Chronic wasting disease prevalence is increasing in most of northeast Montana, as is the spread of the disease across the landscape. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently tallied results of CWD samples taken during the 2024 big game season. CWD was first detected in northeast Montana in 2018. Annual sampling of hunter- harvested animals, show the prevalence continues to increase, especially

Montana’s minimum wage could be increased to $12.06 an hour if a bill introduced to the House Monday, Feb. 24, passes. Rep. Kelly Kortum, DBozeman, introduced House Bill 484 to the House Business and Labor Committee Monday. Supporters said the state’s current $10.55 rate doesn’t match the cost of living, but opponents disagreed and said the increase could increase inflation. Patrick

Poplar’s boys’ basketball squad upset Harlem, 66-55, in the opening round of the District 2B tournament in Glasgow on Wednesday. The Indians, the sixth seed of the tourney, gained a 19-13 lead in the first quarter and then outscored the Wildcats by a 16-4 margin during the second period. Early in the second quarter, four points by Kaniel Ricker and a basket by Keilen Erickson off a fantastic

Poplar’s girls’ basketball team came up short against Fairview, 47-40, during second round action at the District 2B tournament on Thursday. Fairview gained leads of 11-6 in the first quarter and 24-14 at the half. The Warriors were able to increase their advantage to 42-27 in the third quarter. Braelyn Nordwick scored 23 points to lead the Indians. Mattie Ayers added nine points.

Frazer lost by an 80-26 margin against Circle in the third-place game of the District 3C girls’ basketball tournament in Wolf Point on Saturday. The Bearcubs received good scoring from Baily Beston in the first quarter, but Circle gained a 31-7 lead. The Wilcats moved ahead 5413 at the half. Baily Beston led the Bearcubs with 14 points. Maci Fourstar-Sibley added five points. Also