Now, Lynx Protections Making News In Montana

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is shrinking the amount of protected critical habitat for the threatened Canada lynx, including areas here in Montana.

The agency released its final revised rule today, designating roughly 14,000 square miles across Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Colorado. That represents a 32% drop, cutting nearly 8000 square miles from the previous map drawn in 2014.

Federal officials say the revision focuses only on areas deemed essential for the species' conservation, relying on the latest research and population modeling. Nearly all of the newly designated habitat falls on federally managed public lands.

     Locally, a major shift is the removal of the Greater Yellowstone Area, which will no longer be designated as critical lynx habitat.

Independent candidates make Montana ballot

Three independent candidates have officially secured their spots on Montana’s upcoming November ballot.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen announced Seth Bodnar, who is running for U.S. Senate, Michael Eisenhauer for the Second Congressional District, and Shayne Morgan for state House District 76 have all gathered the required number of petition signatures.

With the signatures verified, the Montana Election Team is moving forward with pre-election deadlines. Candidates have until August 10th to withdraw their names, and the general election ballot will be officially certified on August 20th.

Absentee ballots will be mailed to registered voters across the state on October 9th.

Gas prices shot up again last week

Montana gas prices are over $4 a gallon, after more conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is creating a new spike in crude oil prices.

Triple A of Montana reports drivers in Billings are seeing prices at $3.99, while Great Falls sits at $3.97, and Missoula averages $3.98 on Thursday, and up to $4.05 statewide by Friday.

That's up 11 cents a gallon in the past week, according to Triple A's reporting.

Drivers in the counties along Montana's eastern border continue to see lower prices, averaging around $3.80 per gallon. Powder River County is the exception, with an average of $4.30 per gallon.

West of the Divide, the most expensive gas is in Sanders and Granite counties.

The most expensive gas in the state continues to be in Petroleum County, where a gallon of regular costs $4.53.

a blurry image of a red and blue wave

Yellowstone sees first quake of the year

A significant tectonic event gave park tourists a startling wake-up call in northwest Wyoming last week. The U.S. Geological Survey confirms a magnitude 3.3 earthquake rattled Yellowstone National Park early Thursday morning.

     The epicenter was located along the Grand Loop Road south of Canyon Junction at a depth of four miles. It was the largest in the park this year.