Montana/Region

Former county attorney says judge can't dismiss rape case

Published on Thu, 05/26/2016 - 4:04pm

MISSOULA, Mont.  — A state judge has no authority to grant a motion to dismiss a 2002 rape case, the former Missoula County attorney said when given a change to respond to the motion.

Montana power plant needs new operator by May 2018

Published on Wed, 05/25/2016 - 5:00pm

BILLINGS, Mont. — Owners of a coal-fired power plant in Montana say the company that keeps it running wants out within two years.

Pennsylvania-based Talen Energy owns a share of the Colstrip plant and operates the entire facility. Talen officials told the Billings Gazette (http://bit.ly/1ONny2i) Tuesday that the company's role as operator is not economically viable and the plant's five owners will need a new manager by May 2018.

Charges made against convicted tribal leader's company

Published on Wed, 05/25/2016 - 4:58pm

HELENA, Mont. — Representatives of a pipe company started with money embezzled from the Chippewa Cree Tribe pleaded guilty Wednesday to falsely claiming to be a minority-owned business controlled by a former tribal leader who was later convicted in a corruption investigation.

1st US firefighters head to Canada to help attack huge blaze

Published on Wed, 05/25/2016 - 4:56pm
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BOISE, Idaho— For the first time, U.S. officials have sent firefighters to help battle a giant blaze in Canada that has destroyed parts of Fort McMurray in Alberta.

The National Interagency Fire Center says 100 firefighters flew out of in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday morning and another 100 left from Missoula, Montana.

Officials say the firefighters are from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service.

Trump backed by US Rep. Zinke on eve of Montana rally

Published on Wed, 05/25/2016 - 4:52pm
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BILLINGS, Mont. — Rep. Ryan Zinke on Wednesday became the most prominent Montana Republican to endorse Donald Trump, one day before the presumptive nominee for the Republican presidential nomination arrives to rally supporters in the Treasure State.

Amid speculation about who Trump will enlist as part of his administration, Zinke, a former U.S. Navy SEAL officer, has said he would serve under Trump if called upon — perhaps as the New York businessman's vice presidential pick or as Secretary of Defense.

Federal judge rejects Wyoming air ambulance regulation

Published on Wed, 05/25/2016 - 4:32pm

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A federal judge has rejected a Wyoming law that sought to limit how much air ambulance companies can charge the state for transporting workers injured on the job — the second such ruling in recent months.

U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson of Cheyenne last week sided with four air ambulance companies that sued the state. Johnson ordered Wyoming officials not to try to enforce a state law that sought to cap air ambulance fees.

For Montana Dems, legislative races are hardly heating up

Published on Wed, 05/25/2016 - 4:30pm
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HELENA, Mont. — Montana Democrats may be boasting about party unity as they delight in watching rival Republicans fracture over ideology and bipartisanship. There are no declarations of party civil wars. Even so, Democrats have more than a dozen primary contests of their own.

Wages, jobs lead governor's race as campaign reports filed

Published on Tue, 05/24/2016 - 2:55pm
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HELENA, Mont. — Money, wages and jobs dominated Montana's gubernatorial race on Monday, as Gov. Steve Bullock and Republican Greg Gianforte filed their latest campaign finance reports and as both continued to make high-paying jobs a central issue of the campaign.

Off-track Yellowstone visitors not being pursued

Published on Tue, 05/24/2016 - 2:52pm

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — U.S. authorities say they will not try to force four men accused of walking onto a sensitive hot spring at Yellowstone National Park to return from their homes in Canada for prosecution.

The men are charged with misdemeanors that don't meet the legal standard to force their return to face prosecution, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Wyoming said.

"That's not anything that's extraditable usually from another state, let alone another country," spokesman John Powell said.

Montana lawyers argue to stay ruling on contribution limits

Published on Tue, 05/24/2016 - 2:50pm

HELENA, Mont. — A federal judge is considering a request by state attorneys to issue a stay on part of his ruling last week that invalidated campaign contribution limits approved by Montana voters in 1994.

U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell peppered Montana Department of Justice lawyers with questions during a hearing Tuesday, but he did not make an immediate ruling.

Last week, Lovell ruled for the second time in four years that Montana's campaign contribution limits are unconstitutional.