Grizzly Hunting

Missoulian: Montana outlines specifics of possible grizzly hunt
Fish & Wildlife Commission meeting set for May 12 in Helena

“When the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission holds their monthly meeting May 12 at Montana WILD they’ll consider a variety of topics including potential framework for a grizzly bear hunting season, wolf hunting seasons and quotas and a proposal to transplant sharp-tailed grouse in western Montana.”

Salaried Employees

Missoulian: Department of Labor: Rule change creates major problem
PROPOSED RULEMAKING TO UPDATE THE REGULATIONS DEFINING AND DELIMITING THE EXEMPTIONS FOR “WHITE COLLAR” EMPLOYEES
“The Department is proposing to update the regulations governing which executive, administrative, and professional employees (white collar workers) are entitled to the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage and overtime pay protections. The Department last updated these regulations in 2004, and the current salary threshold for exemption is $455 per week ($23,660 per year). With this proposed rule, the Department seeks to update the salary level required for exemption to ensure that the FLSA’s intended overtime protections are fully implemented, and to simplify the identification of nonexempt employees, thus making the executive, administrative and professional employee exemption easier for employers and workers to understand and apply.”

Mountain Water Rates/ Alaska Mining v. Preserve

Missoulain: PSC holds hearing on Mountain Water's rates

ADVISORY: Montana PSC to hold hearing in Missoula regarding Mountain Water Co. rate investigation
“HELENA, Mont. – April 20, 2016 – The Montana Public Service Commission will hold a public  hearing in Missoula, MT on May 3-4, 2016, beginning at 9:00 a.m., regarding the investigation into Mountain Water Co.’s rates following the unauthorized sale of the water system to Liberty Utilities. The hearing will take place at the GuestHouse Inn, Suites & Conference Center, 3803 Brooks St.”

Missoulian: Critics question mine exploration near Alaska eagle preserve

Scoping Summary Report for Constantine Metal Resources LTD’s Mining Plan near Haines, Alaska
“To review the Scoping Summary Report in Support of the Environmental Assessment, Constantine North, Inc., Palmer Exploration Project, March 2016 for Constantine’s Proposed Plan of Operations, please visit the BLM’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) register: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/nepa/nepa_register.do. Using an “Advanced Search,” enter this NEPA number: DOI-BLM-AK-A020-2016-0006-EA.” 

BLM Announces Public Comment Period on the Environmental Assessment for Constantine Metal Resources LTD's Mining Plan
“HAINES, Alaska — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Glennallen Field Office has opened a public review and comment period on the Environmental Analysis (EA) for Constantine Metal Resources LTD's (Constantine) proposed Plan of Operations (Plan) to expand exploration on federal mining claims located near Haines, Alaska.”

School funding

Missoulian: Where does your state rank in spending on schools?

Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Education: School Year 2012–13 (Fiscal Year 2013)
Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary School Districts: School Year 2012–13 (Fiscal Year 2013)
Current expenditures for public elementary and secondary education, by state or jurisdiction: Selected years, 1969-70 through 2011-12
Montana Office of Public Instruction-Reports & Data

Missoulian: Report shows 72 avalanches in southwest Montana in 2016
2015-16 GNFAC Annual Report
“The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center just wrapped up 26 years of operation. We started the season with the  threat of a dry El Nino winter which never  materialized and finished with a snowpack  measuring close to 100% average. March got almost as much snow as January and  February combined.” 

Missoulian: 3 planets orbiting dwarf star prime spots to search for life
Promising Worlds Found Around Nearby Ultra-cool Dwarf Star
“Astronomers using the TRAPPIST telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory have discovered three planets with sizes and temperatures similar to those of Venus and Earth, orbiting an ultra-cool dwarf star just 40 light-years from Earth.”