Warming summers force early fishing closures. Yellowstone is making a shift. As Yellowstone National Park extends fishing season, anglers and fisheries managers consider impacts of adding spring days to alleviate late-summer river pressures.

As Yellowstone National Park extends fishing season, anglers and fisheries managers consider impacts of adding spring days to alleviate late-summer river pressures.

After a fire ravaged an iconic restaurant in Babb, its owners pledge to rebuild After a fire destroyed the iconic restaurant, community members came together to clear the rubble and the Burns family vowed to rebuild.

After a fire destroyed the iconic restaurant, community members came together to clear the rubble and the Burns family vowed to rebuild.

Sheehy signs on to brief arguing for end to birthright citizenship Montana U.S. senator among 28 federal Republicans joining effort led by Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Jim Jordan.

Montana U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy has added his name to an amicus brief supporting the Trump administration’s effort to challenge the United States’ longstanding policy of granting citizenship to nearly any child born in the country as the matter is heard before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen complies with federal demand for Montana voter data Trump and U.S. Department of Justice assert authority to determine voter eligibility in the state.

Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen has handed over confidential voter data to the U.S. Department of Justice, which has asked the state to remove, upon demand, any voters who may be deemed ineligible by federal officials.

From the Embers? Controversial National Wildfire Service Could Launch in January - Mountain Journal Although Congress hasn’t provided budget or authority for consolidated firefighting force, opposition to new plan appears weakening

National wildland fire service getting new Chief, but we still don’t know if the service exists

mountainjournal.org/controversia...

Raccoon found passed out in bathroom of Virginia ABC Store after breaking in, ransacking shelves A raccoon was found passed out in the bathroom of the Virginia ABC Store in Ashland after breaking in and ransacking shelves, according to Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter.

Sometimes you just need to sleep it off. www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/...

Sheep Creek mine exploration in Bitterroot draws opposition • Daily Montanan Ravalli County Commissioners voted unanimously to oppose the placement of the Sheep Creek mine “exploration” project on a federal fast track.

“Don’t let this happen here.” — A Bitterrooter on dangers from other mining in Montana, regarding the proposed Sheep Creek mine exploration in the Bitterroot. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/02/s... #montana #mtpol #mtnews

ESA on Edge: Interior Proposals Prioritize Energy over Endangered Species - Mountain Journal Public comment on rule changes affecting critical habitat, extended protections and economic impact due December 22

Public comment due Dec. 22

bit.ly/4rxlzJi

This truly (and beautifully) outré band is lumped into the same scene as Black Flag; remarkable. I always assume they’re in the first Decline of Western Civilization (they’re not), which leads me to watching said film. Important in that regard.

Lessons on 'The Lost Bus': New Film Shows Challenge of Urban Wildfire - Mountain Journal Firefighting strategy struggles to evolve as ember storms overwhelm both town and forest defenses

Sometimes the movie gets it right

mountainjournal.org/lessons-on-t...

Faces of Climate: Sierra Harris and the Art of the Climate Battle - Mountain Journal A climate organizer and Montana native reflects on the art of collaboration to mitigate impacts of a warming planet

In our "Faces of Climate" series, Katie O'Reilly profiles Montana native Sierra Harris, Greater Yellowstone Coalition's climate and water conservation manager, who reflects on the art of collaboration to mitigate impacts of a warming planet. Hint: she sometimes recommends acting like a beaver.

What is Wild? Part 2, Give a Man a Fish: How Stocked Waters Blurred Lines Between Wild and Native Trout - Mountain Journal With a billion-dollar economy at stake, Greater Yellowstone fishing tangles artificial and authentic nature

Sunday long read: What is Wild?

mountainjournal.org/part-2-give-...

Fallow federals

Shutdown Smokescreen? Public Lands Furloughs Could Become Layoffs - Mountain Journal Trump administration leaders planned more job cuts before budget impasse closed federal government

As federal employees face furloughs amid congressional loggerheads over the federal budget, Yellowstone National Park employees, visitors and local businesses are navigating a series of uncertainties about operations at the destination that drew more than 4.7 million visitors last year.

mountainjournal.org/government-s...

Shutdown Comes for National Parks, Nation - Mountain Journal It remains unclear if park gates will close or remain open with limited staff. But budget impasse could have bigger impact than just furloughs, government watchers warn

Shutdown plans come for National Parks, with indications of much bigger changes looming

mountainjournal.org/government-s...

What Happens to National Parks if the Government Shuts Down? - Mountain Journal What we know as Congress hurtles toward a Wednesday funding deadline for the federal government

Odds are feds go dark midnight Tuesday

mountainjournal.org/what-happens...

UPDATED: Wildfire Services Stay Independent in New Federal Plans for 2026 - Mountain Journal US departments of Interior, Agriculture responses to Trump unification order keep Forest Service fire management separate

mountainjournal.org/wildfire-ser...

Opinion | The wolf-killing case that could change Wyoming By dragging a muzzled wolf into a bar, Cody Roberts also dragged Wyoming’s outdated treatment of wildlife into broader public view, writes Wendy Keefover.

OPINION: By dragging a muzzled wolf into a bar, Cody Roberts also dragged Wyoming's outdated treatment of wildlife into broader public view, writes Wendy Keefover.

USDA Starts Rolling Up Landmark ‘Roadless Rule’ - Mountain Journal Critics say Trump administration’s attempt at ‘commonsense management of our national forests’ jeopardizes 58 million acres of public lands

Where the roads don’t go

mountainjournal.org/usda-starts-...

How to Count a Wolf - Mountain Journal Marathon FWP commission meeting reveals complexities of managing wolves in Montana and across Greater Yellowstone

mountainjournal.org/how-to-count...

Newsmax pays $67 million to settle defamation case linked to 2020 election coverage The right-wing news channel Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems over its coverage of the 2020 presidential election. A trial had been scheduled for October.

The right-wing news channel Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems over its coverage of the 2020 presidential election. A trial had been scheduled for October.

What I Learned From Reading 1,334 Grant Applications - Nieman Reports An inside look at the journalism grant review process reveals how to write a winning application: Read the instructions carefully, flesh out your story, and please, don’t rely on AI tools, writes long...

Grant funding can open doors for journalists to pursue ambitious reporting projects — but how do you make your application stand out?

Read our top tips on how to write a winning grant proposal ⬇️

niemanreports.org/journalists-...

Please be careful on Thursday Montana

Wyoming will lose approximately $50 million in annual revenue to lower federal coal royalties contained in the Trump administration's One Big Beautiful Bill, according to a report by state financial forecasters.

Read more ➡️ wyofile.com/forecasters-...

Feds Violated Endangered Species Act in Denying Gray Wolf Protections, Court Rules - Mountain Journal In 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied further federal protections to wolves in Western states, prompting lawsuit

A federal court in Missoula has sided with a coalition of environmental groups to block a ruling to remove Western gray wolves from protections warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

“Ultimately, management of Canis lupus must not be by a political yo-yo process," Judge Donald Molloy wrote.

"We’ve got 120-some national forests and administrative units. Do you want all those people reporting to the chief?”

I don't think they want anyone reporting. They just want folks to do as they are told.

RIP to this legend.

Tom Lehrer, one of the cleverest lyricists ever, pretty much defined political satire through his music in the 1950s and 60s.
He was also a really good piano player.

Damn.

Forest Service to Abandon Nine Regional Offices - Mountain Journal As Washington continues slash-and-burn policies for federal agencies, USDA announces consolidation of offices responsible for 193 million acres of public land

As Washington, D.C. continues slash-and-burn policies for federal agencies, the USDA plans to close the Forest Service's nine regional offices responsible for 193 million acres of public land.

Robert Chaney looks at what it means for Greater Yellowstone and the Region 1 Headquarters in Missoula.

Turning in my Badge Decades of analog folios retrieved from a silenced newsroom, but not the digital chronicles of years of research and reporting

Speaking out following a final visit to the headquarters of the silenced Voice of America. open.substack.com/pub/newsguy/...