State and local health officials are reporting increased West Nile virus activity in several counties across the state this week, including the first three human cases for 2023, which have been identified in Dawson, Rosebud and Yellowstone counties. These three cases range in ages from the late 30s to early 70s, including two males and one female. All cases were hospitalized for their illnesses.

The Lustre EMB Church welcomed Jim Wiens and his family Aug. 20. They are home on furlough to tell about their work in Russia. The evening began at 7 p.m. including music with their teens. Wiens is the son of Frank and Evelyn Wiens, who grew up in Lustre. The opening program for Lustre Christian High School is Sunday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. There are two new teachers at LCHS this year. Emily Eggar

District Court Judge Kathy Seeley sided Monday, Aug. 13, with environmental activists who said state agencies were violating their constitutional right to “a clean and healthful environment” by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate. The judge ruled that the policy the state uses in evaluating requests for fossil fuel permits, a process which does not

Average gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 1.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.99/g on Monday, Aug. 21, according to Gas-Buddy’s survey of 615 stations in Montana. Prices in Montana are 25.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 20.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has risen 2.1 cents in the last week and stands

Spotted Bull Recovery Resource staff are hosting fall/ winter hours for the group’s “safe place” organized for area youth ages 10-17 in Wolf Point at their 216 Third Ave. S. address (suites D,E and F). The “place” is open to ages 14-17 from 3-7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Youth ages 10-13 are welcomed Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-7 p.m. Adult after care is offered Monday-Thursday

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 7 will host a 2024 Fishing Regulations public meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 29, beginning at 6 p.m. in Miles Community College Room 106. There will be a Zoom online meeting option available for those who are unable to attend. The 2024 Fishing Regulations, Statewide Fisheries Management Plan, and Fort Peck Management Plan will go public the week of Aug. 21,

A Bear Aware Family Fair will be held on the Miles City Fish, Wildlife and Parks lawn on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 6-8 p.m. This free event is one of several being offered by FWP around the state to celebrate September as Bear Aware Month in Montana. The Miles City Bear Aware Family Fair will feature multiple educational stations and fun, family-oriented activities. Visit each station, test your

Ever get in a traffic jam at a boat ramp? How about arriving at a boat campsite after a long float and discovering trash left behind by the previous campers? Many of us river recreators, both resident and nonresident, have experienced behaviors we wished we hadn’t. With this in mind, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, along with several conservation partners, created a series of videos

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has announced he recently secured $4,938,000 in Environmental Protection Agency grant funding for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to improve access to clean drinking water across the state. The funding secured by Tester comes from the Fiscal Year 2023 Government Funding Bill. Tester was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to