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![Baucus Introduces Bill To Spur Montana Innovation](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2011/09/baucus2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Baucus Introduces Bill To Spur Montana Innovation
Senator Max Baucus held a hearing yesterday to highlight the need to support American innovation after introducing bipartisan legislation this week to spur Montana research and development that creates good paying jobs. Senator Baucus says congress has to do its part to support American ingenuity especially in a recession.
![Missoula Man Sentenced After Girlfriend’s Fatal Overdose](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2011/09/drug.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Missoula Man Sentenced After Girlfriend’s Fatal Overdose
A 25-year-old man who pleaded guilty to criminal endangerment after his girlfriend died of a drug overdose in his Missoula apartment has been ordered to stay away from drugs and alcohol for 10 years.
![Senator Tester Calls For Firm Iraq Withdrawal](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2011/09/iraqi-army-soldier-and-us-army-soldiers-from-delta-co-300x199.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Senator Tester Calls For Firm Iraq Withdrawal
Sen. Jon Tester says the Obama administration needs to stick with a scheduled withdrawal of the 45,000-strong force by December.
The Montana Democrat's comments come amid reports that the administration is looking at a proposal to leave up to 5,000 U...
![Montana Medical Marijuana Cardholders Dropping](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2011/09/The-Shop-Medical-Marijuana-Dispensary.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana Medical Marijuana Cardholders Dropping
Officials say the number of medical marijuana users and providers continues to decline after the July implementation of a tougher new law.
The Department of Public Health and Human Services told an interim committee of lawmakers on Monday that the number of cardholders had dropped by about 15 percent through August...
![Seniors Ask Baucus To Tax Rich, Protect Benefits](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2011/09/0916_baucus_460x276.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Seniors Ask Baucus To Tax Rich, Protect Benefits
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus is assuring seniors that Social Security cuts are not a viable option for the congressional deficit reduction supercommittee, and says a tax hike for higher income earners needs to be part of the solution.
Several seniors speaking Monday on a telephone conference call arranged by the senator's office urged Baucus to push for the tax increase on the wealthy.
![Montana Unemployment Up To 7.8 Percent In August](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2011/09/UNEMPLOYMENT1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana Unemployment Up To 7.8 Percent In August
The Labor Department says Montana's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.8 percent in August.
Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly says Montana's economy slowed in the third quarter and shed some of the jobs added earlier in the year. He says the state's economic recovery continues, but job growth is slow an unsteady.
![Florence Woman Gets Prison For Wire Fraud, Money Laundering](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2011/09/money_laundering.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Florence Woman Gets Prison For Wire Fraud, Money Laundering
The owner of a Florence escrow company has been sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison and must pay about $468,000 in restitution after she pleaded guilty earlier this month to wire fraud and money laundering.
U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy sentenced 37-year-old Stacey M. Hebuck under a plea agreement that dropped seven other counts.
![Update On 41 Complex Fire [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2011/09/firewx1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Update On 41 Complex Fire [AUDIO]
Firefighters continue to work on the 41 Complex of Fires burning in the Sapphire Mountains near Hamilton. DNRC Fire Information Officer Mike Cole says the cooler weather and some light rain has aided firefighters. He provides current statistics on the complex and continued closures.
![District Judge Halts Firing Of Ravalli County Court Clerks](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2011/09/RavalliMThouse.jpg?w=980&q=75)
District Judge Halts Firing Of Ravalli County Court Clerks
A district court judge in western Montana has granted a preliminary injunction halting the layoffs of two Ravalli County court clerks that are among 17 county employees commissioners decided to cut to save money.
![Wounded Grizzly Kills Hunter On Idaho-Montana Border](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2011/09/griz.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Wounded Grizzly Kills Hunter On Idaho-Montana Border
The family of a 39-year-old hunter killed by a wounded grizzly bear says he yelled out to draw the 400-pound male bear toward him, in an effort to keep it from attacking his young hunting partner.
Steve Stevenson's mom, Janet Price, says after her son yelled the bear swung around and attacked him instead.