Montana/Region

Biden sets out oil, gas leasing reform, stops short of ban

Published on Fri, 11/26/2021 - 12:00am
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday recommended an overhaul of the nation’s oil and gas leasing program to limit areas available for energy development and raise costs for oil and gas companies to drill on public land and water.

Federal agent charged with pulling work gun on Bozeman bar patron

Published on Wed, 11/24/2021 - 12:00am

BOZEMAN (AP) — A Drug Enforcement Administration agent from Colorado was charged Tuesday with felony assault with a weapon for reportedly pulling his government-issued handgun on a man at a Bozeman bar while he was intoxicated.

Over $4 million to be invested in reducing crime in Billings

Published on Wed, 11/24/2021 - 12:00am

BILLINGS (AP) — The state of Montana, Yellowstone County and Billings are investing more than $4 million over the next three years to fight and prosecute crimes in the Billings area, the governor’s office announced.

Missoula woman charged for allegedly killing her children

Published on Wed, 11/24/2021 - 12:00am

MISSOULA (AP) — A Montana woman accused of stabbing her two small children was kept behind bars Monday on a $10 million bail by a judge who called her a great risk to the community and also ordered a mental health evaluation.

Montana man pleads guilty to pandemic relief loan fraud

Published on Wed, 11/24/2021 - 12:00am

BILLINGS (AP) — The owner of an eastern Montana restaurant pleaded guilty Tuesday to spending $75,000 from a federal COVID-19 relief loan to buy vintage automobiles rather than using it as working capital for his business, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.

Some coal-fired power plants to close after new rule

Published on Tue, 11/23/2021 - 12:00am
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Climate change isn’t what’s driving some U.S. coal-fired power plants to shut down. It’s the expense of stricter pollution controls on their wastewater.

Wyoming town officials ‘ecstatic’ about landing nuke project

Published on Tue, 11/23/2021 - 12:00am

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — With just four years left before its coal plant shutters, the southwestern Wyoming town of Kemmerer, population 2,750, has been bracing for a seemingly inevitable loss.

Idaho creates chronic wasting disease management zone

Published on Tue, 11/23/2021 - 12:00am

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has designated a chronic wasting disease management zone in north-central Idaho, allowing hunts to kill up to 1,000 deer to determine the extent of the disease.

Colstrip residents sue for coal dust in the air

Published on Tue, 11/23/2021 - 12:00am
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COLSTRIP — Richard Burnett runs his finger along the hotel he owns in Colstrip. His index finger is covered with something that looks a little like dirt, but not quite.

Program in Big Sky works to increase rental availability

Published on Mon, 11/22/2021 - 12:00am

BOZEMAN (AP) — A program in the resort community of Big Sky that offers landlords cash to convert vacation rentals or seasonal homes into long-term homes for locals converted 21 homes and housed 58 locals in its first three months.