Obamacare Repeal, Yellowstone Harassment, Pharma Bro

Missoulian: GOP dealt stiff blow in Senate's bid to repeal 'Obamacare'
H.R.1628 - American Health Care Act of 2017

Missoulian: 10 people at Yellowstone to be punished after sexual harassment investigation
Investigative Report of Alleged Sexual Misconduct and Reprisal at Yellowstone National Park
“We found credible evidence that male supervisors and staff in the Maintenance Division unit created a work environment that included unwelcome and inappropriate comments and actions toward women. This negative work environment was allowed to continue because of the actions, or inaction, of supervisors. Specifically, the Maintenance Division supervisor should have known about and addressed some of the alleged misconduct.”

Missoulian:  Prosecutor: 'Pharma Bro' Shkreli exposed as a 'con man'

Former Hedge Fund Manager And New York Attorney Indicted In Multimillion Dollar Fraud Scheme

Montana Transgender Bathroom Ballot, Sunrise Fire, Mine Near Yellowstone

Missoulian: Bid to restrict transgender bathroom use advances in Montana

Montana Ballot Issues
Ballot Issue #1 I-183
Subject: Require a person using a locker room or protected facility in a government building or public school to use the facility that is designated for that person's sex.
Contact Person: Jeff Laszloffy
Sponsor: Jeff Laszloffy
Type: Statutory initiative
Received by SOS:  May 10, 2017
Status: Petition has been approved for signature gathering as of July 26, 2017.
Next Step: As of October 20, 2017, sponsor may submit signatures to county election offices.

Missoulian:  Sheriff orders evacuations as Sunrise fire spots close to homes
Montana InciWeb
“According to the Mineral County Sheriff, residents of Sunrise and Quartz Flats are now under Stage 3 Evacuation. This is the time to leave the area immediately and in an orderly fashion. The Sheriff is currently contacting residents in these areas.”

Missoulian: Gold mining proposal near Yellowstone advances
Environmental Assessment Complete for Lucky Minerals Exploration Project
Final Environmental Assessment - Lucky Minerals Emigrant Exploration Project

“Lucky Minerals proposes to drill up to 46 drill holes from 23 drill pads (two/pad) over two field seasons (Updated Figure 1.4). The anticipated field season would be from mid-July to mid October. The total project disturbance area, including access roads, laydown areas, and drill pads within the St. Julian Claim Block, would be approximately 4.8 acres (See Table 2.1). In order to keep disturbance to a minimum, all drill holes and associated sumps would be located within the previously disturbed prism of existing roads. The sumps would be used for collection and disposal of drill cuttings. Lucky Minerals would use two drills running two ten hour shifts per day.” 

Montana Fires, Transgender Ban, Foreign Agents Registration Act

Photo of Lodgepole fire, rising smoke over low hills covered in dry grass.

Missoulian: Evacuation order lifted for property owners threatened by Lodgepole Complex fire
Lodgepol Complex fire
“On Tuesday Firefighters were able to have another good day of progress on the fire. These efforts helped to increase the containment level to 34% (correction from last night). The containment was increased on the east side of the fire. Along the northern and southeast lines work continued to burnout and secure the fire lines. Smoke may still be visible as interior burning continues to occur in the northern part of the fire where there are unburned fuels available.”

Missoulian: Ash Carter criticizes Trump transgender ban

“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow...... ....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming..... ....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you” -@realDonaldTrump

Missoulian: Senators criticize FBI, Justice in Russia probe

Foreign Agents Registration Act
“The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) was enacted in 1938. FARA is a disclosure statute that requires persons acting as agents of foreign principals in a political or quasi-political capacity to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities.”

Oversight of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and Attempts to Influence U.S. Elections: Lessons Learned from Current and Prior Administrations

Fires, Free Speech, Renewable Energy

Map showing the extent of the Sunrise fire, from the BLM.

Missoulian: Sunrise fire near Superior commands national attention
Governor Bullock Declares Fire Emergency for State of Montana
Montana InciWeb

Sunrise Fire
“The Mineral County Sheriff has issued a Stage 2 Evacuation for the residents of Sunrise and Quartz Flats. This afternoon the Sunrise Fire spotted just south of Sunrise Peak, which triggered the move to Stage 2 Evacuation. Stage 2 means that residents should be ready to evacuate quickly if conditions worsen. This is not an immediate evacuation. The residents in Quartz Creek remain in Stage 2 evacuation status.”

Missoulian: Appeals court backs wildlife activist in free speech case

ANTHONY REED V. DOUG LIEURANCE
“Reed is a volunteer with the Buffalo Field Campaign (the “Campaign”), a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization that sends volunteers to observe and document the herding (also called “hazing”) of buffalo in and near Yellowstone National Park. Pursuant to an interagency agreement, government personnel from a number of state and federal agencies carry out hazing operations as many as four or five times per week between December and July. The Campaign provides video footage and information about the hazing to news outlets and government agencies.“

Missoulian: Lawmakers suggest state PSC's short renewable energy contracts may be 'unlawful'

PSC approves contract terms for MTSUN Project

Montana Fires, Solar Eclipse, Montana Drought, Kushner and Russia

Missoulian: Fires continue to rage as western Montana stays dry
Fire Weather Outlooks
Montana InciWeb

Missoulian: Want to view the solar eclipse? Here are some ways

NASA Eclipse Website

Missoulian: Northeast Montana experiencing the worst drought in the country

Exceptional drought in Northern Plains in July 2017

“The Northern Plains were in the midst of a punishing drought in July 2017.  Along with a lack of rainfall, the weekly average temperature was more than 90°F for a swath of the region from Montana southward to Kansas, which further accelerated the development of extreme to exception drought in parts of Montana and North and South Dakota.“

Missoulian: Kushner says he 'did not collude with Russia'

Chairman Burr and Vice Chairman Warner Statement on Kushner’s Voluntary Participation in SSCI Investigation