Montana Elk Shoulder Seasons

Missoulian: Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission OKs shoulder seasons despite concerns

Montana Elk Shoulder Seasons
“The Fish & Wildlife Commission recently approved antlerless elk shoulder-season hunts to reduce elk populations in some areas. The pilot projects are located on the north and east sides of the Big Belt Mountains, the Castle Mountains, and in the Missouri River Breaks.”

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

Missoulian: Occupiers at Oregon refuge say they'll turn themselves in

FBI Surrounds Occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

ISIL and Russia

Missoulian: US faces shortcomings in coalition-building for anti-IS war
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room
“We're at an inflection point right now, an important moment in the fight against ISIL, and we think there is an opportunity to accelerate this campaign and deliver the lasting defeat to ISIL that we and the rest of the coalition feel is not only necessary, but necessary sooner rather than later.”

National Park Budgets/ Teacher's Income

Missoulian: Glacier Park maintenance backlog still growing
National Park Service Budget
“The National Park Service develops a budget each February for the next fiscal year, which starts October 1. Our budget—published in what we call the Green Book—defines our goals and objectives and the funding necessary to accomplish them. The NPS budget is rolled up into the budget for the Department of the Interior and then with the rest of the Executive Branch and submitted to Congress for its review and approval.”

Missoulian:Low pay forces South Dakota teachers to hold 2nd, 3rd jobs

 Occupational Outlook Handbook: Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

Flint Water

Missoulian: Latest: House panel seeks documents on Flint water crisis
EXAMINING FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT IN FLINT, MICHIGAN
“The Flint water crisis is a failure at every level of government.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 was aware of dangerously high levels of lead in Flint drinking water in April 2015, yet failed to act until January 2016 when they were forced to intervene.

EPA has an obligation to act under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) if the state is not in compliance with national standards of oversight and enforcement of public water systems.”

Zika/ Montana Dairy Fees/ Privatizing Air Traffic Control

Missoulian: Hamilton lab probing Zika virus amid WHO international warning
Zika Virus Health Information Resources

  

Missoulian:  Proposed fees for Montana dairy producers might be more than smaller ones can bear
Notice of Proposed Amendment - Department Fees.
“The Brands Enforcement Division proposes to increase fees to assure fees are commensurate with costs of services as required by 81-1-102(2), MCA. The proposed $150 fee increase on dealer and agent license fees would potentially affect 300 dealers and agents for a cumulative increase of approximately $45,000. The market license fee increase would affect 13 markets for additional revenue of $3,900.  An increase in lifetime horse inspections, implementing a $250 charge for lifetime inspections books provided to approximately 20 qualified deputy local inspectors and implementation a $10 per hundred head of cattle grazing permit would potentially affect approximately 15,000 producers seeking livestock services on approximately 952,000 head of livestock for a cumulative fee of $95,200. The proposed increase will total approximately $144,100 annually, based on these numbers. The dealer and agent fee has not been increased for over ten years; market license fees have not been raised since their inception and in the past the department supplied lifetime horse inspection books free of charge.”

Missoulian: Lawmakers propose bill to privatize air traffic control
Shuster, LoBiondo Introduce Bill to Spin Off Air Traffic Control from Federal Government
AIRR Act information

Weather and Travel/ Groundhog Predictions/ Drafting Women

Missoulian: Severe driving conditions on I-90 to Lookout Pass
Montana Department of Transportation: Travel Conditions

Missoulian: Pa. groundhog 'Predicts' early spring
Groundhog Day Forecasts and Climate History
“Even though he’s been forecasting since 1887, Phil’s track record for the entire country isn’t perfect. To determine just how accurate he is, we’ve compared U.S. national temperatures with Phil’s forecasts. On average, Phil has gotten it right 40% of the time over the past 10 years.”

Missoulian: Generals say women should have to register for draft
Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing: Implementation of the Decision to Open All Ground Combat Units to Women
 National Coalition of Men v. Selective Service System
Watch recording for case: National Coalition for Men v. Selective Service System, No. 13-56690