agreed to appear on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney & Khloé Take the Hamptons over a decade ago as a favor to then-girlfriend Khloe Kardashian.
“She said to get on the show,” he exclusively told E! News at the BET Awards on June 28. “And I got on the show. Shout out to Khloe.”
The “Ever Since U Left Me” rapper, who split with Kardashian in December 2014 after eight months of dating, said the experience was “fun” because her family kept it real.
“They filmed their real life,” he continued. “And we were part of something together that one time. So it felt great. It didn’t feel like work because they film what they do everyday.”
As for his future in reality TV, the 41-year-old said those days are over, shutting down any prospective offers with a simple, “Negative.”
Although the “Unforgettable” artist—whose real name is Karim Kharbouch—may not be returning to television anytime soon, he has no problem hanging out with his ex-girlfriend these days.
Montana
French Montana, Rick Ross & Max B Turn the BET Awards Into “ – BET Awards 2026 | BET
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Montana
Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition
GREAT FALLS — For Staff Sgt. Brianna St. Lawrence-Brody, service does not only happen in uniform.
Outside the gates of the base, she works at Benefis as a nurse, Great Falls Public Schools as a school nurse, and comes home as a wife and mom of four. For the Montana Air National Guard, she serves as a command post controller with the 120th Airlift Wing in Great Falls.
(WATCH: Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition)
Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition
This year, St. Lawrence-Brody was named the U.S. Air National Guard’s Outstanding Airman of the Year in the Non-Commissioned Officer category.
She said the recognition came as a surprise, especially because her path into the Guard started later than others.
“I joined very late in life,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “I joined the Guard right before I turned 40. So for me, every opportunity that’s presented, I want to take the bull by the horns and just run with it and do the best of my ability.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined the Guard after finishing nursing school. She said she went straight from nursing school into helping open a COVID unit, while also working at Benefis.
She said that experience was the start of one journey, but not the whole of what she wanted to accomplish.
St. Lawrence-Brody joined the Guard for the opportunities, the challenge and to help build a future for her four children.
“It’s a little bit of a competition for myself,” she said. “Like, if I can do it, why not try my best to achieve it?”
120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
As a command post controller, she assists in helping move information during emergencies and major events.
“Outside, obviously, I’m a nurse. Inside the Guard, I have nothing to do with the medical field, which is kind of amazing,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “It keeps me on my toes.”
She explained balancing the Guard, two civilian jobs and four children takes support from her family, her employers and her unit. She said Benefis and GFPS have been supportive of her military service.
Her nomination included her deployment experience, training work overseas and involvement across the wing. St. Lawrence-Brody said she deployed to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where she worked with an operations center supporting entities connected to Africa.
But, she says this recognition is not the finish line.
“This award, it’s not necessarily a landing pad for me,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “I want to use it as a springboard.”
120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
St. Lawrence-Brody hopes her story encourages others to keep taking on new opportunities, even when they feel uncertain.
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and be okay with doing things afraid,” she said. “I think when you get to be okay with doing things afraid, that’s where you’re going to find the growth.”
She has already won at the Air National Guard level, but she recently traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the broader Air Force Outstanding Airman of the Year process, which includes nominees from the Guard, Reserve and major commands across the Air Force.
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