The Center Square) – Nearly a year after a nine-person jury found Greenpeace liable for $667 million in damages in a case related to the Dakota Access Pipeline, a North Dakota judge has said the environmental organization will soon be ordered to make good on the damages. In court papers filed Tuesday, Judge James Gion Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced a landmark settlement agreement with The Vanguard Group, Inc. this week, resolving allegations that the asset manager conspired to artificially constrict the coal market through anticompetitive trade practices. The settlement stems from a 2024 lawsuit filed by Knudsen against Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street Corporation. The suit alleged the firms Read More…
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines visited the Sibanye-Stillwater Columbus metallurgical complex last week, meeting with miners and touring operations as he praised recent federal trade action aimed at protecting Montana’s palladium industry. Daines credited Donald Trump for imposing a preliminary 132% tariff on Russian palladium imports, describing the move as a critical step toward leveling the Read More…
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on Thursday signed an executive order barring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from operating on city-owned property and directing local police to protect peaceful protesters during federal immigration enforcement actions. The order prohibits ICE agents from staging or conducting operations in city buildings, parks, shelters, parking facilities, libraries, and other municipal Read More…
HELENA – In a few weeks 27 young ladies from around the country will be vying for the title of Miss Rodeo America and one of those contestants is our very own Miss Rodeo Montana Kayla Seaman. The pageant will be held December 1st -9th at the Tropicana in Las Vegas in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo. She will go through eight days Read More…
In October of this year, the BLM released an environmental assessment for adding more wind turbines to Wyoming’s Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project. BLM Rawlins Field Manager Dennis Carpenter, was quoted then in a BLM press release when he said, “The project fulfils many of the agency’s priorities, including sustainably developing energy resources, modernizing Read More…
By: MIRIAM CAMPANReporterFriday, November 15, 2019 Dr. Cassandra Lopez has recently joined the staff at the Central Montana Medical Center. Photo by Miriam Campan “They convinced me to come out and interview. The job here was just too good to pass up,” said Dr. Cassandra “Cassie” Lopez, who joined CMMC on Nov. 1. When Tori Poser Read More…
BUTTE, Mont. — A rescue mission in Butte is opening a “low-barrier” homeless shelter to take in persons who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Montana Standard reports the Butte-Rescue Mission is opening the shelter Friday at the urging of Silver Bow County officials and community leaders. Modular units in the city Read More…
FARGO — After a year of construction, the 18-story Block 9 building in downtown Fargo reached its full height of 235 feet when the roof was poured Thursday, Nov. 14. The structure that is changing the city’s skyline is now the second-tallest building in the state behind the state Capitol. A flag has been hung on the Read More…
CASPER – Gov. Mark Gordon said he “firmly supports” the state Health Department’s director amid allegations that a 2015 Medicaid fraud investigation was obstructed by various government officials, a charge that has been denied by those involved. “The Governor firmly supports Mike Ceballos, the Director of the Wyoming Department of Health and his ability to Read More…
On any given day, thousands of packages from Walmarts, Targets, and stores around the country travel north along a two-lane road out of Billings, Montana — past the Tumbleweed Saloon, past cows grazing on empty rangeland, past the Busy Bee Cafe and stands of short pines — to the town of Roundup, where they will be Read More…
The owner of three struggling Powder River basin coal mines says it’s negotiating with a new broker to back the bonds required to keep the mines operating after the Navajo Nation said it’s pulling its financial support. Erny Zah, a spokesman for the Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC), said Wednesday the firm doesn’t foresee a Read More…
Two grizzly bears have been killed in northwest Montana, one by a hunter and one by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. Information and Program Manager for District One, Dillon Tabish provides details. “We had an adult male grizzly bear that was euthanized this weekend near Libby after he broke into a garage seeking a food Read More…
By: CHARLIE DENISON ReporterTuesday, November 12, 2019 Local veteran and American Legion Post 16 Vice Commander John Payne plays “Taps” to conclude the Bells of Peace ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park Monday (Veterans Day). American Legion Post 16 Commander Bryan Armour spoke during the commemoration. The Honor Guard also paid their respects. Photo by Charlie Denison Read More…
Moore’s Mamie Hertel will represent National FFA as the central region vice president during the 2019-2020 year. Photo courtesy of FFA Sat, 11/09/2019 – 5:00am Moore’s Mamie Hertel has done it again. Hertel is the first female from the state of Montana to be elected as a national officer in FFA. Just prior to Read More…
Lewistown women choose military serviceBy: MIRIAM CAMPANReporterFriday, November 8, 2019 Roberta Mae Deal (left) not only served in the WAACs, but was also a model for recruiting more women (not to mention selling Grapette soda pop). Image courtesy of Miriam Deal Campan Army reservist Sandy Alexander, now Sandy Youngbauer, stands at a camp in Saudi Arabia Read More…
The head of North Dakota’s Commerce Department has personally retained an attorney amid a criminal investigation into audit findings of potential state law violations. Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer appeared Wednesday before the Legislature’s Audit and Fiscal Review Committee to answer lawmakers’ questions related to audit findings that agency officials mishandled appropriations and also skirted public Read More…
MEXICO CITY — A Williston, N.D., woman and four of her children were among those killed during a series of brutal attacks in northern Mexico on Monday, Nov. 4, according to a family member’s Facebook post. The onslaught has sent shock waves through two countries and prompted impassioned responses from political leaders. Kenny LeBaron Read More…
KEMMERER, Wyoming. — The Lincoln County, Wyoming Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a couple in Star Valley. A news release from the sheriff’s office indicates deputies were doing a welfare check at a home on Alta Drive just before noon Monday. When deputies arrived, no one answered the door so they entered the Read More…
IDAHO FALLS – Police in Idaho are looking for information after equipment was stolen from a Montana fire crew on their way home from fighting fires in California. According to a Facebook post from the Idaho Falls Police Department, a crew stopped at the Super 8 in Idaho Falls to spend the night Sunday. Sometime between Read More…
In a decade when many American universities are struggling with falling enrollment, Montana State University’s student population has grown, along with its graduation numbers and spending on instruction. MSU’s fall report card on itself also showed that while the Bozeman campus still has more tenured and tenure-track faculty than non-tenured or adjunct instructors, the Read More…
A local businesswoman and activist in Havre has been recognized on the floor of the Senate. The office of U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said he recognized Havre’s Dottie Wilson for her tremendous impact on the state of Montana in his “Montanan of the Week” this week. Each week Daines highlights a Montanan by submitting Read More…
By: CHARLIE DENISON Senior ReporterTuesday, November 5, 2019 Lori Byron, left, and husband Robert delivered a presentation on how climate change impacts public health during the Rotary Club’s meeting Monday at the Elks. Photo by Charlie Denison Before every Rotary International meeting in Lewistown, Rotarians recite the four-way test, which they consider an ethical guide for Read More…
Local five-year-old beats cancerBy: CHARLIE DENISON Senior ReporterTuesday, November 5, 2019 Daizee Dae Douglass celebrates being cancer free at Billings Clinic Thursday, Oct. 3. Photo courtesy of Tammy Jo Douglass Five-year-old Daizee Dae Douglass has not had the most ordinary childhood. In June of 2017, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and she’s been going Read More…
By: CHARLIE DENISON Senior ReporterFriday, November 1, 2019 A sign on Highway 87 west of town directs travelers to Main Street, part of local tourism efforts. Photo by Deb Hill Jan Stoddard How do we bring more tourist dollars to Lewistown? Much discussion took place on this topic Thursday morning at Central Feed Grilling Co. during Read More…
BILLINGS, Mont. — The Defense Department says a soldier from Montana — 23-year-old Nathaneil G. Irish — has died as a result of a non-combat related incident in Iraq. According to Sgt. Irish’s Facebook page, he was a proud Senior Bronc, attending the high school from 2010 to 2013. Several posts on his Facebook page indicate Sgt. Read More…
A Montana hunter shot and killed a grizzly bear Saturday in apparent self-defense, bringing to three the number of “human-caused” grizzly bear deaths to have occurred during the past week. Saturday’s incident occurred in the Eureka Basin of the south Gravelly Mountains. The hunter, who was not injured, contacted the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Read More…
BOISE, Idaho — Governor Brad Little approved an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) agreement with California to assist with recovery efforts following wildfires. “Idaho has an amazing depth of emergency management professionals that are willing to step up and help our fellow Americans during their times of need,” Governor Little said. “Their skills and expertise Read More…
BILLINGS — Protesters briefly disrupted a public meeting on the Keystone XL pipeline in Billings Tuesday night, arguing the project is bad for Montana lands and the meeting format did not allow for open dialogue. About an hour after the meeting started at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, some demonstrators moved inside to argue Read More…
HELENA, Mont. — The state of Montana has spent more than $2 million on snow plowing so far this year surpassing what costs were this time over the last two years. The Independent Record reported Tuesday that snow plowing costs for the state Department of Transportation increased by more than 250% since last year. Department officials Read More…
What’s your least favorite Halloween candy?By: MIRIAM CAMPANReporterTuesday, October 29, 2019 Bre Warren and Eevee the dog: “Whoppers. I’ve never liked them.” Chelsea Kilgore: “Dots. They stick to your teeth.” Laura Flugge: “Black licorice. I used to own a restaurant and I like real licorice flavor, but not the fake flavor of black licorice.” Ralph Mihlfeld: Read More…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon announced today he has appointed Greg Lanning Wyoming State Engineer. Lanning takes over for Pat Tyrrell, who retired in January after serving as State Engineer for 18 years. The State Engineer is a position established by the Wyoming Constitution and has a term of six years. The State Engineer serves Read More…
HELENA – Today, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality reached a short-term agreement with the Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) that ensures compliance with the State’s mining and environmental laws, and allows coal production to resume at the Spring Creek Mine in Big Horn County, Montana. On Thursday, NTEC assumed ownership of the coal mine Read More…
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — An unpiloted Air Force X-37B spaceplane, one of two winged orbiters used to carry out classified research, made a surprise landing at the Kennedy Space Center early Sunday to close out a record 780-day mission. It was the fifth flight in the secretive Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) program, pushing total Read More…
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) is seeking a potential buyer for its roughly 60,000 barrel per day Billings, Montana refinery, according to three sources familiar with Exxon’s plans. Representatives for large refiners, including Valero Energy Corp (VLO.N) and Marathon Petroleum Corp (MPC.N), have toured the refinery, two of the people said, speaking Read More…
In the summer of 2007, an independent energy company installed a meteorological tower to test the wind conditions on a ranch in Carbon County. The results revealed what most residents living in and around Rawlins already knew: The site boasted ferocious wind speeds, making it an ideal spot to build one of the country’s most Read More…
BILLINGS, Mont. — A Montana landowner is suing the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service to halt the hunting of bison just outside Yellowstone National Park’. The complaint filed by Gardiner, Montana landowner Bonnie Lynn and Neighbors Against Bison Slaughter contends the agencies have failed to analyze the consequences of the hunt on private property Read More…
According to the Montana Census Complete Count Committee, Montana will need thousands of U.S. Census workers to help complete the 2020 census. The census helps determine how much federal money Montana will receive for things like infrastructure, medical assistance, educational programs, and public assistance. Currently, Montana receives about $2 billion in federal funds each year Read More…
A Helena man is accused of filming himself undressing a girl under the age of 16. 20-year-old Ching Man Chan has been charged with one count of sexual abuse of children , a felony. Chan allegedly filmed himself lifting the bra off a underage girl. His bond was set at $25,000 and he will make a plea Read More…
FARGO, N.D. — Microsoft Corp. on Thursday, Oct. 17, announced a $1.5 million, three-year investment into the Fargo-based tech firm Emerging Prairie to help build what Microsoft calls the farm of the future at Emerging Prairie’s Grand Farm project. Among the dignitaries attending the event at the Microsoft campus in Fargo were North Dakota Gov. Read More…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Wyoming officials say a Cheyenne man has grown a pumpkin that weighs in at 1,491 pounds, a new state record. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported Thursday Andy Corbin grew the gourd in his backyard. For perspective, scientists say newborn elephants weigh about 200 pounds on average. READ FULL STORY
A Boeing pilot warned about problems with the flight-control program on the 737 Max that was implicated in two fatal crashes, said he “unknowingly” lied to regulators, and told the Federal Aviation Administration not to include the system in pilot manuals before regulators deemed the plane safe for the public in 2017, according to messages released Friday. The messages Read More…
Mark Juras of Montana completed his 3,500-mile rowing adventure Thursday that took him from the Treasure State to the Gulf of Mexico in about four months, and reinforced claims about the astounding power of Gorilla Tape. “I finally made it to the ocean today,” the 32-year-old Great Falls resident said in a telephone interview. “It Read More…
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The world’s first all-female spacewalking team made history high above Earth on Friday, replacing a broken part of the International Space Station’s power grid. NASA astronauts Christina Koch, who resides in Livingston, Montana, and Jessica Meir completed the job with wrenches, screwdrivers and power-grip tools, it marked the first time in a Read More…