President's End of the Year News Conference/ Cutting Off ISIL Funding

Missoulian: Obama to hold year-end news conference before Hawaii getaway

President Obama Holds a Press Conference (12:00 MST)

Missoulian: EU leaders vow 'uncompromising fight' against terrorism
Security Council moves to cut off all funding sources for ISIL and other terrorist groups
“At its first ever meeting at Finance Ministers’ level, the United Nations Security Council today stepped up its efforts to cut off all sources of funding for the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIL) and other terrorist groups, including ransom payments, no matter by whom.”

CMC Sale/ Federal Budget

Missoulian: Attorney general approves proposal for $74M in proceeds from CMC sale
Attorney General Approves Sale of Community Medical Center
“Billings Clinic and RegionalCare Hospital Partners (RCHP/Billings) will pay approximately $74.8 million for Community Medical Center’s (CMC) assets. That price is at the high end of the independent fair market valuation range determined by the independent fair market valuation firm hired by the Attorney General, CBIZ Valuation Group. The sale price may change slightly at closing due to final adjustments, but it will not be less than the fair market value range.”

Missoulian: Massive year-end spending bill includes cybersecurity act
S.754 - Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015
“To improve cybersecurity in the United States through enhanced sharing of information about cybersecurity threats, and for other purposes.”

Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016

Federal Reserve Decision

Missoulian: The Latest: US stocks open higher as Fed decision looms

Watch the press conference with FOMC Chair Janet L. Yellen live beginning at 2:30 p.m. on December 16, 2015

Winter Travel in Yellowstone/ Popular Baby Names

Interior roads opened to oversnow travel.

NPS/Herbert 

Missoulian: Yellowstone National Park to open roads for winter travel
Current Conditions
“The park is open to motorized oversnow travel. Visitors can now travel the park's interior roads on commercially-guided snowmobiles and snowcoaches from the North, West, and South Entrances. Visitors who have proper permits can also participate in the Non-commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program. Travel through the park's East Entrance over Sylvan Pass is scheduled to begin December 22.”

Missoulian: The Most Popular American Names
Social Security: Top 10 Baby Names for 2014

ISIL/ State Property Auction

Missoulian: Obama ramps up bid to explain how US will fight ex
President Obama Addresses the Nation on Keeping the American People Safe

 

Missoulian: Changes in lease program prompts auction of 8 waterfront properties
State-owned lakefront properties up for auction
“The lakefront properties, with lot sizes from one to four acres, are located on Beaver, Echo and Rogers lakes; some sites are developed with cabins and other improvements, while others are not. A total of eight properties will be up for auction at the Feb. 3 sale. Additional properties will be coming up for auction later in the year.”

Making Bison the National Mammal

The bison is the largest land mammal in North America. Bulls are more massive in appearance than cows, and more bearded. For their size, bison are agile and quick, capable of speeds in excess of 30 mph. Each year, bison injure park visitors who approach too closely.

NPS/Herbert

Missoulian: Bison take a first step toward being named America's mammal

S. 2032: National Bison Legacy Act

“This bill adopts the North American bison as the national mammal of the United States.”

Hunting Range & Quotas/ Grizzly Bears

Bozeman Chronicle: Hunting seasons up for debate at FWP Commission 
FWP Commission Meeting Agenda

Photo credit: Erwin and Peggy Bauer, USFWS

Bozeman Chronicle: USFWS letter indicates grizzly bear delisting proposal coming soon 
 Montana Grizzlies on the Road to Recovery
“The species has recovered to more than 1,700 wild bears in the U.S., despite naturally low reproductive rates. Today, grizzlies occur in five populations spread across Wyoming, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Of these areas, the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, located in northwestern Montana, is home to the largest number of grizzlies. The Northern Continental Divide grizzlies are thriving—growing approximately three percent each year. Grizzlies here have even begun to move outside the designated recovery zone.”