The Montana State Senate on Friday, Feb. 18, voted 31-18 to reject Andrew McKean’s nomination to the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission. Yes votes were against the nomination while no votes were for McKean’s nomination. The two state Senators from the Hi-Line split their votes. Senator Mike Lang of Malta voted against McKean’s nomination while Senator Mike Fox voted for the nomination.

Poplar’s boys’ basketball team lost by a 54-44 final in Sidney on Thursday, Feb. 18. After scoring only three points in the opening quarter, the Indians battled back to trail 18-16 at the half. “Overall, we had a slow start,” coach Frank Gourneau said. “We couldn’t capitalize at the end.” The coach said the game was tight until Sidney pulled away with free throws down the

The Poplar Indians battled back but lost to Sidney, 66-54, in girls’ basketball play held in Poplar on Thursday, Feb. 18. Sidney gained a 15-7 advantage in the first quarter and led 36-20 at the half. After the Eagles took a 56-29 lead in the third quarter, Poplar outscored Sidney 25-10 in the final period. “It was a great fourth quarter. I’m so proud of them for the strong finish,”

Lustre’s boys’ basketball team opened the District 3C tournament with a 70-36 victory over Nashua on Tuesday, Feb. 16. After leading only 9-7 at the end of the first quarter, the Lions accounted for 26 points in the second period for a 35-15 advantage. Lustre led 47-21 after three quarters of play. Leading the Lions were Kolden Hoversland with 29 and Cayden Klatt with 17 points.

Brockton’s boys’ basketball had its season come to an end when the Warriors lost to Plentywood, 57-37, on Thursday, Feb. 18. The game was deadlocked at 30-30 after three quarters of play, but Plentywood used two three-pointers by Cayden Trupe and another by Reese Wirtz to pull away in the fourth period. Top scorers for Brockton were Malcom Yellow Hammer with 14 and Allen Russell with

The new license year opens March 1, which means that is the day you can buy your 2021 hunting and fishing licenses and begin applying for permits and special licenses. The deadline to apply for deer and elk permits is April 1. Applications for most species – deer, elk, antelope, deer B, elk B, antelope B, moose, sheep, goat, bison, bear, turkey – can be made beginning March 1. Hunters

Moving of bills has been slow. We are required by law to have the Senate bills referred to the House at the end of the 45th day, March 3: Committees and the floor sessions will be long for the next 10 days. Little fun on the floor today. The State Tax Appeal Board got Senate approval to become the Montana Tax Appeal Board. The Treasure State Endowment Program is now the Montana Coal Endowment

A bill that would allow student athletes to receive money from companies that use their name, imag, or likeness had its first hearing in the Senate Business Labor and Economics Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Senate Bill 248’s sponsor, Sen. Ellie Boldman, D-Missoula, said her bill would put pressure on the NCAA, which does not allow student athletes to make any money from their involvement