American Health Care Act Navigators/ West Nile Virus/ Mandatory Minimum Penalties/ EPA FOIA

Missoulian: Montana groups win federal grants to become Obamacare 'navigators'
In-Person Assistance in the Health Insurance Marketplace

“Navigators have a vital role in helping consumers prepare electronic and paper applications to establish eligibility and enroll in coverage through the Marketplaces and potentially qualify for an insurance affordability program. They also provide outreach and education to raise awareness about the Marketplace, and refer consumers to health insurance ombudsman and consumer assistance programs when necessary. Navigators play a role in all types of Marketplaces, are funded through state and federal grant programs, and must complete comprehensive training.”

Missoulian: West Nile virus reported in 6 Montana counties

West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus Activity by State

Missoulian: Sentencing panel to focus on mandatory minimums

Report to the Congress: Mandatory Minimum Penalties in the Federal Criminal Justice System

Missoulian: Judge: EPA may have tried to skirt disclosure law
LANDMARK LEGAL FOUNDATION v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

“EPA appears to be inconsistent as to whether it understood the term “senior officials” in this narrowing agreement to exclude the Administrator and/or other top leaders in the agency from the scope of the FOIA request. EPA’s opening brief asserts that both parties “agreed to narrow the scope of the request to ‘senior officials’ in each of the EPA’s headquarters offices, with ‘senior officials’ being identified as Program Administrators, Deputy Administrators and Chiefs of Staff in EPA’s headquarters offices as well as the Associate Administrator and Deputy Associate Administrator in EPA’s Office of Policy.” Def.’s Mem. 4–5. This statement seems to suggest that the EPA interpreted the FOIA request as excluding the Administrator.”

Tax Appraisal Cycle/ Hunting Proposals

Missoulian: Montana Supreme Court reverses judge, upholds 6-year reappraisal cycle

Covenant Investments v. DOR

“Covenant began the six-year tax cycle in 2008 with tax liability based on 100% of its property value. The Department treated Covenant like other similarly situated property owners when it assessed Covenant’s property value. The fact that Covenant’s property may have declined in value during the six-year cycle, and that Covenant may pay taxes, for some portion of the remainder of the six-year cycle, on a valuation greater than 100% of its property value, does not violate Covenant’s right to equal protection.”

Missoulian: Montana FWP seeks comment on 2014 hunting proposals

Opportunity for Public Comment

Timber Sale/ Labor Regulations

Missoulian: Environmentalists sue to block Ninemile timber sale

Friends of the Wild Swan v. United States Forest Service

Missoulian: Likely Labor regs would aid vets, disabled, unions

Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act: Interpretation of the Advice Exemption

Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Individuals With Disabilities

Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Protected Veterans

Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Domestic Service

Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors

Flood Maps/ Fires/ Free National Park Entrance/ Airline Merger

Missoulian: Floodplain map update affects hundreds of properties in Missoula County

FEMA Map Service Center

Missoulian: Yellowstone fire danger raised to 'very high'

Mount Washburn Fire Lookout - Northeast Webcam
Mount Washburn Fire Lookout - Southwest

National Weather Service, Yellowstone National Park

Missoulian: Bitterroot firefighters chase new wildfires east of Sula

MT InciWeb

Missoulian: Entry to national parks free on Aug. 25
The National Park Service Turns 97 on August 25

WASHINGTON - On Sunday, August 25, the National Park Service turns 97 years old. To celebrate, admission to all national parks will be free so that everyone can join in the festivities taking place coast-to-coast.

“National parks belong to all Americans, and we invite everyone to join us and celebrate this special day,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “From kite-building demonstrations at Wright Brothers National Memorial, to a river paddle at New River Gorge National River or a scenic railroad ride at Steamtown National Historic Site, America’s national parks offer something for the whole family.”

Missoulian: Govt, states challenge proposed airline merger

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer at the Conference Call Regarding the Justice Department’s Lawsuit Challenging Us Airways’ Proposed Merger with American Airlines

“We filed the lawsuit today because we determined that the merger – which would create the world’s largest airline and leave just three legacy carriers remaining in the U.S. – would substantially lessen competition for commercial air travel throughout the United States.  Importantly, neither airline needs this merger to succeed.  We simply cannot approve a merger that would result in U.S. consumers paying higher fares, higher fees and receiving less service.”

Smoke / Red Flag Warning/ Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment Rights

Missoulian: Idaho wildfire smoke chokes Missoula, Bitterroot valleys

Idaho InciWeb

Missoulian: Red flag warning in effect from noon until 11 p.m. for Missoula, Bitterroot valleys

Red Flag Warning

Missoulian: US judge says NYPD stop-frisk violates rights

Floyd v. City of NY (Part I)

Floyd v. City of NY (Part II)