Blizzard/ Watershed Maps/ WIC/ Ukraine

Missoulian: FRIDAY'S WEATHER FORECAST: Blizzard hits western Montana

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST SATURDAY.

* BLIZZARD IMPACTS AND TIMING: CONDITIONS WILL GRADUALLY IMPROVE   SOME THROUGHOUT THE DAY AS SUSTAINED WINDS DECREASE A LITTLE   AND SNOW INTENSITY WANES. HOWEVER BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW   THROUGHOUT TOWN WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE. BUT DO NOT BE   DECEIVED! SIGNIFICANTLY STRONGER WINDS WILL RETURN THIS   EVENING AND BE DANGEROUSLY GUSTY OVERNIGHT. THIS WILL PRODUCE   ADDITIONAL BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW WITH PERHAPS MORE   WIDESPREAD BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN THE MISSOULA VALLEY AND   POTOMAC AREAS. LOCALIZED BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WILL LIKELY   EXTEND SOUTH ALONG US- 93 TOWARDS LOLO AND FLORENCE OVERNIGHT.

  LOCATIONS FARTHER SOUTH UP THE BITTERROOT ARE NOT EXPECTED TO   RECEIVE WIDESPREAD BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.

Missoulian: USGS releases watershed maps that cross U.S.-Canada border
USGS Water Resources Links for: 11100302 - Lower North Canadian

Missoulian: USDA adds foods to moms and kids food program

 USDA Finalizes Changes to the WIC Program, Expanding Access to Healthy Fruits and Vegetables, Whole Grains, and Low-Fat Dairy for Women, Infants, and Children
“The U. S. Department of Agriculture today finalized changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to further improve the nutrition and health of the nation's low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children. The changes – which increase access to fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy – are based on the latest nutrition science. Today's announcement marks the completion of the first comprehensive revisions to the WIC food packages since 1980.”

Missoulian: Kerry calls Russian counterpart to express US concern over rising tension in Ukraine's Crimea
U.S. Stands With the Ukrainian People
“Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns traveled to Ukraine to convey U.S. support for Ukraine's efforts to secure a stable, democratic, inclusive, prosperous future.  In Kyiv, Deputy Secretary Burns consulted with key Ukrainian leaders, the business community, and civil society.”

BBC: Ukraine crisis: Latest updates

My Brother's Keeper/ Child Care Recommendations

Missoulian: Obama plan aims to improve odds for minority boys

My Brother’s Keeper
“ By the time they hit fourth grade, 86 percent of African American boys and 82 percent Hispanic boys are reading below proficiency levels — compared to 54 percent of white fourth graders reading below proficiency levels.

    African American and Hispanic young men are more than six times as likely to be victims of murder than their white peers — and account for almost half of the country's murder victims each year.”

Missoulian: Child care centers to follow first lady guidelines

Let’s Move!

Let’s Move! Child Care website

1. Increase physical activity
2. Limit screen time
3. Encourage healthy eating
4. Offer healthy beverages
5. Support infant feeding

Earthquakes/ Highway Repairs

Missoulian: Small earthquake hits northeastern Montana

Montana Earthquake Information

M3.8 - 59km S of Plentywood, Montana

Missoulian: Obama seeking $300 billion for roads, railways

Status of the Highway Trust Fund

Meat Recall/ Manufacturing

Missoulian: Meat recall expands to cover more than 60 Montana grocery stores
California Firm Recalls Unwholesome Meat Products Produced Without the Benefit of Full Inspection

“Beef carcasses and boxes bear the establishment number "EST. 527" inside the USDA mark of inspection.  Each box bears the case code number ending in “3” or “4.” The products were produced Jan. 1, 2013 through Jan. 7, 2014 and shipped to distribution centers and retail establishments nationwide. “

Missoulian: Obama to announce new manufacturing hubs

 President Obama Announces Two New Public-Private Manufacturing Innovation Institutes and Launches the First of Four New Manufacturing Innovation Institute Competitions

Ice Jams/ Supreme Court Climate/ Minimum Wage

Missoulian: Cold snap could mean more ice jams this spring
Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

Missoulian: Climate case at Supreme Court looks at EPA's power
Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA (12-1146)
Am. Chemistry Council, et al. v. EPA, et al. (12-1248)
Energy-Intensive Manufacturers v. EPA, et al. (12-1254)
Southeastern Legal Foundation v. EPA, et al. (12-1268)
Texas, et al. v. EPA, et al. (12-1269)
Chamber of Commerce, et al. v. EPA, et al. (12-1272)

Missoulian: Obama looks to governors for help with economy
Remarks by the President before Meeting with Democratic Governors

“Today we did bring Democratic governors to the White House to spend some time talking about a couple of issues that are of critical importance to our constituencies and, I think, to the country.  And one of those is the issue of minimum wage and what we can do to give America a raise.

Many of the governors in this room are pushing to raise their state’s minimum wages to benefit more working families and help to grow their economies.  Governor Abercrombie, Governor Inslee, Governor Malloy, Governor O’Malley, Governor Patrick, Governor Quinn all focused on this in their State of the State addresses.”