Montana

‘Wilderness Walks’ unveil beauty of Eastern Montana

By: Ed Kemmick | May 3, 2017

Starting this Sunday and continuing through the end of September, a series of “Wilderness Walks” will be offered at 10 locations in Eastern Montana and northern Wyoming. You could probably tell what part of Montana many of these walks are in just by glancing at their names: Bitter Creek, West Crooked Creek, Terry Badlands, Tongue River Breaks and Chain Buttes. A lot of the places are spectacular, but in subtler ways than places like Paradise Valley or Glacier National Park are spectacular. (more…) Continue Reading →

UM scientist: Cassini mission shows value of exploration

By: Dan Reisenfeld | April 24, 2017

Cassini is the most sophisticated space probe ever built. Launched in 1997 as a joint NASA/European Space Agency mission, it took seven years to journey to Saturn. It’s been orbiting the sixth planet from the sun ever since, sending back data of immense scientific value and images of magnificent beauty. Cassini now begins one last campaign. Dubbed the Grand Finale, it will end on Sept. 15 with the probe plunging into Saturn’s atmosphere, where it will burn up. Continue Reading →

As Legislature winds down, a look at a fairly civil session

By: Michael Siebert/UM Community News Service | April 24, 2017

HELENA — After nearly five months of hearings, debates, floor action and votes, Montana’s 65th Legislative session is coming to a close. While lawmakers are constitutionally required only to draft and pass a two-year budget for the state’s numerous offices and programs—which they did last week—legislators from all walks of life address the concerns of their constituents, as well as their own ideas in the other bills they bring. (more…) Continue Reading →

She’s fighting climate change from rural Montana

By: Ed Kemmick | April 19, 2017

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to converge on Washington, D.C., on April 29 for the Peoples Climate March. One of them will be Kandi Mossett, who lives between Rockvale and Joliet. But don’t assume she’ll be daunted by the cig city or the big crowds. (more…) Continue Reading →

Federal suit filed over anti-Jewish ‘troll campaign’

By: Ed Kemmick | April 18, 2017

The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday against the founder of a neo-Nazi website who led a campaign of harassment against a Jewish woman in Whitefish. Filed in U.S. District Court in Missoula, the lawsuit says Andrew Anglin coordinated a “repulsive, threatening campaign of anti-Semitic harassment directed at Tanya Gersh, a Jewish real estate agent living in Whitefish, Montana.” (more…) Continue Reading →

Libertarian House candidate sits down with Montana Mint

By: Montana Mint | April 17, 2017

Editor’s note: This is reprinted with permission from Montana Mint, a website whose stated mission is to “Bring the best of Montana to the internet.”

Mark Wicks, an Inverness cattle rancher and author, is the Libertarian Party candidate running for Montana’s open Congressional seat. He sat down with the Montana Mint on Friday to talk about his campaign, why Democrats and Republicans should vote third party, and his book “The Wrath of the Dodo.” Unlike his fellow candidates, Wicks campaigns without a staff, without full-time volunteers, and with little to no financial assistance from party he represents. (more…) Continue Reading →

3 bills aim at state control of health-care practices

By: Michael Siebert/UM Community News Service | April 16, 2017

HELENA — With the future of health care on the federal level still unclear, Republican lawmakers in Helena are pushing legislation that could reshape how Montanans access and pay for medical services. Three bills—House Bill 266 and Senate Bills 100 and 362—are based on the premise that individual states should be able to determine what health-care practices are best suited for their residents, and that costs should be lowered. (more…) Continue Reading →

Well exemptions on land transfers prove contentious

By: Zachariah Bryan/UM Community News Service | April 15, 2017

Matt and Jen Cottle, ranchers near Bigfork, want to build a house for their son but they have found themselves in the crossfire of a heated legislative debate over Montana water laws. In a letter addressed to Sen. Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell, Matt Cottle explained that he and his wife want to take advantage of a provision in state law that allows them to transfer a piece of land they own to their son, who has autism, without going through the public review process. But, to make the new house practical, they also need water, so they had hoped to drill a well without having to get a state permit. (more…) Continue Reading →

Bought by Lee, will Missoula Independent live up to name?

By: Martin Kidston | April 13, 2017

Missoula Independent Matt Gibson said on Thursday that he chose to sell his business to Lee Enterprises to tap the corporation’s technical capabilities, adding that the Indy’s new partnership with the Missoulian will remain a work in progress as the weeks unfold. On Thursday morning, the Missoulian announced that its corporate owner, Lee Enterprises, had bought the Missoula Independent for an undisclosed price. The announcement that took the community by surprise. (more…) Continue Reading →

Wibaux band rocks the Gem at album-release party

By: Charlie Denison | April 13, 2017

“Shut up, dude, I’m trying to listen to your song,” a friend said as we were taking a seat at the Gem Theatre in Wibaux. An extension of the Beaver Creek Brewery, the Gem is host to fine dining and an impressive stage setup. On this particular night, the band belonged to brewery co-owner Jim Devine. At 6-foot-6, his friends have been known to call him “Mighty Big,” a nickname he also uses for his band, Mighty Big Jim and the Tall Boys. (more…) Continue Reading →

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