Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Ten developments we’re watching today in Northern Cheyenne country, Montana and across the nation.
1. Northern Cheyenne appellate court issues major ruling
A Northern Cheyenne appellate ruling issued September 22 upheld an earlier decision voiding the 2025 special election and reaffirming the authority of council members who had been removed from office. The court said the Northern Cheyenne Constitution establishes procedures for removing elected council members and that those procedures were not followed. (Buffalo’s Fire)
The ruling answers important legal questions, but questions remain about how it will be implemented and what happens next with government operations, finances and services.
2. Traditional Cheyenne law remains part of the larger conversation
The current government dispute is also raising a deeper question about the relationship between the modern Northern Cheyenne constitutional government and traditional Cheyenne law.
Northern Cheyenne community member Lori Fourhorn, speaking in a recorded statement provided to Truth in Focus, said:
“I wish we could go back to that traditional law.”
She described some of the principles she associates with that system simply: “Don’t lie. Don’t steal. Be honest.”
Fourhorn’s comments represent her perspective, not a legal determination. But they raise an important question that deserves further reporting: What would returning to traditional Cheyenne ways of governance actually mean today, and how could those traditions coexist with the Tribe’s current Constitution?
The appellate ruling itself recognizes the present constitutional framework as controlling the disputed removal process. (Buffalo’s Fire)
3. Candidate forum information still needs verification
Truth in Focus has received information about a community candidate forum expected this week. We are working to independently confirm the organizer, date, time and location before publishing those details.
Once confirmed, we intend to treat it as a community-information event and, when possible, hear directly from participants.
4. BIA says it will strengthen Missing and Murdered Unit
Indian Affairs announced September 22 that it is taking steps to strengthen the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit following concerns raised by an Interior Department inspector general review.
The agency says the changes are intended to improve accountability and investigative support for missing and murdered American Indian and Alaska Native cases. (Indian Affairs)
Truth in Focus will watch for what, if anything, these changes mean for Montana and Northern Cheyenne families.
5. Additional federal funding announced for Tribal Colleges
The U.S. Department of Education announced a one-time award of more than $61 million in additional funding for Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities. (U.S. Department of Education)
A local follow-up question is whether Chief Dull Knife College will receive additional funding, how much it may receive and how those funds could be used.
6. Montana Medicaid enforcement changes arrive in October
Montana’s Medicaid Expansion community-engagement requirement generally calls for 80 hours per month of qualifying activity for adults who are subject to the rule.
The state says the July-through-September hold-harmless period ends in October, when noncompliance can begin resulting in denial or disenrollment. American Indian and Alaska Native members are specifically excluded from the community-engagement requirement. (Montana DPHHS)
Members should still watch their mail, keep contact information current and respond to eligibility notices.
7. CMS cancels more than 760,000 Marketplace enrollments
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced September 22 that it had canceled approximately 315,000 enrollments covering more than 760,000 people after CMS and insurers determined those enrollments were unauthorized.
CMS says the action is expected to return or avoid roughly $2.2 billion in federal premium-tax-credit payments. Those figures and the characterization of the enrollments come from CMS. (CMS)
8. Congress debates who should pay for AI data-center power needs
The U.S. House recently passed the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act 417–3. The measure is aimed at preventing infrastructure costs created by very large electricity users, including major data centers, from automatically being shifted onto ordinary utility customers.
The measure has not completed the legislative process; Senate action remains unresolved. (AP News)
For rural communities, the larger question is increasingly important: Who pays when enormous new electricity users require new generation, transmission and grid infrastructure?
9. New Medicaid drug-pricing model reaches all 50 states
The White House announced September 18 that all 50 state Medicaid programs will participate in the GENEROUS Medicaid Payment Model.
Under the program, participating pharmaceutical manufacturers are expected to provide rebates intended to bring prices for certain brand-name drugs closer to lower prices available in comparable developed countries. (The White House)
The next question for consumers is whether the program produces measurable savings for state Medicaid programs and changes patients’ real-world access or costs.
10. Presidential health and transparency watch: no meaningful new disclosure
Truth in Focus found no meaningful new physician report, medical examination result or other verified presidential health disclosure today that changes the existing public record.
The latest formal White House physician memorandum located in our review remains dated May 29, 2026. (The White House)
Truth in Focus will continue distinguishing documented medical information from political commentary, isolated video clips and unsupported medical speculation.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Truth in Focus is continuing to follow the Northern Cheyenne government dispute and appellate ruling; the role of traditional Cheyenne governance; community events and election information; tribal programs and services; Montana Medicaid changes; rural utility costs; federal tribal policy; and other issues affecting Eastern Montana.
Have a community notice, document, tip or story we should know about?
Truth in Focus
https://truthfocus.net
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