Montana/Region

Montana man pleads not guilty in US Capitol breach

Published on Mon, 03/29/2021 - 3:46pm

MISSOULA (AP) — A Montana man who federal prosecutors have said was among the first people to breach the U.S. Capitol while Congress was certifying the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6 has pleaded not guilty to several charges and is asking the judge to release him from custody pending trial so he can provide for his family.

Jerod Hughes, 36, of East Helena entered his not guilty pleas Thursday during a video hearing, NBC Montana  reported.

Gianforte completes state-mandated course, calls wolf trapping violation ‘slight misstep’

Published on Fri, 03/26/2021 - 3:42pm
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By Arren Kimbel-Sannit
Daily Montanan

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte this week successfully completed the state-mandated course that he had to take after receiving a warning from the state Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department in February for trapping and killing a wolf without the proper certification.

A spokesman for the department confirmed that Gianforte completed the wolf trapping certification class on Wednesday. The class covers state law around trapping, the ethics of the practice, wolf management and conservation and other areas.

Noem wants change to medical marijuana rules

Published on Fri, 03/26/2021 - 3:40pm

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem on Friday pitched lawmakers a proposal that would limit parts of a voter-passed law legalizing medical marijuana in South Dakota, but she conceded that the drug will become legal for patients on July 1.

The Republican governor previously pushed the Legislature to delay implementation of the state’s medical marijuana program by a year so that a committee could study the issue. But Senate Republicans scuttled that effort.

Infamous Billings mansion, built with stolen money, sold

Published on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 3:38pm
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BILLINGS (AP) — A 26,000-square-foot mansion built with stolen money on the west side of Billings has been sold for $7.5 million to the former owners of a mobile home park, a real estate company said.

The sale of the 10-bedroom, 19-bathroom residence to Jock and Cathy Clause closed last week, according to Engel & Voelkers Western Frontier, the real estate agency managing the sale. 

Snowboarders manage to escape monster avalanche, but not the law

Published on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 3:36pm
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DENVER (AP) — Tyler DeWitt and Evan Hannibal were slowly making their way down a windswept slope during a backcountry snowboarding excursion in Colorado last spring when the shallow snow beneath them shifted and broke loose.

“Avalanche!” shouted DeWitt.

Hannibal’s helmet cam captured the moment and the tense, profanity-laced exchange that followed as the slide near the Continental Divide gained momentum.

North Dakota warned Ten Commandments bill will spur lawsuits

Published on Wed, 03/24/2021 - 3:54pm

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A proposal in North Dakota to shield schools and teachers from lawsuits arising from posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms is unconstitutional and would spur costly and unwinnable legal fights, attorneys and education officials told state lawmakers Wednesday.

Prosecution, sentencing and expungement questions remain

Published on Wed, 03/24/2021 - 3:52pm

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fifth in a series about the recent legalization of marijuana in Montana.

Hunter Herbaugh
Yellowstone Newspapers
 

With new marijuana laws coming into effect in the state after the passage of Ballot Initiative 190, there is a different bar to meet before marijuana activity crosses into illegal territory; it can still happen, but what happens to those people who have previously been arrested and convicted for activities that are now legal?

Explainer: Why is Biden halting federal oil and gas sales?

Published on Tue, 03/23/2021 - 3:44pm
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BILLINGS, (AP) — President Joe Biden  shut down oil and gas lease sales from the nation’s vast public lands and waters in his first days in office, citing worries about climate change. Now his administration has to figure out what do with the multibillion-dollar program without crushing a significant sector of the U.S. economy — and while fending off sharp criticism from congressional Republicans and the oil industry.

Gianforte issued warning after trapping, killing wolf

Published on Tue, 03/23/2021 - 3:43pm

Gov. Greg Gianforte was issued a written warning after he trapped and killed a wolf on Feb. 15 without taking a state-mandated educational course.

The governor trapped and killed a six-year-old black wolf known as “1155” on a private ranch owned by Robert E. Smith, according to an article from Boise State Public Radio, which first reported the violation.

Smith is the Sinclair Broadcasting Group director and donated thousands of dollars to Gianforte’s failed 2017 congressional campaign, according to the article.

Meow mates: Program brings rescue cats to Wyoming jail

Published on Mon, 03/22/2021 - 3:21pm
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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Laramie County jail has a new resident – a cat.

Black Dog Animal Rescue and the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department have partnered to begin “Meow Mates,” a program that will get foster cats out of a potentially stressful shelter environment, and allow them to be socialized with jail inmates who have been cleared to care for them. After a period of time, the cats will be eligible for adoption to new homes.