March 2017

Looking back: Officials to discuss response to river closure

Last summer’s Yellowstone River closure had economic impacts up and down the river. 

Park County will host a meeting tomorrow night to review the impacts of the closure and how to handle similar emergencies, if they occur, in the future. 

Seventh-graders score big prizes at regional science fair

Sleeping Giant Middle School seventh-graders racked up the awards at the Billings Clinic Science Expo held Saturday at Montana State University-Billings, including two national awards presented to Nikolas Pierson by the Stockgrowers of America.

Nikolas, or “Nick” to his teachers and classmates, won an award from the Beartooth Stock Association and the Stock Raisers Achievement award. 

A look at how Trump's moves on coal will affect the industry

BILLINGS (AP) — President Donald Trump's move to roll back Obama-era regulations aimed at curbing climate change comes as the coal industry is reeling from bankruptcies, pollution restrictions and growing competition from natural gas, wind and solar.

The White House said the order, to be signed Tuesday, will trigger a review of the Clean Power Plan, which seeks to reduce power plant emissions, and will rescind a moratorium on the sale of coal mining leases on federal lands.

Here's a look about how the moves will affect the coal industry:

Ex-MSU student sues after expulsion over anti-trans opinions

BOZEMAN (AP) — A former Montana State University student has filed a lawsuit accusing the school of violating his rights by kicking him off campus after he made comments criticizing transgender people.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports the lawsuit claims MSU discriminated against the student on the basis of sex and violated his right to free speech.

MSU officials declined to comment the complaint, which was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Butte.

Spring weather starting to bring out bears in Montana

MISSOULA (AP) — Black bears and grizzly bears have started leaving their dens as spring weather has taken hold in western Montana.

The Missoulian reports  Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says residents should avoid attracting bears by taking down bird feeders, not leaving out garbage and cleaning up chicken and livestock feed.

Wildlife biologists say they've set a trap for one bear that's been spotted recently in Arlee but have had no luck catching the animal.

New Oklahoma State coach Boynton, 35, says he's ready

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Mike Boynton knows he has a rare opportunity for a young man, yet he feels his age doesn't matter.

Oklahoma State's new men's basketball coach was promoted from an assistant position last week after Brad Underwood left for Illinois.

At age 35, he feels ready and believes it was a matter of time before he'd get a chance to run a program.

"I don't think about my age when it comes to this thing," he said Monday at his introductory news conference.

Westbrook, Thunder top Mavs 92-91 with 14-0 finishing run

DALLAS (AP) — Russell Westbrook hit a pull-up jumper with seven seconds left and the Oklahoma City Thunder erased a 13-point deficit in the final four minutes to beat the Dallas Mavericks 92-91 on Monday night.

Westbrook scored 37 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, with 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his third straight triple-double and 37th of the season.

Gourde scores in OT, Lightning beat Blackhawks 5-4

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yanni Gourde's second career goal capped a tremendous comeback by the Tampa Bay Lightning against one of the NHL's elite teams.

Gourde had a breakaway goal 4:25 into overtime and the Lightning rallied from a three-goal deficit to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 on Monday night.

Playing in his 13th game this season and 15th overall, Gourde beat Scott Darling after Victor Hedman set up the winner with his third assist of the game.

"A pretty good moment," Gourde said. "It was a pretty amazing feeling."

NCAA Women: UConn, South Carolina, Miss State and Stanford in Final Four

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies have been on an unprecedented Final Four run, making it there 10 straight years.

This trip might have been the least expected of them.

With a trio of All-Americans lost to graduation, Auriemma had questions about his inexperienced group of Huskies. They answered every single one of them.

Gonzaga, Oregon, UNC and South Carolina head to the NCAA Final Four

The Associated Press

The Final Four is set. And in an unusual bit of geography, it’ll be schools from neighboring states out west (Oregon, Gonzaga) against schools from neighboring states in the east (North Carolina, South Carolina).

The national semifinals in Phoenix will feature No. 1 seeds in the Bulldogs and Tar Heels, a No. 3 seed in the Ducks and the surprising 7-seed Gamecocks.