Montana/Region

S. Dakota woman convicted in her baby’s 1981 death

Published on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 12:00am

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota woman was convicted of manslaughter Friday in the death of her newborn son whose body was discovered in a ditch 40 years ago.

South Moccasin Fire burns 12,000 acres

Published on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 12:00am
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The South Moccasin Fire that was discovered around 12:45 p.m. on Monday northwest of Lewistown burned an estimated 12,743 acres and is now considered 80% contained as of Friday.

Biden to restore 3 national monuments cut by Trump

Published on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 12:00am
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will restore two sprawling national monuments in Utah that have been at the center of a long-running public lands dispute, and a separate marine conservation area in New England that recently has been used for commercial fishing. Environmental protections at all three monuments had been stripped by former President Donald Trump.

Judge blocks new abortion laws amid legal challenge

Published on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 12:00am

HELENA (AP) — A judge has blocked three laws restricting abortion access in Montana while a legal challenge is underway.

Montana coal mine admits violating safety regulations

Published on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 12:00am

BILLINGS (AP) — A central Montana coal mine pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges the company violated environmental and employee safety regulations as part of a plea agreement that calls for a $1 million fine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Montana said.

Mainstream Republicans seek to ‘rescue’ Idaho — from the GOP

Published on Thu, 10/07/2021 - 2:57pm
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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho’s Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin wants to be the state’s governor after next year’s November elections. But when the man currently holding the job left town this week on official business, she decided not to wait. 

Legal firm sues Montana over law banning vaccine mandates

Published on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 3:19pm

HELENA (AP) — A Montana law firm is suing the state over a rule that bans businesses from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees.

This is the second lawsuit challenging the only law in the U.S. that prevents employers from mandating workers get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

7 passengers on derailed train sue Amtrak, BNSF Railway

Published on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 4:20pm
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HELENA (AP) — An Illinois law firm filed lawsuits Monday against Amtrak and BNSF Railway on behalf of seven passengers who were on an Amtrak train when it derailed in north-central Montana late last month, killing three and injuring dozens of others.

The lawsuits were filed in federal court in Illinois on behalf of a Massachusetts couple, a Pennsylvania couple, an Indiana couple and a Montana man who were all injured in the Sept. 25 derailment of an Empire Builder train near Joplin, Montana, Clifford Law Offices said.

Judge denies parents’ wish to halt mask mandates

Published on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:00am
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HELENA (AP) — A district judge in Missoula has denied a request by several parents to halt mask mandates in Missoula schools while a legal challenge of the mandates is underway.

Implementation of new Montana abortion laws delayed by district judge

Published on Fri, 10/01/2021 - 12:00am

HELENA (AP) — A judge granted Thursday evening a temporary restraining order delaying the implementation of three laws restricting abortion access in Montana, hours before the laws were set to go into effect.