Montana/Region

Another company seeks to buy idle Wyoming coal mines

Published on Fri, 09/20/2019 - 3:04pm
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CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Another company says it wants to buy two idle Wyoming coal mines.

Littleton, Colorado-based Aspen Coal and Energy has made an offer to buy the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr mines from Milton, West Virginia-based Blackjewel.

The mines have been idle since Blackjewel filed for bankruptcy July 1.

Aspen Coal proposes paying up to $44 million to a Blackjewel creditor and $50 million to the U.S. government, which Blackjewel owes mineral royalties.

Washington woman quits job, searches 57 days for missing dog

Published on Thu, 09/19/2019 - 3:07pm
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KALISPELL (AP) — After 57 days, a Washington woman’s exhaustive search for her missing border collie ended in tears of happiness when the pair were reunited in a Kalispell subdivision.

Carole King, of Deer Park, Washington, had traveled to Flathead County for a four-day getaway with her husband when the unthinkable happened. They arrived the night of July 20 and left their 7-year-old border collie, Katie, in their hotel room while they went out for dinner. When the couple returned to My Place Hotel in Kalispell, Katie was nowhere to be found.

Parks now allow e-bikes

Published on Thu, 09/19/2019 - 2:55pm

HELENA (AP) — National Park Service officials say motorized electric bicycles are now allowed in Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier national parks, along with Wyoming’s National Elk Refuge.

The joint announcement Thursday follows an order signed late last month by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt allowing the pedal bicycles with electric motors wherever traditional bikes can go in national parks.

REGION SHORTS

Published on Thu, 09/19/2019 - 2:45pm

Federal agency says Montana needs to replenish 911 account

MISSOULA (AP) — The Federal Communications Commission says Montana needs to return $2 million to the state’s 911 account.

The Missoulian reported Tuesday that the funds generated from 911 fees were placed in a state account holding $12 million in 2017.

State lawmakers transferred $2 million from the account to pay for buyouts in the Montana University System.

Rare California trout species returns to native habitat

Published on Wed, 09/18/2019 - 12:01am
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — For the first time in nearly a century, a rare California trout species will swim in a mountain creek that is its native habitat, marking a

REGION SHORTS

Published on Wed, 09/18/2019 - 12:00am

US approves releasing non-native insect to control thistle BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal officials have approved turning loose a non-native insect to feed on an invasive thistle that sprouts in

IN SHORT

Published on Wed, 09/18/2019 - 12:00am

Lawmaker says $75K state settlement will go to legal fees HELENA (AP) — The attorney for a Montana lawmaker who successfully sued the state over an ethics law says House

Legislators in Utah pass bill to sell heavier beer in stores

Published on Wed, 09/18/2019 - 12:00am

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah legislators have passed a measure to make it easier for businesses to prepare to sell higher-strength beer ahead of the Nov. 1 effective date.

Suit seeks to block gondola linking Lake Tahoe ski resorts

Published on Wed, 09/18/2019 - 12:00am

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A wilderness protection group has filed a lawsuit to try to block construction of a 2.2-mile long gondola that would pass through a national forest to

Governors like Bullock struggle under new rules in 2020 presidential race

Published on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 4:46pm
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As his 10 top competitors were in Houston prepping for a big night on national television last week, Democratic presidential candidate and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock was 900 miles north in a suburban Des Moines brewpub.

The governor wasn’t drowning his sorrows over failing to qualify for the primary debate, but he wasn’t exactly hiding his disappointment from the crowd that gathered to hear his pitch on a Thursday afternoon. “There may be one place I’d rather be than in Clive tonight,” he acknowledged.