Montana State Headlines: Looks Like a Dry Summer Ahead for Rivers

Don't complain about the continued cool, and sometimes wet weather we've been receiving the past week or so. The latest runoff forecasts are showing most of the state REALLY needs all the moisture it can get.

That's especially true in the Upper Clark Fork and the Blackfoot basins, which are continuing in "severe" to "extreme drought" conditions as we turn the corner into summer.

     🌨️ Helpfully, snowpack in the Upper Clark Fork is actually better than last spring.

READ MORE: Montana's Spring Runoff Trends

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In fact, the latest runoff info from the Natural Resources and Conservation Service shows 43% of the state is in drought conditions. Runoff is going to be especially critical along the Front again this year, where rivers like the Sun and Marias only have 61% of the runoff they should have.

There are exceptions in the May report. Basins in Central and Southwest Montana are close to, or slightly above normal runoff forecasts, while the Big Horns and Beartooth Plateau have been helped by late spring storms.

Courthouse threats mean prison

A homeless man with ties to Kalispell could be headed to prison for 10 years after admitting to making threats to blow up the Flathead County Courthouse.

46-year-old Kermit "Ty" Poulson pleaded guilty to federal charges Tuesday, stemming from accusations of "interstate communication" in the scheme. Federal prosecutors say that stems from the threat being sent through a Gmail account that allowed the FBI to track him down.

     -Prosecutors say Poulson had also been in trouble for threatening to blow up the mayor's house in Portland.

He'll be sentenced in September.

Don't panic if you see Missoula Police activity

If you're in Missoula, don't be alarmed if you see a lot of police activity around the University of Montana. UM Police Chief Brad Giffin says it's all part of an annual training exercise.

"River Horse" is Fine, Thanks

Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder says the horse that created a lot of concern when he got stranded in the middle of the river by high water is doing just fine.

The story of "Cowboy" started last Tuesday, when the owners noticed he was missing from his pasture and part of the bank had dropped into the Yellowstone River. He was spotted Thursday evening on a rock bar in the middle of river, surrounded by water. Search and rescue teams couldn't coax him off with horse feed, so they airlifted him back to safety.'

So Linder posted an update, saying Cowboy is doing just fine after his adventure (and one would imagine staying a little clear of the river bank).

Can Great Falls meet prep baseball deadline?

High school baseball continues to make a slow but steady comeback in Montana. Although Jason Laird reports that one effort needs some extra momentum

Montana Wayback Wednesday

     You're not the only one complaining about Montana spring winds

On this date in 1805, Lewis & Clark were complaining about high winds along the Missouri River about twenty miles above the Musselshell. It got so bad they had to pitch camp early.

     💨 Welcome to Montana, guys!