Montana/Region

Biden revokes pipeline permit

Published on Thu, 01/21/2021 - 3:35pm
Article Image Alt Text

TORONTO (AP) — Construction on the long disputed Keystone XL oil pipeline halted Wednesday as incoming U.S. President Joe Biden revoked its permit on his first day in office.

The 1,700-mile pipeline was planned to carry roughly 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta to the Texas Gulf Coast, passing through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. 

“The Permit is hereby revoked,” Biden’s executive order says. “Leaving the Keystone XL pipeline permit in place would not be consistent with my Administration’s economic and climate imperatives.” 

Montana Republican lawmakers revive vetoed bills, focusing on abortion, guns

Published on Thu, 01/21/2021 - 3:33pm

HELENA (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Montana are pushing a series of bills that would limit abortion access and remove gun restrictions, hoping to capitalize on GOP control following the November election. 

Montana has a Republican governor for the first time in 16 years, opening the door to pass into law bills previously vetoed by Democratic governors. 

Republican lawmakers, who increased their majorities in the Senate and House in November, have promised to take advantage of their mandate to advance a conservative agenda.

Dillon man arrested in connection with riot

Published on Wed, 01/20/2021 - 4:43pm

A Dillon businessman who attended and allegedly entered the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots was arrested by local police Monday afternoon.

Henry “Hank” Muntzer, 52, was taken into custody by Dillon police officers at the request of federal agents around 5 p.m. Monday in downtown Dillon, Chief Don Guiberson said. 

Canada in touch with incoming Biden admin about oil pipeline

Published on Tue, 01/19/2021 - 3:25pm

By ROB GILLIES Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday his officials are in regular contact with U.S. President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration about a long disputed oil pipeline that reports say Biden will cancel on his first day in office. 

Montana’s National Bison Range transferred to tribes

Published on Mon, 01/18/2021 - 3:09pm
Article Image Alt Text

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Red Sleep Mountain began its official return to the Flathead Indian Reservation on Friday as Interior Secretary David Bernhardt signed papers transferring the National Bison Range to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Montana House passes bill to permit campus concealed carry

Published on Fri, 01/15/2021 - 3:48pm

HELENA (AP) — A bill that would expand the list of places in Montana where people can carry concealed firearms with and without permits passed Thursday in the Republican-controlled House, less than two weeks after the Legislature started its session.

Under existing law, concealed firearms are only allowed without permits in Montana outside of city limits. The bill would allow them to be carried without permits, including in the Montana Capitol, state and local government buildings and on public university campuses.

Groups ask court to restore protections for US gray wolves

Published on Thu, 01/14/2021 - 3:24pm

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife advocates on Thursday asked a federal court to overturn a U.S. government decision that stripped Endangered Species Act protections for wolves across most of the nation.

Two coalitions of advocacy groups filed lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Northern California seeking to restore safeguards for a predator that is revered by wildlife watchers but feared by many livestock producers.

Bill would allow domestic violence recordings as evidence

Published on Wed, 01/13/2021 - 4:34pm

HELENA (AP) — Montana lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow victims of domestic violence to secretly record phone calls or interactions with the perpetrator and use the recordings as evidence in court.

Under Montana law, it is illegal to record a conversation without the knowledge of all the parties involved. That means such recordings can’t be used as evidence in prosecuting domestic violence and other criminal cases. 

Study: Wildfires produced up to half of pollution in US West

Published on Tue, 01/12/2021 - 3:30pm
Article Image Alt Text

BILLINGS (AP) — Wildfire smoke accounted for up to half of all health-damaging small particle air pollution in the western U.S. in recent years as warming temperatures fueled more destructive blazes, according to a study released Monday.

Even as pollution emissions declined from other sources including vehicle exhaust and power plants, the amount from fires increased sharply, said researchers at Stanford University and the University of California, San Diego. 

Montana Legislature highly recommends face masks, for now

Published on Mon, 01/11/2021 - 12:00am
Article Image Alt Text

HELENA (AP) — Montana’s legislative leaders are highly recommending but not requiring face coverings for people participating in the Legislature, after Friday’s initial meeting of the body’s COVID-19 panel.