April 2016

Lawyer: Author Jon Krakauer, public deserve to see records

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 5:07pm

BOZEMAN, Mont. — "Into the Wild" author Jon Krakauer and the public deserve to know why the University of Montana reversed its decision in 2012 to expel a star quarterback who was accused of rape, an attorney for the writer told the Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Krakauer watched from the audience as lawyer Mike Meloy spoke to the justices before a packed Montana State University auditorium. Meloy asked the court to uphold a lower judge's ruling to release the documents about former quarterback Jordan Johnson's disciplinary proceedings.

PSC considers changing rules governing power shut-off

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 5:04pm

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Public Service Commission is considering changing the administrative rules governing when utilities can shut off electric service for non-payment during the winter, including shortening the five-month moratorium to three months so customers can't accrue overwhelming overdue bills.

Car strikes and kills bison near West Yellowstone

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 5:01pm

BILLINGS, Mont. — Two brothers escaped injury when their car struck and killed a bison near West Yellowstone.

The Montana Highway Patrol says the brothers, ages 26 and 17, were northbound on U.S. Highway 191 at about 10:15 p.m. Tuesday when they hit the adult bison.

Trooper Marcus Cook tells The Billings Gazette (http://bit.ly/1VC6oft ) their car was "pretty well smashed to bits," but they were wearing their seat belts, the air bags deployed and the brothers were not injured.

Ex-UM football player to be paroled after completing program

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 5:00pm

MISSOULA, Mont. — A former University of Montana football player who pleaded guilty to rape in 2010 will be granted parole after he completes a pre-release program in Billings.

The Missoulian reports that the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole decided Thursday to allow Beau Donaldson to be released on parole after he finishes his time at the Billings Pre-Release Center.

Woman pleads not guilty to murder in Montana baby's death

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 4:59pm

BILLINGS, Mont. — A woman on a Montana American Indian reservation pleaded not guilty to murder Tuesday in the alleged beating death of a 13-month-old relative who was under her care, court officials said.

Janelle Red Dog, 42, is accused of striking and killing Kenzley Olson, then putting her body in a trash dumpster before reporting the girl missing April 19.

Judge Marvin Youpee denied bond for Red Dog and ordered her back into custody pending a May hearing, according to the Fort Peck Tribal Court clerk's office.

Supreme Court considers lowering score required to pass bar

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 4:56pm

BILLINGS, Mont. — The state Supreme Court is accepting public comment on a proposal to lower the score aspiring attorneys need to pass the bar exam in Montana.

The Montana Board of Bar Examiners petitioned the Supreme Court to raise the passing score by 10 points a few years ago. The change was made in 2013, partly because only a handful of states had bar exam passing scores equal to or lower than Montana's, which was 260. The board didn't want Montana to have the reputation as being an easy place to pass the bar.

Protecting the Montana way of life

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 4:48pm

In Montana, the land is our livelihood and provides us our unique way of life. As a fifth-generation Montanan and avid sportsman, I know hunting, fishing and access to public lands is an important treasure for our families. As a kid I hunted in the Bridgers, backpacked in the Beartooths, and fished the streams of southwest Montana with my grandfather and my dad — and still do with my own family.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Kids might gripe at first, but healthy school lunches are best

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 4:45pm

When the U.S. Department of Agriculture handed down stricter standards for school lunches, many feared kids would resist the change, that they might turn up their noses at the healthier food choices and instead come to school with sugary treats and potato chips.

The new standards took effect when students started classes the previous school year. And sadly, there was some of that. Our story about school-lunch changes received several negative comments from readers.

Support elementary schools levy

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 4:40pm

Editor:

The elementary schools in our district continue to serve a wide range of learners, and Winans, Washington, East Side and Sleeping Giant have implemented programs that reach the academic and social emotional needs of all students.

These practices, combined with continued growth in parental involvement, have placed our elementary schools on an excellent trajectory. This is reflected in awards received by our teachers, increased test scores for students and integrated programs with a caring community.

Response to Farm to School stories

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 4:39pm

Editor:

Thank you for printing such positive stories around Farm to School (F2S) efforts happening in our schools! During this ambitious new era of F2S, I’d like to correct a few details that were printed in last Thursday’s articles, however.