February 2018

UM professor’s documentary about race in Montana to air statewide on Sunday

Montana Public Radio will broadcast a University of Montana-Missoula journalism professor’s documentary, “Facing Race,” as part of its observance of Black History Month.

UM School of Journalism Associate Professor Ray Fanning produced, reported and wrote the hourlong program, which airs at 6 p.m. Sunday on Montana Public Radio, according to a University of Montana news release.

Smithsonian Magazine publishes story on impact of former Miles City resident

The work and impact of a former Miles City resident and Montana State University-Bozeman alumnus was featured recently in a prominent national forum.

“You Should Thank Maurice Hilleman for Helping You Live Past the Age of 10”  was published Thursday, Feb. 15, in  Smithsonian Magazine. The article tells the story of  Maurice Hilleman, a 1941 Montana State alum who  dedicated his life to creating vaccines to eradicate childhood illnesses, according to a MSU News Service release.

Local Kiwanis members sponsor party for BUG achievers in elementary schools

BUG, or “Bring Up Grades,” is a Kiwanis International program sponsored locally by the Miles City Kiwanis. BUG is a program designed to provide recognition to students who raise their grades and maintain or continue to raise them from one grading period to the next, according to a news release from the Miles City Kiwanis.

Area students participate in state agriculture design contest

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Students in Custer County can be quite clever.

If you don’t believe it, check out the winning entries in this year’s Show Me Montana Agriculture Design Contest.

Sponsored by Montana Farm Bureau, the contest is designed for elementary students. There will be eight winning entries — one overall and one each in the seven elementary grades of K-6 — in the state.

As part of National Ag Week, scheduled March 18-24, the eight state winners will be selected from the entries from counties across the state.

Dollars for Scholarships to be held on Monday and Tuesday

The Custer County Educational Foundation (CCEF) will join with Custer County District High School (CCDHS) students for the annual Dollars for Scholarships phone-a-thon on Monday and Tuesday in Miles City. The event is celebrating its 27th anniversary.

From 7-8:30 p.m. each day CCDHS juniors and seniors will be calling on Miles City residents, asking for their support to help fund the CCEF mission. The money raised during the phone-a-thon is designated for the Dollars for Scholarships program, sponsored by CCEF to award scholarships to CCDHS graduates.

Zinke alters overhaul after pushback

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BILLINGS (AP) — U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is revamping a planned sweeping overhaul of his department with a new organizational map that more closely follows state lines instead of the natural boundaries he initially proposed, he told The Associated Press on Friday in an exclusive interview.

School Board calls for tax levies on Spring ballot

After receiving budget cuts from the state and with enrollment continuing to decrease, the Miles City Unified Board of Trustees made the decision this month to call for a tax levy election in both the elementary and high school districts.

During the Feb. 13 meeting, the board unanimously voted to call for operational, building reserve and technology fund tax levies for the elementary school district. The board also unanimously called for an operational tax levy for the high school district.

EU leaders can’t agree yet on post-Brexit budget

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders are unlikely to agree this year on a new multiyear budget that will plug a huge funding gap caused by Britain’s departure from the bloc, European Council President Donald Tusk said Friday.

Speaking after a summit of EU leaders — minus Britain’s prime minister — Tusk acknowledged divisions among the 27 nations but sought to paint an upbeat picture. He said leaders approached the budget negotiations with “open minds rather than red lines” and agreed the bloc will spend more on key issues such increased defense and stemming illegal migration.

Second judge says Trump can’t keep stalling clean-air rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — A second judge has told the Trump administration it can’t keep stalling clean-air rules for oil and gas production on federal lands.

US tightens sanctions on N.Korea

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration escalated pressure on North Korea Friday by slapping sanctions on scores of companies and ships accused of illicit trading with the pariah nation. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the U.S. has now blacklisted virtually all ships being used by the North.