News

News from USDA BOZEMAN — Above normal precipitation during February resulted in an increase in basin wide snowpack percentages for all Montana and northern Wyoming river basins. Last month percentages were generally 40-60% of normal, while as of March 1 most percentages are about 65-75% of normal. The largest increase occurred in the Upper Clark Fork and Upper Missouri River basins which improved from about 40% to 70% of normal snowpack conditions.  Recent improvements in the snowpack conditions were timely, but widespread deficits remain. While not as many NRCS snow stations are reporting their lowest snowpack on record compared to last month, 200 of about 255 stations s...

News from Glacier National Park WEST GLACIER — Glacier National Park was in the top 15 most visited national parks in 2023, hosting 2,933,616 recreation visits for the year. Recreational visits were up 0.9% from 2022 representing the 6th busiest year in Glacier’s history. Monthly records ...

News from the U.S. Dept. of Justice and Dept. of the Interior WASHINGTON – The Departments of Justice and the Interior recently released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human tra...

News from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — Several watercraft inspection stations begin operation in early March to check snowbird boat traffic returning from mussel-positive areas such as Lakes Mead and Havasu. Boat owners coming to Montana must have their vessel inspected for aquatic ...

HELENA — On Tuesday, March 5, Governor Gianforte was denied his latest attempt to circumvent the Montana Legislature’s authority when the Lewis and Clark District Court upheld a January court order, requiring his veto of Senate Bill 442 to go before the Legislature for a possible veto override vo...

News from DPHHS HELENA — Public health officials and numerous Montana coffee shops have announced a continued effort today to promote the importance of colorectal cancer screening among individuals ages 45 to 75. As part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, the Department of Public He...

News from DNRC    HELENA — The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has awarded $3.1 million to fund projects to reduce wildfire risk to communities and improve forest health.   “By supporting these community-driven projects, we’re not only tackli...

News from USDA BOZEMAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin signing up for the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) starting March 4 and running through March 29, 2024. This conservation opportunity gives producers...

News from CSKT FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Unsecured garbage is the #1 reason for human-bear conflict on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The CSKT Wildlife Management Program appreciates the good stewardship of Reservation residents that practice methods to prevent these avoidable human-wildlife confli...

POLSON — Julius Caesar was warned to beware the Ides of March 15. He went to the Senate anyway and was assassinated. I will beware the Ides of April 15 tax due day. Get your taxes done at the Polson Senior Center at no cost, sponsored by AARP on Mondays or Thursdays through April 15. Appointment requir...