Montana/Region

63 Indian reservations join land program

Published on Tue, 05/17/2016 - 3:01pm

BILLINGS, Mont. — U.S. officials on Tuesday added 63 American Indian reservations to an initiative that seeks to return millions of acres of reservation land to the control of tribes and warned that the $1.9 billion program is running out of money.

Reservations in 16 states in the West and Midwest are joining the Interior Department's "Land Buyback Program."

The Associated Press obtained details in advance of a planned public announcement.

Wildfire-fighters warn 2016 could be bad in California

Published on Tue, 05/17/2016 - 3:00pm

California could face a dangerous and difficult wildfire season in 2016 despite a relatively wet winter, federal officials warned Tuesday.

Most of the rest of the nation is expected to see an average summer, but even that means thousands of wildfires, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said after a briefing from the U.S. Forest Service, which is part of his department.

A five-year drought has left 40 million dead and dried-out trees in California, including 29 million that died last year alone, Vilsack said.

Commission recommends increased funding for child protection

Published on Tue, 05/17/2016 - 2:59pm

HELENA, Mont. — The Division of Child and Family Services is facing an alarming caseload increase with inadequate resources and training, causing staff to burn out and quit, the Protect Montana Kids Commission found after a six-month study of the agency.

The commission is recommending the legislature increase funding for child protection and for the court system, prosecutors and public defenders' offices to help handle the increasing number of child abuse cases.

Powell hospital files for bankruptcy to deal with lawsuits

Published on Tue, 05/17/2016 - 2:58pm

POWELL, Wyo. — Officials say the hospital in Powell has sought bankruptcy protection in response to about 20 lawsuits over surgeries performed by an orthopedic surgeon who used to work there.

The Powell Tribune reports that Powell Valley Healthcare's board of directors approved filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday. The board said in a statement the lawsuits from former patients of Dr. Jeffrey Hansen prompted the bankruptcy filing.

In court filings, Hansen and the hospital have denied any wrongdoing or negligence.

Panel rejects move to triple wolf harvest near Yellowstone

Published on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 3:39pm
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BILLINGS, Mont. — A proposal to triple the number of wolves that hunters and trappers can kill just outside Yellowstone National Park was rejected Thursday by Montana wildlife commissioners.

Wildlife managers had recommended increasing the 2016 wolf quota for a hunting district near Gardiner from two animals to six. Agency officials had cited complaints from hunters and outfitters that the predators were eating too many elk.

Spokesman Ron Aasheim says the quota won't be final until the wildlife commission votes again in July.

Motorcyclist killed in crash with truck near Bozeman

Published on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 3:36pm

BOZEMAN, Mont. — A 50-year-old woman from Elgin, Illinois died when her motorcycle collided with a semi-trailer on U.S. Highway 191 near Big Sky in southwestern Montana.

The Montana Highway Patrol says the woman was southbound on a curve late Thursday morning when her motorcycle crossed the center line and collided head-on with the semi.

Gallatin County authorities said Jessica Gibb died at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

Montana officials defend stand in School Choice battle

Published on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 3:35pm

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Revenue defended its exclusion of religious schools in the state's School Choice program, saying that it was on sound legal footing in denying tax credits for donations to private scholarship funds later used at faith-based schools.

Medical marijuana supporters appeal Montana restrictions

Published on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 3:33pm

HELENA, Mont. — Advocates for medicinal marijuana in Montana are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a state court decision that drastically restricts the availability of the drug.

Fish and Wildlife Commission OKs agency land purchase

Published on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 3:33pm

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission on Thursday approved a proposal for the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to purchase nearly 9,500 acres of land from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation for $11.1 million.

The land is located within the Sun River, Beartooth and Blackleaf wildlife management areas in Lewis and Clark, Cascade and Teton counties, the Great Falls Tribune (http://gftrib.com/1s2FjWi) reported.

New state crime lab opens in Billings

Published on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 3:31pm

BILLINGS, Mont. — Officials say the state's opening of a new crime lab in eastern Montana will expedite the evidence identification process in small-scale drug cases.

The Billings Gazette reports that Montana Attorney General Tim Fox announced the crime lab's opening Thursday at the Billings Clinic. The opening of the lab comes after months of delays, and evidence is already starting to get processed at the facility.