News

Trump, aiming to widen support, makes pitch to Hispanics

Published on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 4:53pm

TAMPA, Florida — Visiting a battleground state he can't afford to lose, Donald Trump promised Hispanics "a much better life" on Wednesday in a Florida speech that continued his recent effort to soften his tone and broaden his support 11 weeks before the presidential election.

The Republican presidential candidate also repeated his promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border to keep out immigrants, underscoring the tricky balancing act he faces in retaining backing from conservatives while beckoning to moderates for their votes.

Crews battling 35 large, uncontained wildfires in the West

Published on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 4:46pm
Article Image Alt Text

BOISE, Idaho — Thirty-five large, uncontained wildfires are burning in the West, and firefighters are making initial attacks on another 112 new fires trying to prevent them from getting big.

Firefighters in the region mostly faced continued windy, dry conditions Wednesday that have fanned flames that destroyed buildings and forced evacuations in California, Washington, Idaho and elsewhere.

Yellowstone tourists face detour for fire but landmarks open

Published on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 4:44pm

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — Some tourists heading to Yellowstone National Park during the busy summer season are facing an hourlong detour Wednesday as a wildfire in neighboring Grand Teton National Park kept a highway closed.

Major tourist areas in both parks are open as the National Park Service holds events to celebrate its 100th anniversary this week. A route leading into Yellowstone's South Entrance was shut down, so visitors coming from the south through Wyoming had to detour into Idaho.

Anti-pot initiative sponsor gives up Montana ballot effort

Published on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 4:43pm

HELENA, Mont. — The sponsor of a proposed initiative to repeal Montana's medical marijuana law said Wednesday he won't appeal a judge's refusal to place the measure on November's ballot, but instead will focus on defeating a separate initiative to expand medical pot distribution.

Billings car dealer Steve Zabawa told The Associated Press in an interview that there isn't enough time for him to appeal to the Montana Supreme Court before Secretary of State Linda McCulloch's office certifies the ballots and sends them for printing.

Gianforte: Sell state plane, ground Bullock

Published on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 4:42pm

HELENA, Mont. — Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte on Wednesday accused Gov. Steve Bullock of misusing a Montana-owned airplane and said, if elected, he would sell it and spend the savings to expand computer science in high schools.

Gianforte, speaking during a news conference in Helena, said his Democratic opponent has used the plane to attend campaign events, a 2014 Paul McCartney concert and for short trips that could easily be made by car.

Hilton settles lawsuit over seized tips for servers

Published on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 4:32pm

BILLINGS, Mont. — Hilton Garden Inn and the hotel's management company have settled a lawsuit alleging the hotel chain failed to give its servers their tip money.

The Billings Gazette reports that the Hilton and the Gateway Hospitality Group agreed to pay $4 million in lost wages and penalties after it was found that Hilton hotels in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula and Kalispell were keeping a service fee.

About 550 people will receive compensation from the lawsuit, with checks for lost wages ranging from $7 to $86,000.

Park County Lockup List

Published on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 3:38pm

Following is the latest report of bookings, releases from the Park County Detention Center.

An Evening at the Arch

Published on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 3:32pm
Article Image Alt Text

One of Yellowstone National Park’s  biggest events in recent memory, “An Evening at the Arch,” will be held Thursday in Gardiner as part of the National Park Service centennial celebration, with Livingston planning on holding smaller events.

The evening in Gardiner begins at 7 p.m. with various speakers kicking off the program. They include both Wyoming and Montana governors; National Park Service and Yellowstone officials; and the great-great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt V. The master of ceremonies will be actor Bill Pullman.

Complaint filed by local PSC candidate dismissed

Published on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 3:31pm

The Montana Commissioner on Political Practices has dismissed a complaint by a local candidate for the Public Service Commission that she was not told in advance that most of the costs of a training she attended would count as a political in-kind donation. 

FWP encourages people to keep dogs away from dead fish

Published on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 3:17pm
Article Image Alt Text

If you’re walking your dog along the Yellowstone River during the current river closure, don’t let it eat any dead fish.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is urging the public to keep pets out of contact with fish carcasses along the banks of the Yellowstone River.  While the microscopic parasite associated with this fish kill has not been shown to cause health problems in humans or pets, bacteria or other harmful materials associated with decomposing fish could sicken pets, an FWP news release states.