Montana/Region

Montana resident being tested for virus

A person in Gallatin County is being evaluated at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital after becoming ill following travel to mainland China and will be tested for the novel coronavirus.

Oil from federal lands tops 1B barrels as Trump eases rules

Article Image Alt Text

BILLINGS (AP) — Oil production from U.S.- managed lands and waters topped a record 1 billion barrels last year, federal officials said Tuesday, as technological advances helped drive development in new areas and the Trump administration eases rules on the industry.

Montana tries to balance wildlife data and hunting ethics

HELENA (AP) — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ head of research Justin Gude scrolled the mouse across the computer screen, checking a couple of boxes as the map zeroed in on several GPS data points north of Livingston.

Montana has 4 flu-related deaths

BILLINGS (AP) — The state of Montana has recorded four flu-related deaths this season, with three of them happening in the week ending Feb. 1. The Department of Public Health and Human Services reports there were just under 1,000 cases of influenza reported during the last week in January, an increase from 800 cases the previous week. Last year’s flu season peaked during the week of Feb. 23. The health department says there’s been just over 4,000 flu cases since the season started in October and every county has reported at least one case. So far this season, 186 people have been hospitalized in Montana with the flu, The Billings Gazette reported. The deaths involve four adults, three over the age of 65, health officials said.

ACLU sues Montana over Keystone XL protest plans

HELENA (AP) — Civil liberties advocates are taking Montana officials to court to force the public release of documents detailing the government’s planned response to anticipated protests against the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Avalanche courses seek to bridge gender gap

Article Image Alt Text

KALISPELL (AP) — As Sarah Schmidt skinned beyond the boundary line of White Pass Ski Area in Washington with her two friends, they stopped at the peak that overlooked Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams and Mount Rainier on an unusually clear January day.

Infectious disease lab in Montana studying coronavirus

HAMILTON (AP) — An infectious disease lab in western Montana is joining the worldwide effort to study a coronavirus that originated in China, has infected over 28,000 people and killed more than 560.

No sanctions for lawmaker over socialism comments

HELENA (AP) — The speaker of the Montana House conceded Wednesday that the Legislature will likely do nothing to sanction a Republican state representative after the lawmaker refused calls to resign over his assertion that the U.S. Constitution allows socialists to be jailed or shot.

Hemp bill approved by House committee with Noem's support

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A House committee on Thursday unanimously approved a bill to legalize and regulate the growth, processing and transportation of industrial hemp in South Dakota.

Lawmaker rejects resigning over socialism comments

HELENA (AP) — A Montana lawmaker on Monday rejected legislative leaders’ call for his resignation over his assertion that the U.S. Constitution allows socialists to be jailed or shot.