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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-news/blm-gives-initial-approval-to-american-prairie-bison-grazing-plan
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HELENA — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has given initial approval to a proposal to graze bison in north-central Montana. It’s the latest step in a process that started five years ago – and it’s likely not the end.
American Prairie – a nonprofit formerly called American Prairie Reserve – proposed bison grazing on 63,065 acres of BLM land in Phillips County, south of Malta. The BLM’s proposed decision, issued Wednesday, would allow bison, behind fences, on six of the seven areas the organization proposed.
“We are extremely pleased with this decision, which will enable us to exercise our grazing privileges to sustainably grow our conservation herd of bison, protect the health of the land, and create more outdoor opportunities for visitors to experience Montana’s prairie lands and wildlife,” said American Prairie vice president and chief external relations officer Pete Geddes in a statement.
The decision would allow bison to graze seasonally in three locations and year-round in three others – including two that are already approved for bison. The seventh location would remain open only to cattle.
American Prairie says they plan to increase their bison herd from around 800 animals to 1,000.
BLM leaders said in a statement that their decision was justified by an analysis that showed the plan wouldn’t have a significant environmental impact. They also identified some potential benefits for wildlife habitat and vegetation, including the removal of some internal fencing and the different grazing patterns of bison allowing for more diversity.
“Ultimately, the overall goals of any grazing decision are to ensure the health of BLM-administered public lands and implement the law,” said Theresa Hanley, the agency’s acting Montana/Dakotas state director. “This proposed grazing decision will help us continue to achieve those goals, providing for multiple-purpose use and enjoyment, now and in the future.”
American Prairie first submitted a plan for bison grazing in 2017. They scaled it back significantly in 2019, saying they wanted to address public concerns and have more time to demonstrate how their grazing system works.
The proposal has gotten a lot of attention from people in the area. Groups like the Montana Stockgrowers Association have raised concerns.
“When we saw the decision, we were fairly disappointed with the decision,” said executive vice president Jay Bodner.
Bodner questioned whether the BLM could lease land for grazing bison, saying that federal law specifically designates it for livestock and doesn’t include bison in that definition. He also said ranchers are worried about the impacts of having bison in close proximity to cattle, from possible interbreeding to injuries if the animals end up in the same pasture.
“They are a different species than cattle, they’re going to graze differently, and so they’re going to have impacts on the rangeland differently,” Bodner said. “If you have less control over them, I think certainly rangeland health standards – are you going to be able to meet those? – that calls into question.”
He said the Stockgrowers want to make sure the BLM did its due diligence in responding to the public’s concerns.
“When you look at these kinds of pretty significant proposals that the American Prairie Reserve did propose, we really think that needs a full environmental impact statement,” he said.
In the decision, the BLM said it did analyze and consider all the public comment. For example, they responded to the concerns about the federal definition of livestock by pointing to other rules that allow privately owned “indigenous animals” like bison to graze at regulators’ discretion. They said they have issued grazing permits for bison in other states, and previously for American Prairie.
“We understand that not everyone agrees with allowing bison grazing on public lands, but the BLM’s decision makes it clear that our proposal is based on sound science and will benefit wildlife, the rangeland, and riparian areas,” Geddes said.
A spokesperson for Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office said the state has started reviewing the BLM decision.
“The governor shares Montanans' hope that BLM took submitted comments to heart and bolstered its analysis to reach a legal, well-reasoned decision,” the spokesperson said.
A 15-day protest period is now open. The BLM will consider any protests they receive, then make a final decision. After that, there will be another 30 days during which the decision can be appealed.
You can find full documentation on the decision on the BLM website.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-news/kids-in-crisis-depression-at-30-year-high-in-montana-schools
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BILLINGS — The COVID-19 pandemic has had a debilitating impact on teenage mental health, according to the 2021 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
The survey, made up of 98 questions for students in grades 7-12 and released last fall, revealed that 41.4 percent of high school students reported feeling depressed almost every day for at least two straight weeks. That’s an all-time high, especially for women who self-reported at 52.6 percent.
"It’s not surprising to me because of what we’ve been through," said Renee Schoening, the executive director of the Montana School Counselors Association. "Kids need connection, and there’s been so much less connection."
Schoening is no stranger to the survey. Prior to becoming the MSCA executive director last June, she was a K-8 counselor in Deer Lodge for 16 years.
"I think that early intervention is key, and that’s where we can make the most impact," Schoening said.
"From what I’ve experienced, I have 100% seen an increase in student mental health concerns," said Jessica Buboltz.
Buboltz is the MSCA board chair and a current counselor at Missoula Hellgate high school. Both she and Schoening are in Billings this week for the group’s annual conference, which is focused on counselor burnout.
"We talk about making sure we have the skills to help ourselves," Buboltz said.
One of the heaviest issues Buboltz and her colleagues deal with are student suicidal thoughts. More than one in every five students- 21.7 percent- said they seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months. Eighteen percent actually made a plan, and over 10 percent attempted suicide one or more times.
"It’s hard," Buboltz said. "Working with any person that is in a place about taking their lives, that’s difficult."
"Suicide is definitely the hardest thing to have come across your desk," Schoening added. "The other thing that’s really hard is when a child discloses sexual abuse."
MTN News will share those sexual violence numbers, as well as several others that stand out over the next couple weeks in a continued look at Kids in Crisis across our state.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/canadian-province-wants-to-ban-declawing-multiple-other-non-essential-procedures-for-animals
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The government of the Canadian province of Quebec has taken another step forward in its efforts to ban many procedures for animals deemed non-essential, such as declawing, tail docking, devocalization, and ear cropping, often performed on pets like cats and dogs.
While veterinarians can step in and make exceptions if it is deemed by the doctor that the procedure is medically necessary, the province's government is drafting legislation to try and ban these types of procedures by summer, lawmakers hope, the CBC reported.
Canadian Agriculture Minister André Lamontagne said Quebec's Animal Welfare and Safety Act is still currently being drafted following consultations on the legislation last December.
Quebec's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said that current laws had "no specific regulation" over these, oftentimes, non-essential procedures, but made a point to formally recommend against performing them.
"A new draft regulation including welfare standards for companion animals, including cats and dogs, is being developed," the agency said. In a statement, Quebec's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also said that "the latest scientific advances" would be taken into account when proposing guidelines.
Montreal-based animal health technician Alexandra Yaksich started a petition which sparked lawmakers' interest in proposing the animal welfare legislation, according to the CBC.
"I know this is something that seems small to a lot of people, but it's really not," she said.
"It's not just taking off the claw, it's the amputation of the tip of the finger," Yaksich said. "That has all kinds of effects."
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https://www.kxlf.com/latest-text-scam-sends-message-your-own-number/
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You receive a text message. Not a big deal. But when you check to see who sent it, you’re baffled. It shows your number as the sender. However, it also includes a link with a tempting promise. Should you click it to find out what this is all about?
Absolutely not, say experts. According to CBS News, Verizon customers have filed numerous complaints about receiving text messages that seem to come from their own numbers. The links in these “spoof” SMS messages promise a free gift for being a valued customer of the phone service.
Twitter users like Jason Rabinowitz have gone to Twitter to complain about the scam:
So many technological failures involved in letting someone spam people by spoofing their own number while the phone’s OS thinks that maybe, just maybe, it was actually me texting myself but it can’t be sure. pic.twitter.com/J5rbZ41BB9
— Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) March 29, 2022
However, many people who tap on those links are not taken to a gift redemption website. Instead, their web browsers open on a Russian state-operated live TV broadcast, as Verge reported. This is especially alarming since the White House has cautioned businesses to prepare for cyberattacks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to the FBI, spoofing is when someone disguises their information, such as an email address or phone number, to convince the recipient that they are interacting with a trusted source. They do this to trick people into downloading malicious software, disclosing sensitive information, sending money or taking other detrimental actions. The agency warns against clicking on anything in an unsolicited email or text message.
“Verizon is aware that bad actors are sending spam text messages to some customers which appear to come from the customers’ own number,” the company wrote in emails to media outlets such as CBS MoneyWatch and The Verge. “Our team is actively working to block these messages, and we have engaged with U.S. law enforcement to identify and stop the source of this fraudulent activity. Verizon continues to work on behalf of the customer to prevent spam texts and related activity.”
While Verizon is the service provider noticing this trend, it could happen on any phone service. Of course, you can’t block the sender when it’s your number. Verizon reps state that the best thing to do is delete any message you receive that looks like you sent it to yourself.
In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states three ways to report unwanted text messages:
- You can report it within your phone’s messaging app. On an iPhone, tap the Report Junk link under the message. On an Android phone, touch and hold the message, and then select Block > Report spam > OK.
- You can forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) so that your phone carrier can investigate.
- Finally, you can report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Stay safe out there!
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories.
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https://www.kxlf.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/car-parts-shortage-has-drivers-waiting-months-for-repairs
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A caution to anyone who may need a car repair sometime soon: You may have to wait weeks, even months for parts, due to supply chain shortages that show no signs of letting up.
When George Weaver fires up his 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, the whole neighborhood hears what sounds like an old hot rod.
"I started it up on Monday morning, and it was loud, and I knew right away what had happened," he said.
It was his catalytic converter, which are being targeted by thieves everywhere these days for their valuable metals. When he looked underneath, he saw two clean cuts on the exhaust, and his $1,000 converter gone.
So he limped the SUV to his dealer, where he expected a quick repair. But it was not to be.
"The dealer said they are back-ordered, there are none in the country, and they don't know when they are gonna get them in," he said.
Many parts now on back order for months
Many original equipment catalytic converters are currently on back order. But that's not the only essential car part you may not be able to find, due to supply chain shortages.
Matt Overbeck owns a repair shop, Overbeck Auto Services. "We are seeing car parts delays and shortages in some areas," he said. "Day, weeks, and in some cases months."
Besides converters, he says parts in short supply include:
- ABS brake modules
- Engine sensors
- Transmission control modules
- Windshields
What can owners do?
Overbeck says independent shops have more flexibility than dealers, that have to use official replacement parts. He is able to get aftermarket converters, for example, or used converters in a pinch.
"You can work with your repair provider to see if there are other options, such as used, or a salvage yard part," Overbeck said.
He says don't be frightened by salvage parts, as they are usually fine and come with warranties. But Weaver, who wants the official Hyundai part because his SUV is almost new, says "it is very frustrating. And the frustrating part is you are paying for the car and you can't use it!"
We contacted his dealer, who promised to make his converter a priority, and if all else fails, try to swap him into a different vehicle.
So don't be surprised if you have to wait for a part, so don't waste your money.
________________________
Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").
Like" John Matarese Money on Facebook
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For more consumer news and money-saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-news/montana-schools-moving-to-classes-four-days-a-week-to-attract-teachers
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A statewide teacher shortage has more Montana schools going to four-day school weeks in hopes of recruiting and retaining teachers.
“We have a pretty high turnover rate,” says Dan Grabowska, the superintendent of Park City Schools. In the eight years he has been on the job, he says it has become increasingly difficult to find teachers.
“We’ve had situations where people have come in and taken the job we think they are going to be OK and they are gone within a week of school starting. So there’s a lot of scrambling. And it’s not just us. It’s everywhere in the state,” he says.
Schools in rural districts account for about two-thirds of Montana’s teacher vacancies.
Last summer, the number of applicants for several openings in Park City schools could almost be counted on one hand. There are probably several factors for that, but the obvious one is money.
“Salary is tough one for us because our tax base isn’t very high, so it is hard to do that. So, we looked at what other schools are doing, and the four-day week was one of the key areas that other districts were looking at,” says Grabowska.
Next school year, Park City will join 175 schools other across the state that have gone to four-day school weeks.
Zoe Holscher teaches high school math and likes the idea.
“I’m pretty excited for it. We will see how it goes. I’m a little bit nervous, but overall, I’m excited to have that extra day off to plan and kind of rejuvenate after a long week,” she says.
It will mean longer school days for students in the classroom from 8 until just after 4, but they’ll get a three-day weekend every weekend.
“I think trying to squeeze a whole day into 10 or 15 minutes during the class period is going to be a bit challenging. Some kids are worried about the long school days but I think once they get used to it they will be fine. It’s just that initial change,” says Holscher.
The superintendent says the district has worked hard to support its teachers and keep them and is already seeing some encouraging signs that the four-day school week will bring in more applications for openings.
“This year, it has already bumped up quite a bit with the four-day week on my job ads. I’ve got a nice pool to select from, so that’s been a plus,” he says.
Grabowska says he’d like to see more done on the state level to make Montana’s teacher salaries more competitive with other states.
Grabowska admits not everyone was happy when they decided to make the move.
The four-day week will mean new childcare challenges for some parents, but the superintendent thinks it is the best way for now to attract new teachers.
“Let’s try it for a year and see what happens. We need our teachers to stay so let’s see what happens,” he says.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/1950-census-records-are-now-available-heres-how-to-make-your-search-successful
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The records for the 1950 U.S. Census were just released Friday morning.
The National Archives released them just after midnight on April 1, and an agreement was put in place that census records would remain private for 72 years. Those 72 years were up as of 12:01 a.m. on April 1.
To access the census data, all you have to do is go to 1950census.archives.gov.
According to the National Archives, this was the 17th decennial census of the United States.
There are also ways you can help. The National Archives is using Amazon Web Services' artificial intelligence/optical character recognition to extract handwritten names from the 1950 Census population schedules.
That AI is not 100% accurate, so the National Archives said you can submit name records to the index using a transcription tool available on the 1950 Census website. By doing that, it will help improve the accuracy of the name index.
Below are some tips from the U.S. Census Bureau when searching
1: Search for the first and last name of the head of household (plus state and county of residence if known) because the surname was written on the census form only on the line for the head of household and other persons in the household with a different surname.
2: To narrow your search to find specific records, you can select multiple filters. Or to conduct a broader search, you may choose to select one filter at a time.
3: You don't have to know the exact spelling of a person's name in order to perform a name search. Enter as much as you know. The search engine will return any close variations or matches.
4: Once you've found a record of interest, click on the buttons or links labeled "Population Schedules", "ED Maps", or "View Original ED Description" to view a digitized copy of the records.
5: Use the built-in transcription feature to correct and add names to the site's name index. Your contributions can help make the 1950 Census population schedules more discoverable for everyone.
This story was first reported by WXYZ in Detroit, Mich.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/2-in-1-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-sold-at-walmart-recalled
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TAMPA — Universal Security Instruments is recalling some combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms because they can fail to alert consumers to the presence of a hazardous level of carbon monoxide, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
The recall involves two models and two date codes of Universal Security Instruments 2-in-1 Photoelectric Smoke & Fire + Carbon Monoxide alarms.
Model MPC322S has 10-year sealed batteries and a manufacturing date code of 2017JUN09.
Model MPC122S is a hardwired alarm with a 10-year sealed battery backup and a manufacturing date code of 2017JUN02.
The brand name “UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC.” or “USI ELECTRIC” is printed on the front of the alarms above “Photoelectric Smoke & Fire + Carbon Monoxide Alarm.” The model number and date code are printed on the back of the alarms.
CPSC said people with the alarms should immediately contact Universal Security Instruments for a free replacement alarm. CPSC said consumers should keep using the recalled alarms until they install replacement alarms.
The recall said the company received two reports of the units failing to alarm for the presence of carbon monoxide within the specified time requirement. No injuries have been reported.
The alarms were sold nationwide and online at Walmart and other websites from June 2017 through December 2019 for between $50 and $80.
This story was first reported by Emily McCain at WFTS in Tampa, Fla.
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https://www.kxlf.com/magical-vineyards-let-you-camp-grounds/
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Can’t decide on a glamping vacation or a vineyard tour trip? Why not both?
Pitchup is a London-based online booking site for campsites, glamping sites, RV parks and more. They list more than 5,500 sites in 67 countries throughout Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Africa. And some of them offer accommodations that aren’t just near gorgeous, rolling vineyards but actually on them.
For wine enthusiasts who adore the outdoors, it’s the best of both worlds. You have access to nature-filled accommodations as well as heavenly wine from charming, unique vineyards. And since you are staying on the grounds, you don’t have to worry about driving after lots of sampling. Instead, you can indulge to your heart’s content and then drift off to sleep under the stars surrounded by lush grape fields.
Check out this dreamy collection of places to camp at vineyards around the globe.
Birds And Barrels Vineyard In Willcox, Arizona
When thinking of vineyards, the Sonoran Desert might not be the first location that comes to mind. But in fact, the deep southwest region of the U.S. is home to a number of popular wineries. The warm, arid landscape is similar to the climate of Southern France and Spain, so many Spanish grapes thrive in the area.
About 90 miles east of Tucson, Willcox is home to several vineyards, including Birds and Barrels. Enveloped by mountain vistas, this family-run winery offers no-frills sites suitable for grass tents, campers and RVs among around 50 acres of vines. Campers can take in the vineyard’s tours and tastings, spectacular sunsets and stargazing under clear night skies. They can also hike in the Chiricahua Mountains or walk to other wineries in the region.
Prices start at $25 a night.
Vineyard And Canvas In Rutland, England
Nestled in the beautiful English countryside, Vineyard and Canvas is sited on seven acres of private property. Along with grapevines, campers can enjoy secluded picnic areas, escape into private hideaways and explore the lush landscape.
The glamping site features luxurious canopy bell tents that comfortably sleep up to four adults. Each tent features handmade oak beds, contemporary furnishings, kitchen equipment and outdoor verandas. From the moment you arrive, you can relax and enjoy a bottle of wine while taking in the verdant fields.
Prices start at about $162 a night for canopy tents that sleep four people, but you can rent a basic campsite for around $53.
Wolds Wine Estate In Nottinghamshire, England
Planted in 2020 with its first wines becoming available next year, Wolds Wine Estate is a family vineyard that also grows a mixture of varieties of cider apple and perry pear trees. As a result, campers can enjoy a firsthand experience of starting a winery from the ground up.
However, a stay here would never be considered “roughing it.” The vineyard has two- and four-person luxury pods available to rent. These modern glamping cabins have sleek design features, full kitchens, furnished bedrooms and cozy sitting areas that look out onto the property. Group activities available include wine tastings, vineyard yoga and cocktail-making classes.
Prices start at about $138 a night.
Wine Camp HažiÄ In MeÄimurje, Croatia
If you happen to be traveling through Croatia’s hilly, green MeÄimurje County, you won’t want to miss a stay at this stunning family-operated farm and vineyard. Nestled in the countryside, Wine Camp HažiÄ features powered tent and RV sites, and some mobile homes may be available.
There is also a wooden wine house boasting panoramic views of the hillside that serves local specialties like cured meats, cheeses and Croatian black bread, made from dark, whole wheat flour. These samplings are perfect to pair with the vineyard’s homegrown white and sparkling wines, cider and apple juice.
Prices start at about $47.
Le Clos Des Epinettes In Loir-Et-Cher, France
This truly unique glamping experience lies in the heart of France’s Loire Valley and within walking distance to the region’s famed vineyards and historic chateaux. Le Clos des Epinettes is a quaint campground with charming gypsy wagons equipped with double beds and cozy futons. Wine lovers can enjoy an idyllic outdoor experience at the campground.
Amenities include bathrooms, a barbecue area and a kitchen. Staff is available to prepare breakfasts, as well. Angé, a village with river walks and a small bar, is less than a mile away.
Prices start at around $93 a night.
Quinta De Santa Marinha In Arcos De Valdevez, Portugal
In the hills of Arcos de Valdevez along the northern frontier of Portugal and Galicia, Spain, Quinta de Santa Marinha overlooks the immense Douro River Valley, a historical wine region. Although the property is small, the views are breathtaking.
Campsites include electric hook-ups, wooden compost toilets and free Wi-Fi connections. As a bonus, campers have access to wine-tasting sessions and organic dishes prepared by the resident chef and owner. Tours of the vineyard are also available.
Prices start at about $11 a night for a power-optional travel trailer site.
Check out Pitchup.com for even more unique camping and glamping sites. You can find places to stay in beautiful locations around the world or even in your own neck of the woods.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/crime-and-courts/lodge-grass-man-sentenced-for-decades-old-sex-crimes-against-minors
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BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man who was convicted by a jury of sexually abusing two children in the 1990s on the Northern Cheyenne and the Crow Indian reservations was sentenced Thursday to 14 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said in a news release.
Donald Ray Gardner, 58, was found guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of abusive sexual contact in October 2021.
The government alleged at trial that Gardner sexually abused two young girls over multiple occasions. Gardner engaged in a sexual act and in sexual contact with a victim, identified as Jane Doe 1, in 1994 in Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
The government further alleged Gardner engaged in a sexual act and in sexual contact with another victim, identified as Jane Doe 2, in the Crow Agency area on the Crow Reservation in 1996 and in 1998. Both victims were under the age of 12 at the time.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/ffa-students-serving-up-tacos-while-learning-new-skills
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BOZEMAN — Students from all over the state gathered in Bozeman to participate in the 92nd Annual FFA Montana State Conference, and some students decided to feed competitors after their competition.
Missoula County is unique, where they operate their own farm and meat processing plant, allowing students hands-on experience. Raising livestock from birth to processing, and with the FFA Taco Booth, now to the business side of agriculture.
“We need to get back to our roots, and this program is teaching kids to do that. How to grow their own food, how to process their own food, how to eat their own food,” Walter Schweitzer said.
Schweitzer is the President of the Montana Farmers Union and assisted the Missoula County FFA team to acquire a freezer van to transport food. Prior, the students would deliver and transfer using coolers in the back of a pick-up truck, Schweitzer said.
The Missoula County students made the trip to the convention and prepared to feed hungry competitors.
“It’s also good to know that you’re serving the community around you, with all the food that we’ve grown out at the farm,” Wilson Bordner, an FFA member said.
The ingredients used in the booth come straight from the farm in Missoula—everything from the lettuce, tomatoes, and, of course, the beef.
“None of my kids now—and for the last 10 years—I’ve never had a student that has come from a production-agriculture background,” agriculture teacher Tom Andres said.
Andres notes that the students working in the booth today learn all of these skills on the job, not through prior experience growing up. Students like Kody Skaggs have used skills and time spent in the program to earn college credit.
“I feel very proud with what I’m able to accomplish through this school,” Skaggs said.
The booth has been operational for three years, and in the future the school and students are hoping to attend more events.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/top-stories-from-todays-montana-this-morning-april-1-2022
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Top stories from today's Montana This Morning, Friday, April 1, 2022 - latest local news and headlines from across the world.
Posted at 8:28 AM, Apr 01, 2022
and last updated 2022-04-01 10:28:50-04
Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-getting-advanced-screenings-of-father-stu-based-on-the-life-of-helena-priest
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HELENA — There will be several special screenings in Montana of the new “Father Stu” movie, a Sony Pictures film that follows the life of Helena native Fr. Stuart Long.
Actor and producer Mark Walberg will be joined by director and writer Rosalind Ross in Helena on Monday, April 4 for the Montana premiere of “Father Stu” Monday evening at the Helena Cinemark. The premiere will be a private event, but MTN will have a reporter on the red carpet to get reactions from the attendees.
There will also be advanced screenings of the film across the state next week as part of a fundraising event for the Capital High School Alumni Class of 1981 Memorial Endowment Scholarship. The scholarship benefits Capital High students and honors all the classmates of 1981 that have passed, including Fr. Stu Long.
Fr. Stu Long was a beloved priest in the Helena area who passed away in 2010. He grew up in the Queen City of the Rockies and played football for both the Capital High Bruins and the Carroll College Saints. Long also won the 1985 Golden Gloves heavyweight title for Montana and was runner-up in 1986.
After a jaw injury from prizefighting, Long made the decision to move to Los Angelos to take a shot at becoming a movie star. However, Long became disillusioned with the industry eventually becoming the manager of the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.
Riding his motorcycle home from the museum one evening, he was struck by a car, then run over by another. The near-fatal experience prompted him to explore his religious faith which ultimately lead to his baptism as a Roman Catholic so that he could marry his girlfriend at the time.
Long said he felt the calling to become a priest during his baptism. In the following years, he’d explore his faith to make sure the calling was genuine. He received his priestly formation for the Diocese of Helena at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon and was ordained a priest by Bishop Thomas on December 14, 2007, at St. Helena Cathedral.
While in seminary, Long was diagnosed with inclusion body myositis, an extremely rare autoimmune disease that mimics the symptoms of ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and for which there is no cure. Despite his illness, which limited his movement, Long took up ministry at Big Sky Care Center. Using a power chair, and with the tireless assistance of Bill Long, his father, Fr. Stu spread his love throughout Helena’s parishes.
Fr. Stu passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, June 9, 2014, at the Big Sky Care Center. He was 50 years old at the time.
Capital High School Alumni Class of 1981 Memorial Endowment Scholarship screenings next week in Montana.
- Missoula - The Roxy Theater - Wednesday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.
- Helena - Mynra Loy Center - Friday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m.
- Billings - Babcock Theater - Saturday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m.
Those interested in attending the early screenings should purchase their tickets in advance. More information about the Capital High School Alumni Class of 1981 Memorial Endowment Scholarship can be found on their Facebook page.
"Father Stu" will open in theaters on Holy Wednesday, April 13.
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DETROIT, Mich. — Facial recognition technology is being used by law enforcement to help solve crimes. However, many believe that technology is doing more harm than good.
“It's been two years and it's still, we're still talking about it,” said Melissa Williams.
Williams remembers the night her husband Robert was arrested in front of her and their two daughters like it was yesterday.
“They had no reason to arrest me. I still can't figure out why I was arrested, other than they said, I look like somebody,” said Robert Williams.
Two Detroit police officers met Robert at his front door as he was coming home from work. The Williams family lives in Farmington, more than half an hour away from the city. The officers told Robert he was a suspect in a crime and took him to jail.
“I was like, ‘Y'all got the wrong person,’” said Williams.
Robert was detained for 30 hours. When police questioned him, they showed him photos of a theft suspect their facial recognition technology matched to Williams’ driver’s license, but it wasn’t him.
“So he turns over the last one, and says, ‘So I guess computer got it wrong. And I'm like, ‘Well, yeah, the computer got it wrong, because that's not me. And that's not me either,’” Robert said.
Robert worked with the ACLU of Michigan, and his case was dismissed.
“But I still had to go to court on this as if I had a felony charged for stealing,” Robert said.
“This is exactly what we had been warning about, for years and months preceding that, that this type of thing was happening,” said Phil Mayor, a lawyer with the ACLU of Michigan.
There have been two additional widely known cases of wrongful arrests due to facial recognition technology in the United States. One occurred in Detroit. The other happened in New Jersey.
Mayor said he is worried this is just the start.
“When we let the technology take the first steps, we let the technology lead us, we make mistakes,” said Mayor.
A 2018 study by MIT found some facial classification software misidentifies people of color at higher rates than white individuals. Algorithms have advanced since then, and there have not been follow up studies to reaffirm these findings. Still, many believe those biases still exist within the technology.
“We'd like them to not use it because it's a flawed tool,” said Melissa Williams of law enforcement relying on this technology.
With privacy and fairness concerns, regulations are starting to become more common. At least seven states and nearly two dozen cities have limited government use of the technology. This is something Colorado based activist Connor Swatling would like to see more.
“With law enforcement specifically, we believe it has to be held to a higher standard,” said Swatling. “Right now, the technology is not in such a place where we feel that standard has been met.”
Swatling and his group ran tests on several facial recognition software programs to find it wrongly matched high ranking city officials with people on the sex offender registry.
Still, other activists say limiting facial recognition now is a safety risk. Last year, Virginia banned the use of facial recognition for law enforcement—this year the ban was overturned after officials felt it was needed for investigations.
“There's been hundreds of thousands of investigations that have been aided by the use of this technology,” said Jake Parker, the Senior Director of Government Relations at the Security Industry Association. “It doesn't make sense to completely ban the technology. But it makes more sense to establish parameters for it.”
Parker points to huge advances in the technology in just the last couple years alone and says the top algorithms are moving past biases. The NIST “leaderboards” on facial recognition have ranked facial recognition algorithms, and Parker hopes people will review these before making assessments on the technology.
“In the ongoing test series that includes clear race/gender demographic categories, the top 80 algorithms are 99% accurate across the white male, black male, white female, and black female categories, and for the top 40, white male is actually the LOWEST performing demographic of those four within that narrow range,” said Parker.
Still, concerns exist. “I believe this is truly a bipartisan issue,” said Swatling. “Whether you are more concerned about governmental overreach or racial injustice, this issue impacts you.”
For the Williams family, the impact took an emotional toll they are still working through. They just hope changes are made before another family endures their struggle.
“If it happened to me, it can happen to anybody,” said Robert. “Maybe one day it will be useful, but at the current, no, I'm not behind it.”
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ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla. — Two of four students who were hit by a car while waiting for a school bus last week have died, authorities said.
Both students were reportedly 15-years-old.
They were among the four students who were rushed to the hospital on March 22 after a vehicle drove onto the sidewalk where they were waiting for their school bus.
Video from Scripps station WPTV shows the badly damaged SUV.
According to NBC News, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old are still recovering from their injuries.
They all attended Royal Palm Beach Community High School.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/faith-leaders-in-korean-american-community-tackle-domestic-abuse
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ATHENS, Ga. — For immigrant women, escaping domestic abuse can be difficult. Language barriers and complex laws don’t help.
A year after eight Asian women were murdered in Atlanta, we’re still grappling with the objectification and stereotypes that sparked that rampage.
But conversations about violence perpetrated against Asian American women are happening. One program focused on faith leaders is helping them address domestic violence in the Korean American community.
For decades, places of worship have played a central role in immigrant communities in the United States helping them find jobs, housing and social programs.
“Whether that’s a mosque or a temple or a church. And for the Korean American population, that is exactly the same,” said Joon Choi, an associate professor at the University of Georgia Athens school of social work.
For Korean Americans, about 70% to 80% percent associate with protestant churches.
It’s why Choi who was researching domestic violence prevention, focused on houses of worship.
“From my experiences working as a counselor for domestic violence survivors and American domestic violence survivors, I found that many of them reach out to their ministers for help,” said Choi.
But Choi found a little more than half of the pastors surveyed felt confident in addressing the needs of domestic violence victims.
“A lot of time these religious leaders would like to help these women and these survivors. However, they don't know how to do that,” said Choi.
“Many pastors and many of the Korean community doesn't exactly realize what is domestic violence,” said Reverend Paul Joo, a priest at One in Christ Episcopal Church in Prospect Heights, Illinois.
Joo says one obstacle he’s seen is the cultural embarrassment and stigma attached to issues of domestic violence.
“When we talk about it's a shame for me. It's a shame our family. Shame not only me. Shame to my husband and wife, too. So, we keep the secret,” said Joo.
Using a half-million-dollar grant from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, Choi worked with partners like fellow public health professor Pamela Orpinas, experts in domestic violence prevention and the Korean American faith community to develop a pastor training program.
“Addressing this from a Korean perspective with the language, with the Korean pastors, feedback was very important,” said Orpinas.
Taught in Korean, the online module portion presents the trainee with virtual case simulations allowing them to learn and make choices on how to confidently proceed.
“It really helps them to see what type of responses they provide to these survivors, how they can be helpful or unhelpful for them,” said Choi.
Over the last three years, more than 100 pastors from Chicago and Washington D.C. have gone through the program. It’s also helped them join hands with Asian American violence prevention organizations like KAN-WIN.
“This really made an opportunity for us to connect with them, dispel the myths surrounding gender-based violence, and also talk about options and resources for survivors, which is not many people know about them,” said Ji Hye Kim, executive director at KAN-WIN.
For Reverend Joo, the training has created a paradigm shift.
“It changed the concept of the domestic violence. And secondly, how do we approach how do we solve the problem?” said Joo.
But Choi says much more needs to be done.
“This is really a campaign that's targeting people to speak up against domestic violence and also when they see survivors reaching out and then actually helping survivors to connect to services,” said Choi.
With another DOJ grant, she plans to expand the training to more pastors, spouses and partners in Korean American communities across the country.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/flight-makes-emergency-landing-after-windshield-shatters
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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KSTU) — A Delta flight leaving from the Salt Lake City International Airport had to make an emergency landing after the plane's windshield shattered while in the air on Thursday.
A passenger on the plane, Dr. Kirk Knowlton, snapped a picture of the cracked windshield.
In a tweet, Knowlton said that during the flight, it was announced the plane would need to make an emergency landing in Denver because of the window.
The plane was headed to Washington D.C. before it had to land. Delta Air Lines said there were 198 passengers on the flight.
Knowlton said the crew told passengers the shattered window happened spontaneously.
The plane was able to safely land in Denver and passengers were able to catch another flight.
Knowlton acknowledged that the Delta crew was able to handle the situation "very nicely."
Representatives from Delta Air Lines released a statement in regard to the incident:
"Delta flight 760 from Salt Lake City to Washington D.C. experienced a maintenance issue mid-flight. Out of an abundance of caution, the flight crew diverted into Denver and the plane landed routinely. Our team worked quickly to accommodate customers on a new plane, and we sincerely apologize for the delay and inconvenience to their travel plans."
This story was originally reported by Melanie Porter on fox13now.com.
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The House is likely to pass legislation Friday that would decriminalize marijuana nationwide.
Marijuana is still illegal on the federal level, but if the House votes on the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, also known as the “MORE” Act, it would remove marijuana from the list of scheduled controlled substances.
The legislation would leave it up to states to set their own laws surrounding marijuana.
It would also release people who are incarcerated on cannabis-related offenses of fewer than 30 grams and erase criminal penalties for those who were convicted of manufacturing, distributing or possessing it.
The bill would impose a federal tax on marijuana sales.
If the MORE Act passes the House, it will then head to the Senate where it would need 60 votes, including the support of at least 10 Republican senators if every Democratic senator backed it, in order for it to advance.
The vote on Friday will be the second time House Democrats have voted in favor of decriminalizing marijuana, after previously advancing the legislation in 2020.
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Sources tell various outlets, including the Hill and Axios, that White House press secretary Jen Psaki plans to leave her job for an on-air role at MSNBC.
Psaki has been serving the White House since 2009. She first began as White House Deputy Press Secretary under then-president Barack Obama.
Sources say Psaki is expected to leave the White House in May.
She will host a show on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform.
Sources tell Axios that Psaki has not yet signed a contract, nor has the move been formally announced.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/more-than-430-000-jobs-added-in-march-marking-new-low-in-unemployment-rate
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431,000 jobs were added in March, according to numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday.
The added jobs brought the unemployment rate down to a pandemic-era low of 3.6%.
President Joe Biden said on Friday that people are making more money and finding better jobs, thanks to the American Rescue Plan.
Economists had estimated that more jobs would be added in March.
Job growth was especially strong in the leisure and hospitality sector, as well as in professional and business services.
Hourly wages increased 0.4% from the previous month, which is about what economists expected.
The average hourly pay is about 5.6% higher than it was one year ago.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/police-man-was-traveling-157-mph-in-crash-that-killed-1-injured-2
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FORT WORTH, Texas — A 22-year-old man is in major trouble after traveling what police say was 157 miles per hour in a 70-mph zone on westbound I-20 before colliding with a silver SUV, killing one and injuring two.
Bryce Abernathy, who was arrested by Fort Worth police traffic investigators, faces two counts of aggravated assault and one count of manslaughter in connection with the mid-March crash.
“The airbag control module indicated the Camaro was traveling 157 mph in a 70-mph zone,” a Fort Worth police Facebook post said Thursday. “Reckless driving is irresponsible, egregious, and dangerous. Drivers are encouraged to exercise caution and responsibility when operating a motor vehicle.”
This story was first reported by Doug Myers at KXXV in Waco, Texas.
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People will likely pay more at grocery stores and restaurants this year.
The Department of Agriculture released its price outlook for 2022 and it shows that inflation is hitting the food industry.
"Food price increases are expected to be above the increases observed in 2020 and 2021," the agency says.
Prices from food at the grocery store are expected to increase up to 4%. Prices at restaurants could increase by 6.5%, the USDA says. If that holds true, it would exceed historical averages, according to the USDA.
The poultry and dairy industries are facing some of the highest inflation rates. Prices for poultry products could go up 7% and dairy product prices could see a 5% increase this year, the USDA said.
Fresh vegetable prices are among the products with the lowest inflation rate. The USDA says they are expected to go up by about 2.5%.
Farmers are also feeling the pinch. Ukraine and Russia are among the largest suppliers of wheat. The conflict between the two countries is expected to lead to an increase in wheat prices of up to 23%.
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ST. IGNATIUS - The return of more priceless tribal artifacts, saved by an expert's touch, brings healing to members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT).
Thursday was a day for amazement, and thankfulness, at the Three Chiefs Cultural Center in St. Ignatius, as lead conservator Nancy Fonicello of Ancient Artways Conservation returned more of the artifacts damaged in the 2020 fire that destroyed the People's Center, including some of the most significant in the tribes' history.
- RELATED: Return of more tribal artifacts brings "healing" for CSKT members
- RELATED: Restoration work continues, no decision yet on CSKT museum location
- RELATED: Legacy art returns to CSKT after devastating fire
PHOTOS: Restoration of fire-damaged items progressing at Three Chiefs Cultural Center
"So these items are coming home again today and, yeah," Program Director Marie Torosian told the people who gathered as her voice caught for a moment. "I mean, I'm sorry. I get emotional when I think about it."
Emotional because the tribes' legacy was nearly destroyed. Now, pieces like this vest worn by Chief Martin Charlo in the 1920s are saved. Tribal leaders say the heartbreak was like a death in the family, met with resolve by the museum staff.
"And I saw that same kind of feeling, just heartbreak and yet balancing that with the real toughness," Tribal member and historian Steve Lozar noted. "This woman and her and her staff that night, to see them up close. And to see how hard it was for their hearts."
Conservator Nancy Fonicello of Ancient Artways Conservation says it's been an honor to head the recovery efforts.
"It's not just one single material. You've got leather, you've got beadwork. You've got feathers. You've got brass. You've got all different kinds of threads and fabrics. And so you have to consider all the different materials when you're working on cleaning them. What works for one material doesn't necessarily work for the piece that's right next to it."
Fonicello told MTN News me the work is focused on cleaning as much as possible, and it's astonishing to see what's been done. Although some pieces will always bear evidence of that terrible night.
"We don't do any permanent changes, any adhesives. Anything we do as conservators has to be reversible completely and documented."
But this project is about more than restoring priceless artifacts. It's also about healing from one of the most devastating events in recent tribal history. Healing for both the families who created and donated this work over more than a century and the museum staff.
"That family you know, and this is a really powerful day for them," Vern Finley of the Kootenai Culture Committee observed.
Powerful for the tribe — but also for Fonicello to work so intimately with each piece — and empower the museum staff and volunteers to preserve the past for the future.
"Some of these pieces take hours, hours And you're with the piece constantly and you're thinking about who made it and the history of it. And you do get emotionally involved with them."
Finley feels the training Fonicello has given the tribe, including how to organize the records of the collection, has been invaluable.
"Nancy and the training she has provided and the assistance that she's provided. And it shows her humble nature because even though this is much her work she gives so much credit to everybody else."
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As you’re getting everything ready to help the Easter Bunny stuff those festive baskets, it might be easy to forget that the grown-ups should have some fun, too. After all the Easter Egg coloring and getting the little ones into their holiday finest, the adults deserve a little something special.
If you happen to pick up a few extra chocolate Easter bunnies during your holiday preparations, tuck them aside to make an absolutely genius idea from Gastronom. Sure, the candy treats are tasty on their own (we love eating the ears first, by the way). But the creative Gastronom team of Jay and Leah takes chocolate bunnies to a whole new level by transforming them into cocktail cups!
These Funny Bunny cocktails are the creators’ way to allow adults “to relive their childhood and get their very own chocolate bunny,” they said. Then, they get to enjoy a special mixed drink just for grown-ups!
Obviously, the first step is to create the bunny tiki mugs. This requires simply trimming the ears off a chocolate bunny. You can present your guest with a whole bunny and let them eat the ears (our choice!). Or, prep the bunny cups in advance and cut the ears off with a knife. You can eat the ears yourself if you’d like. We won’t judge you!
Without the ears, the chocolate bunny is hollow and ready to be transformed into a tiki mug. That’s where the Funny Bunnies — Chocolate Easter Cocktails recipe enters the party.
The ingredients for the cocktail include:
- Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur
- Scotch whiskey
- Banana liqueur
- Grapefruit juice
- Bitters (the recipe creators recommend Aztec Chocolate Bitters and Cardamom)
Here is the full recipe and instructions on how to prepare and enjoy this delicious drink. It couldn’t be easier to make and would be a fun addition to your holiday celebrations. Cheers!
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories.
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TUCSON, Ariz. — Humorless, sullen, and brooding, "Morbius" ratchets up the emo factor to ludicrous levels.
Jared Leto stars as the title character, an anti-hero so obsessed with curing his chronic blood disease that he accidentally becomes a superhuman vampire.
Hey, these things tend to happen when you spend too much time in a top-secret basement lab tinkering with vampire bat blood.
Credit goes to Leto for managing to take the role seriously, even as his face monster-morphs via cheesy CGI and a humdrum script gives him little to do but sit around and be sad that he's a superhuman antihero vampire. Sure, he would do good, but men got to eat and ketchup isn't going to cut it.
Mixing elements of the recent cinematic origin stories of Dr. Strange, Venom, and Batman, director Daniel Espinosa's drama takes on the thankless task of telling a lackadaisical origin story to crank out another misunderstood villain for Spider-Man to sling webs at.
The movie shows promise in its first half, which eschews the comic book flick convention of a clear-cut enemy. Instead, the film is all about Morbius's lamenting introspection. Eventually, though, the clunky plot mechanics kick into gear, and the film's momentum drains away like blood from the neck of a hapless anti-hero superhuman vampire victim.
Supporting characters include Matt Smith as Milo — Morbius's bestie who also craves healing from a similar blood syndrome — and Adria Arjona as Martine, a doctor who aids Morbius in his research. All the real character development, though, falls to Morbius himself. Everyone around him is just gloomy window dressing.
As disappointing as the movie may be, its post-credit sequence is even worse. Two bizarre, out-of-place teases to future films involving Venom, Spider-Man and Morbius are clunky and forced, inspiring more dread than anticipation.
That's life as Morbius, all right. No wonder he's so sad.
Viewed Thursday at Harkins Arizona Pavilions.
RATING: 2 stars out of 4.
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Phil Villarreal is the senior real-time editor for KGUN 9. He is also a digital producer and host of "Phil on Film" seen weekly on Good Morning Tucson, Phil moved to KGUN after 17 years with the Arizona Daily Star, where he was a movie critic, columnist, and reporter. He has penned three books: Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel, Stormin' Mormon and Zeta Male. A University of Arizona business graduate, he has four children. Share your story ideas and important issues with Phil by emailing phil.villarreal@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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https://www.kxlf.com/entertainment/kirby-and-the-forgotten-land-is-a-joyous-shape-shifting-romp
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TUCSON, Ariz. — Nintendo's favorite pink puffball mascot is back in "Kirby and the Forgotten Land," a free-wheeling, fun, and lighthearted platformer.
The challenges and set pieces in the joyous ramp slapped smile upon a smile on my face. Not only is the Switch exclusive one of the best outings for the shape-shifting hero, but it's also one of the best games on the system, period.
The true genius of the game is its accessibility. New players can plunge in without any knowledge of Kirby or his powers, but hardcore gamers still get plenty to chew on. Escalating, optional challenges abound for those who want to test their skills to the limit.
All players enjoy the mesmerizing visuals, which pile colossal enemies set against vivid, imaginative landscapes. Traditionally, Kirby games were set in cartoon-style worlds.
Still, the new entry adds real-world elements, creating a wild and charming juxtaposition that makes it compelling to seek out the surprises hiding around the next corner.
As has been the case since the hero was first introduced in 1992, Kirby swallows up enemies to take on their powers. He can be a sword-and-shield-swinging knight moment and an anthropomorphic vehicle the next.
While many of the game's puzzle scenarios have one clear solution, some have multiple paths that test and reward your creativity.
A multiplayer component allows a second player to join in on the action as Kirby's sidekick Waddle Dee. Players can team up to truck through the game or take pleasure in griefing one another, stalling the progress while piling up the laughs.
If the game has a flaw, the combat and health meter tend to be too forgiving, casting a "nerfed" sensation among even the most formidable baddies. While several encounters provide a stiff challenge, there's nothing much that will send you spiraling into an "Elden Ring"-style despair.
What "Kirby and the Forgotten Land" is best at is affirmation. Its boundless sense of fun, light challenge, and optimism is a bright spot in the often dour, super-serious gaming world.
When you're playing as Kirby, you're never quite beaten as long as you've got the will and a plan.
Publishers provided a review code.
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Phil Villarreal is the senior real-time editor for KGUN 9. He is also a digital producer and host of "Phil on Film" seen weekly on Good Morning Tucson, Phil moved to KGUN after 17 years with the Arizona Daily Star, where he was a movie critic, columnist, and reporter. He has penned three books: Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel, Stormin' Mormon and Zeta Male. A University of Arizona business graduate, he has four children. Share your story ideas and important issues with Phil by emailing phil.villarreal@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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https://www.kxlf.com/how-store-potatoes-onions-garlic/
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The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
People have lots of opinions on the best ways to store fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes? Keep them out of the dang fridge or they’ll lose their flavor! (Or not.) Berries need a rigorous bath. Fresh herbs require a multi-step storage technique to keep them vibrant.
When a home cook has to catalog all the optimal ways to keep food at its best, it’s no wonder that some of our hardier staples fall by the wayside. Have you ever given much thought to how to store potatoes? They’re so rough-and-tumble-looking, they seem like they’ll be fine no matter where they get shoved.
Have some sympathy, for even the staunchest potato is a little more delicate than it looks.
One of the first issues to show up in an improperly stored tater is a green tinge to its skin or flesh. Unless you’re an experienced gardener or a potato farmer, you may not think much about the potato’s life as a plant — it sprouts into a little green shrub, with crinkly leaves that look like a larger version of mint.
That green comes from chlorophyll, which helps change sunlight into energy. So guess what? When your potatoes start to go greenish, it’s because they’ve been exposed to light for too long.
Which wouldn’t be a big deal, except that green tint can indicate toxins are building up in the potato. Those toxins, called glycoalkaloids, can be harmful in large enough quantities. (Don’t worry too much — potato “poisoning” usually results in sleepiness and an irritated gut — but if it can be avoided, it should.)
How To Store Potatoes
This brings us to the first potato storage hint: Keep it dark. Spuds would prefer to stay underground, so try to mimic that cool darkness somewhere in your kitchen. According to The Kitchn, 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit is an ideal range, if possible.
It’s equally important to keep those taters dry. Not dry as in dessicated, but dry enough that the small amounts of water they release over time can evaporate — mold and bacteria love dampness. Food52 recommends using an organic cotton mesh bag, a ventilated container or a paper bag. Anything that will allow air to circulate.
Finally, potatoes should stay in their own container. Storing them closely with other produce, like bananas, can mingle their various off-gases, speeding up spoilage and possibly transferring flavors. (No one wants a banana-flavored baked potato with their steak.)
How To Store Onions And Garlic
So, we have our watchwords for how to store potatoes: Dark, dry, cool and secluded. And this also goes for the potato’s frequent companions, onions and garlic. Like potatoes, we eat the root part of these alliums. And, like potatoes, they’re happiest in the dark.
Onions are a little tricky: The type of onion can determine its happy place. In general, though, most varieties respond to the cool-dark-dry treatment. Sweet onions contain more liquid, according to The Spruce Eats, and don’t store well for long.
Garlic, however, is forgiving, especially as an intact head. The Pioneer Woman says a bulb can last up to six months in the right conditions — kept in one piece in a cool, dark, dry place. (Sensing a theme here?)
Whatever you do for all three of these flavorsome friends, don’t stash them in the refrigerator! The potatoes will turn sweet, and not in a good way. The garlic sprouts unpleasant-tasting green stems. Onions lose their crunch and become generally sad and gross.
Handy, then, that there are containers made especially to store these items! Check out these ideas from Amazon:
Home Acre Designs Set Of Three Kitchen Canisters
Available for $39.09, this set of cute, carbon-steel canisters looks old-fashioned, but each container has a nifty airtight lid. Which could be bad, except they also sport perfect little ventilation holes at the bottom of each canister! Yay! Gotta keep things aired out, right?
Reviewers seem to like them, too, with 84% giving the canisters a 5-star rating.
“The potato canister is a great size, holds an entire bag of potatoes easily,” wrote reviewer Angel. And Amy L titled her 5-star review “GREAT storage option for small spaces.”
Kito Living Canister Set
Priced at $49.90, these countertop cuties are a little different than the ones above: They’re stackable, for one thing. And the lids, while not airtight, are made of bamboo. Breathability for the win!
“This is a beautiful set, the perfect size, not only for my kitchen, but for the amounts of potatoes, onions and garlic I tend to buy,” wrote one reviewer named James R. Hazelton.
No matter what container you decide to use, treat your taters (and onions and garlic) with care, and they’ll treat your tastebuds right back!
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories.
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https://www.kxlf.com/never-lose-keys-tile-bluetooth-trackers/
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The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
How many times have you found yourself a little flustered trying to find your keys, wallet, phone or even the TV remote? For some reason, these necessities always seem to disappear at the worst times and wind up in the most unusual places. I can’t be the only person on the planet who wanders around my house muttering angrily about my misplaced items and wishing I had tracking devices on all of them.
It turns out some very smart people made that possible with a nifty little gadget. About a year or so ago, my husband and daughter introduced me to the Tile, a small Bluetooth tracker and locator system that sounded too simple to me to really be effective.
Turns out I was wrong.
In my own experience, the Tile Mate Essentials Four-Pack, which you can pick up on Amazon for $79.99, is honestly worth every penny. In this set, you get two Tile Mates, one Tile Slim and one Tile Sticker, each of which work inside a radius of 250 feet from the smart device you’ve paired them with.
The Tile Mates are small square trackers with a keyring hole that you can attach to your keys, purse, backpack or anything portable you might carry regularly and misplace. The Tile Sticker is round and can adhere to a remote control, video game controller, charger or other similar device. Finally, Tile Slim is credit card-shaped and can slip right into your wallet, passport, luggage tag or even a book, if you tend to misplace those.
These Tile trackers are not rechargeable but have a non-replaceable battery that will last up to three years before you need to buy a new one.
How Does Tile Work?
To use Tile’s system, all you need is a smartphone, a Tile device and the item you want to track. Download the Tile app to your smartphone (either iOS or Android), then, connect your Tile device to the app using Bluetooth.
For example, I have a Tile Mate attached to my car keyring, as you can see below. In the Tile app, I connected the Tile Mate via Bluetooth and labeled it as “Keys,” so I can quickly access it in the app.
Tile can be used in a couple of different ways. First, let’s say I can’t find my car keys as I’m trying to rush out the door. I can open the Tile app, press the Find button, and the Tile Mate on my keyring will automatically engage.
This sends a signal from my phone to the Tile Mate device, which starts beeping loudly. That may sound pretty basic, but even if I can’t hear the tone, the app displays a signal strength that changes in real time as I get farther from or closer to the Tile Mate. Your phone will vibrate more the closer you get to the missing item.
It’s basically a high-tech version of the Hot and Cold game with spot-on accuracy.
One of my daughters lost her keys while hiking during a trip to West Virginia. She almost panicked, but remembered she had a Tile tracker attached. She activated it in the app, and, even though it was farther away than the advertised 250-foot range, her smartphone was able to show the last location of the Tile on the keychain. She backtracked to that area and found them pretty quickly. That saved her a lot of trouble — and me, too, because I’d have had to drive a few hours to pick her up otherwise!
You can also use the Tile tracker to locate your missing phone. Tile Mate has a button on it that I can touch twice and it will activate an alarm on my phone, even if it is in silent mode.
A new feature even allows users to input contact information that people will see if they find your lost Tile and scan the QR code on the back. So, not only is the Tile system helpful for users to locate their own items, but it also can help others return lost things to the rightful owner.
If you ask me, it’s totally worth the price for that type of peace of mind and convenience.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/coronavirus/weekly-covid-update-for-montana-friday-april-1
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HELENA — There are 361 active COVID-19 cases in Montana as of Friday, April 1, 2022, down from 426 reported on Friday, March 25, 2022.
There were 238 new cases reported over the last week, according to the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS), down from 314 from the previous week.
The total number of deaths in Montana due to COVID-19 is now 3,249, with 15 newly reported deaths added since March 25.
As of Friday, there are 21 people hospitalized due to COVID-19, down from 27 last Friday. A total of 11,832 people have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 over the last two years.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Montana is now 272,621, an increase of 151 from last Friday, with 269,011 total recoveries.
The information above is from the DPHHS website and is current as of Friday, April, 2022; the state site is updated on weekdays (excluding holidays).
Note: As of February 28, 2022, MTN News is no longer posting daily COVID-19 updates due to the continuing decline in cases and increase in vaccinations. We are now posting weekly updates on Fridays.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/huntley-mans-battle-with-sleep-apnea-alleviated-with-new-technology
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BILLINGS — March is National Sleep Awareness Month and one Huntley man is finally able to get a good night’s rest after a 20-year battle with sleep apnea. New technology in the form of an implant has changed his life for the better.
Loran Hansen doesn’t remember when he first started struggling with sleep.
“I could fall asleep at a minute’s notice, anywhere, during the day, at night,” Hansen said.
His wife was the first one to raise the alarm. Hansen seemed to stop breathing when the couple would go to sleep.
“It made her nervous, so she’d reach over and hit me a couple of times to get me to wake back up,” Hansen said.
His lack of restful sleep was taking a toll on his job, his relationships, and even his personality.
“I know one of the things that my family speaks of is my irritability, short temper,” Hansen said.
He was diagnosed with sleep apnea after scheduling a sleep study. His story isn’t unique. Sleep disorders can take a toll on anyone’s health.
“It can affect cardiovascular health, it can affect the endocrine system, as well as long term inflammatory processes,” said nurse practitioner Amanda Abrams-Burkley.
Abrams-Burkley is a sleep and respiratory specialist at St. Vincent Healthcare. She’s been treating Hansen for the past two years.
Hansen had been using a positive airway pressure, or CPAP machine, to aid his breathing while he slept.
“Day and night difference, the quality of sleep I got was tremendous,” Hansen said.
Hansen still felt his sleep could be improved. That’s when Abrams-Burkley told him about the Inspire implant.
“The implant that Loran has uses a mild stimulation to the airway muscles to help hold the airway open,” said Abrams-Burkley.
The implant was inserted in Hansen’s chest with a connection between the implant and a nerve in his neck.
“It’s not a hindrance towards anything. It’s not uncomfortable,” Hansen said.
The technology has been around since 2014, but it’s just recently been covered by most insurance companies.
Hansen is able to control the implant with a remote. It’s as simple as pressing a button right before he goes to sleep, and then he’s out like a light.
“The quality of life is a ton better. I feel like there’s not a whole lot that I can’t do in a day,” Hansen said.
Abrams-Burkley urges those struggling with sleep disorders to reach out to their primary caregiver to find a solution.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national-politics/the-race/group-proves-that-solving-gun-violence-problem-must-be-a-community-effort
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DETROIT, Mich. — Phil Sample’s life today is much different than it once was. He used to hustle on the streets of Detroit. Now, he's part of Ceasefire Detroit, a team of clergy members, community advocates, and former gang members who reach out to those who are at risk of gun violence.
"If you ride through my neighborhood, it's a mess and I was there— part of that mess and I survived. So the question is why, you know, why didn't I die with my homeboy," Sample said.
Bishop Daryl Harris is the faith-based coordinator of Ceasefire. He's helping hook young people up with resources to get them to break away from gun violence.
"We have to get persons involved in the work who are tried and true here to stay that people can know there is hope, and there is a way out of this. It may take us a while to figure it out, but there's a way out," he said.
Detroit police identify people on the street who are crime adjacent. They could be victims of a shooting or in a gang. Once they are identified, Ceasefire is called. The outreach team then meets the people where they're at, making it clear they are different from law enforcement. The people are given a choice: get help or risk getting arrested down the road.
"We're the ones that come in and say, 'Hey, you know, do you need another place to stay right now? Do you need food services right now? Do you need clothing right now? Do you need to get your family out of the city right now,'" said Harris.
Last year, the Gun Violence Archive recorded more than 20,000 gun deaths nationwide, the most since they’ve been keeping track. In Detroit, they saw a 27% increase in homicides and 44% increase in non-fatal shootings.
"The foundation of all the work we do is community. We are the community that we serve," said Chief James White of the Detroit Police Department.
He says he realizes that law enforcement can’t reverse the numbers alone. Along with several initiatives, like paying young people $15 per hour to get their GED, hiring officers from the community, and a five-point initiative to bring down crime, he says working with community partners like Ceasefire has helped them lower non-fatal shootings this year by 21% and homicides by 15%.
"Some people, when they don't have the economic means may choose to commit crime to take care of their families. So you've got to disrupt the pipeline to prison with a lot of innovative ideas and thinking through what drives crime, and I think Ceasefire is probably one of the most effective ways to do that," White said.
Distinguishing themselves from police is crucial to gaining the trust of the people they try to help, however, the symbiotic partnership between the two organizations is extremely important to reach the right people.
"To be frank, I'm not from a place where we were all buddy-buddy with the police or whatnot, but I'm working with anybody that's trying to save these babies," said Sample.
The Ceasefire initiative is in other cities like Boston, New York and Chicago. People, both nationally and internationally, have gotten in touch with the team in Detroit to learn from them.
"The public is the most important piece to public safety, so what would it be like if we could pull everyone together and say, 'This is what we need to do, this is what needs to happen in order for all of us, the public, to actually feel safe,'" said Harris.
From mentoring to helping them find a job, Ceasefire believes that every community needs to help stop the hurting in America.
"The streets need to activate 'cause it's a community thing," said Sample.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national-politics/the-race/i-felt-very-trapped-breaking-the-sex-trafficking-cycle-takes-a-holistic-approach-experts-say
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DETROIT, Mich. — Trafficking affects thousands of people every year.
"My trafficking started at a young age and so for a long time I was in denial that I was a victim of trafficking," said Yolanda, who did not want to use her full name for the story.
For years, she was trafficked around the Midwest. She knew she wanted to get out, but didn’t know how. The people trafficking her made her believe she was dependent on them.
"I felt very trapped," Yolanda said.
She wants others to know that people are out there to help victims of trafficking.
"It just makes you feel so powerful to finally be able to step away and say, 'I'm never going back, I'm never going back because I don't have to,'" she said.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 16,658 victims called last year, some from every state in the country. However, experts say that due to how the industry preys on the silence of victims, this only represents a fraction of the problem.
"We also know that there's consistent evidence, that it is way underreported," said Amy Good, CEO of Detroit's Alternatives for Girls, a nonprofit that helps trafficking survivors start a new life with resources.
It’s estimated that 15,000 to 50,000 people are forced into trafficking in the U.S. every year.
Yolanda is one of the women helped by Alternatives for Girls. She says organizations like them are a critical lifeline.
"I started getting my legal issues taken care of, they helped me with food. We started working on shelter. We had counseling and life skills," said Yolanda.
From providing emergency shelter, clothes, job training, and daycare for children, the help someone needs to start a new life away from being trapped must be holistic and catered to the individual, the team at Alternative for Girls says. However, they say the work shouldn’t stop with organizations like theirs.
"We need community awareness because the more people are aware, the more people can be allies to help people protect themselves and to help recognize when you can sound the alarm," said Good.
Breaking out of trafficking is difficult and complicated, but as Yolanda testifies, there are people out there who can help and it’s worth the work.
"It wasn't everybody's choice to be out in the street. Somebody, some of us was just running from something or someone, you know, it's tough. The streets are tough, but what's your life worth to you," said Yolanda.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/a-cry-for-help-new-cdc-data-shows-many-teens-have-been-emotionally-abused-by-parents
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New data from public health experts paints a picture of how teens’ mental health suffered during the pandemic.
According to a CDC survey, more than 55% of high school students said they suffered emotional abuse from a parent, guardian or other adult in their house in 2021.
Emotional abuse was defined as being sworn at, insulted or put down.
More than 11% said they suffered physical abuse.
Students who identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual were more likely to report physical abuse and they were more likely to have attempted suicide.
Data gathered before the pandemic showed that reports of emotional abuse were much lower.
In 2013, nearly 14% of students said they were emotionally abused by their parents.
5.5% reported physical abuse that same year.
In a statement, CDC Acting Principal Deputy Director Debra Houry said the new data “echo a cry for help.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created traumatic stressors that have the potential to further erode students’ mental wellbeing,” she said.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/advocates-explain-bruce-williss-aphasia-diagnosis-and-how-it-affects-communication
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Many people are learning about aphasia for the first time since the announcement of Bruce Willis’s diagnosis.
It’s a brain disorder that affects people's ability to communicate.
There are different forms of aphasia that can also affect a person's cognitive ability.
Those who work with and advocate for people living with the disorder want you to know what it's like for them.
Darlene Williamson is a speech language pathologist and president of the National Aphasia Association.
“The first thing that people with aphasia want others to know is that I’m still me, I’m still in here. it's just the words that I’m having trouble accessing,” Williamson explained.
“Think of aphasia like being in a foreign country where you don't speak the language and you're being asked to understand what people are saying, respond, read and write and it's all very difficult for you if you don't speak the language,” she said.
Williamson says there are an estimated 2 million people living with the disorder.
“Even people with primary progressive aphasia, which is a deteriorating condition can benefit from expert treatment, medical treatment and speech language pathology to maintain their communication skills,” she said.
She says people with aphasia may learn new ways to communicate through pictures.
A strong family support system is also key.
“The primary tip is to always allow extra time to engage with the person and allow them time to process and come up with the language that they need to communicate their thoughts,” Williamson said.
Improving life quality is the greater goal for people living with aphasia.
Williamson says they like to work with the individual in their environment on the goals that are most important to them.
The National Aphasia Association has all resources on communication available on its website.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/ford-recalls-737-000-vehicles-to-fix-oil-leak-software-error
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Ford has issued two recalls that affect more than 737,000 vehicles due to an oil leak issue and software error.
On the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, the Michigan-based automaker recalls 345,451 vehicles, including the 2020 through 2022 Ford Escape SUV and the 2021 and 2022 Bronco Sport SUV with 1.5-Liter engines.
Those vehicles are being recalled because the engine oil separator housing may crack, which could cause an oil leak.
Dealers will replace the housing, if necessary, free of charge. Owners will be notified beginning April 18.
Another recall to fix the trailer braking system affects 391,836 vehicles, including 2021 and 2022 F-150 pickups, 2022 F-250, 350, 450, and 550s, 2022 Maverick pickup, Ford Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator SUVs.
According to the recall, a software error could result in trailers not braking, which increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the software free of charge. Owners will begin to be notified starting April 18.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/housing-market-could-slow-in-a-few-markets-over-the-next-12-months
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KALAMAZOO, Mich — If you're a buyer in the U.S. looking for a good deal on a new home, things aren't looking great.
"Currently there are no markets where home prices are declining," said Selma Hepp, the deputy chief economist with CoreLogic company.
They identified 13 markets where prices have a greater than 50% chance of falling over the next 12 months — four on the West Coast, two in Arizona, four in the Northeast, and three in Michigan.
"We look at a number of characteristics. One is income change, employment change, or expected employment change, there is debt to income ratio, there is new construction, percent of distressed sales, income change" said Hepp.
Kalamazoo, Michigan is one of those markets. So I came out to see what is it about this market that we all can learn from.
"It's been a hot market here so houses have been flying off the market here in a couple of days and it's been really low inventory. At one time we don't have a lot of houses on the market, so buyers are really having to compete with each other," said Ashley Sayles, a real estate agent in Kalamazoo.
Right now, she says the market is hot, but the report indicates a change.
"We still have a really low inventory. We still don't have a lot of houses on the market and even with interest rates rising a little bit right now, that doesn't solve our inventory problem," said Sayles.
But I asked Selma to look at Kalamazoo specifically. She identified key numbers that any of us can watch for in our areas.
"It seems like income growth compared to other areas may be a little bit slower, a little bit higher unemployment rate, there's been a lot of home price growth recently so it may be peaking that affordability ceiling, and maybe a little bit more debt for existing residents there," said Hepp.
So Hepp's point is Kalamazoo and these other 12 markets are at a higher risk of housing price decline than anywhere else in the country. But that isn't much comfort for home buyers looking for a house today.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/navy-to-name-ship-after-ruth-bader-ginsburg
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The Navy is naming a ship after the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“As we close out Women’s History Month, it is my absolute honor to name the next T-AO after the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is a historic figure who vigorously advocated for women’s rights and gender equality,” said Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro.
Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993. She served on the court until she died in 2020.
T-AO ships are fleet oilers designed to transfer fuel to the Navy’s strike groups, the military said. The lead ship, T-AO 205, is named Rep. John Lewis.
The Navy says it aims to honor people who fought for civil and human rights.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/new-app-feature-aims-to-streamline-roadkill-reporting-permit-processes
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It’s never a pleasant sight. According to a U.S. Department of Transportation report, an estimated one to two million collisions between cars and large animals happen every year in the U.S.
“The wildlife-vehicle collision is the act and what comes out of that is the roadkill,” Sara DiRienzo, the public information officer at the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, said.
She said that roadkill could be put to good use sometimes.
“29 other states have roadkill collection laws. Wyoming is one of them,” DiRienzo explained.
Collecting roadkill in Wyoming became legal in January – however, there are regulations on what animals you can pick up and what roads you can pick them up from.
All you need is an authorization from the game and fish department.
“In the case of some carcasses, they can be put to beneficial use. If the carcass is not destroyed in the crash, it may be in good enough condition that someone could use it and eat it,” DiRienzo said.
To collect it, you have to get permission from the department. That’s where technology comes in.
“We wanted to find a way that was easy, in everyone’s back pocket, that they could request permission and get it right away,” she said.
In collaboration with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, reporting and picking up roadkill is now easier.
“We are getting reports quicker of those animal-vehicle collisions on the roadway,” Suzie Roseberry, a GIS/ITS Developer with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, said.
Roseberry helped design the Wyoming 511 app, where the reports and permission requests can be entered.
“We need to know migration patterns of these animals so we can mitigate any issues, and we’re hoping that with the public's help, we’ll be able to collect more of this data,” she said.
“One of the major impediments to wildlife movement throughout the United States is roadways,” Kevin Crooks, the director of the Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence at Colorado State University, said. “Animal-vehicle collisions threaten animals, vehicles, and people.”
That's why, he said, a lot of research is going into wildlife crossings in many areas across the U.S.
“There's a number of solutions out there,” DiRienzo said.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Department of Transportation will continue collecting data to learn more about wildlife movement and collisions while providing a simple way for drivers to pick up the roadkill and put it to use, if possible.
DiRienzo said they would be monitoring the data for those who try to abuse the system.
“There were some concerns that this rule could enable people to illegally take wildlife and say, you know, I hit this animal on the road when they may have poached it,” she said. “If it looks like someone is abusing the system, we can follow up with them and check into it.”
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/space-bread-looks-to-bring-taste-of-home-to-astronauts
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — If television could transmit smells, the lab Hope Hersh works in would make you think you’re in a bakery.
“As a lab, we are obsessed with starch,” she said.
The food lab sits within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida. Hersh, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate, is making full use of it.
“During the pandemic, there was this whole ‘make bread at home’ fad that was going on,” she said.
That got her thinking about combining her love of bread and her love of something else: space.
“I've always been interested in NASA and everything space-related,” Hersh said.
So, when NASA announced a competition – called the Deep Space Food Challenge – she got to work.
“They're looking for innovative new food technologies to be taken into deep space for long missions to the moon or Mars,” Hersh said.
Her idea: ‘wouldn’t it be nice to be able to have freshly baked bread in space?’ It’s not as easy as it sounds. Space is limited in… well, space. So, they needed something that could easily be grown and used to make bread.
Enter algae.
“Then I started putting algae in the bread just and testing it myself as a test to see, you know, ‘Is this palatable? Could people actually eat this in space?’ and that's how I came up with the algae bread,” Hersh said.
Nearly two years later, her special algae bread recipe baked in these special pouches is now one of the 18 food finalists NASA chose in the competition.
It all comes as NASA prepares for a “dress rehearsal” to test the largest rocket ever built. The Space Launch System – or SLS, for short – is designed to carry astronauts back to the moon and even to other planets, like Mars.
“To know that an idea that I came up with could be in space one day -- so gratifying,” Hersh said.
It is an idea that could also be used right here on Earth, a requirement that NASA set out in the competition.
“We mentioned using this as a replacement for like military meals that they have on long missions,” Hersh said, “but also in disaster relief situations because this is pre-made, it's sterilized. It can be stored for however long in any condition.”
Those include conditions that might one day be encountered by humans, who eventually venture to far-off worlds.
“For me, I just close my eyes and takes me back to when I was a kid and when I used to make bread at home,” Hersh said. “So, I hope that it gives them a little piece of earth to take with them on these long missions.”
It’s a taste of home that might one day be out of this world.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/us-reopening-border-to-asylum-seekers
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The Centers for Disease Control is ending its Title 42 authority on May 23.
The order required the expulsion of unauthorized single adults and family units arriving in the U.S. to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
The order had been in place since March 2020.
"After considering current public health conditions and an increased availability of tools to fight COVID-19 (such as highly effective vaccines and therapeutics), the CDC Director has determined that an Order suspending the right to introduce migrants into the United States is no longer necessary," the CDC said in a statement.
The CDC says it will continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security to implement additional COVID-19 mitigation procedures.
"Title 42 remains in place until May 23 and, until then, DHS will continue to expel single adults and families encountered at the Southwest border," DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement Friday.
According to The Associated Press, migrants have been expelled more than 1.7 million times since the health order was invoked.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/woman-shares-story-to-help-prevent-illegal-straw-gun-purchases
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Every year, thousands of guns sold at gun stores end up in communities illegally.
"You don’t really think where do these guns come from. You don’t think that" Rashandra Burnett said
It's a harsh reality that Burnett has lived with for 20 years.
In 2002, she was a college student in Ohio. A classmate asked her to go to a nearby gun store and make a purchase for him.
“Of course, my regular questions were, 'Why do you need to?' His response was more like because he already had one, he couldn’t necessarily get it," Burnett said
What Burnett's classmate didn’t tell her, and she later learned from Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) agents was that he, and a gun store owner, were sending illegal weapons to a street gang in New Jersey and he needed her to be a straw buyer.
A straw buyer is a person who buys guns on behalf of someone who can’t— for reasons like having a felony on their record.
“In the moment, it was like, I’m legal, I’m a citizen— not thinking like, they’re probably bad people trying to do bad things,” Burnett said.
Court records show that in two trips to the gun store, Burnett signed paperwork for a total of 40 firearms that her classmate paid cash for on the spot.
She later told federal agents she didn’t know she bought so many because her classmate handled them when they were picked up.
She says she felt uneasy about signing the form that said she was buying the guns for herself.
"Checked it, signed my life away, and handed him the note. And I went and sat in the car," Burnett said.
Burnett may have been a pawn, but to law enforcement, she is not a victim.
She pleaded guilty to two felonies for lying on the gun purchase form.
“It’s frequent, the person doesn’t think what they’re doing is wrong but they’re actually committing a felony," says David Booth, Special Agent in Charge of the Denver Field Division of the ATF.
“It’s probably two or three times that," Booth added.
Federally, buying a gun for someone who can’t, carries a maximum 10-year sentence.
“I would think if people were to get five-to-eight years for this versus probation, I think that would actually help," Booth said.
Activist Chet Whye feels gun laws can punish the wrong people.
"They can’t buy because they’re felons or they have a record and then that forces them to go get people who aren’t in that situation and don’t have a record then you go and lock up the people who are vulnerable," Whye said.
ATF says they don’t keep official stats on the gender of straw purchasers, but the agency notes that, in many cases, women are recruited.
“These women exchange, for love, or a little bit of money will do this favor not knowing what the repercussions are to themselves and their community," Whye said.
Whye, who works with Operation Lipstick, a group that has worked with district attorney offices in cities like Boston and Philadelphia to educate women about straw purchasing so they aren't used in criminal efforts to get more illegal guns onto the streets.
“Just as women, unwittingly or not, are neighbors of the gun pipeline, they can be disruptors. And that's what we should be focused on, empowering women to disrupt this thing," Whye said.
There are other efforts to educate the public about the dangers of straw purchasing, like the National Shooting Sports Foundation's "Don't Lie for The Other Guy" Campaign.
Burnett received probation after pleading guilty to the charges she faced. She’s working toward her master's degree but must live with a felony on her record.
“Hindsight, looking back, you think about all these things like, I don't know how many lives, I have taken, essentially," Burnett said.
She hopes her story will stop others from taking a place along the pipeline of illegal guns in America.
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https://www.kxlf.com/sports/2022-world-cup-u-s-draws-group-b-will-face-england-iran-winner-of-play-in-game
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Groups are officially set for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The United States drew Group B and will face England, Iran, and either Wales, Scotland, or Ukraine, depending on the results of a play-in.
Ukraine's road to Qatar has been a long one.
The team was set to play Scotland on March 24, but that was delayed due to Russian invading the country.
Their match has been pushed back by FIFA to June 7.
They then would have to win against Wales to make it into the tournament.
The U.S. team has a manageable group, probably not the easiest or the hardest. They will undoubtedly be out for redemption after failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2018.
In its last two World Cup appearances, Team USA has advanced to the Round of 16 before being eliminated.
The United States advanced to the quarter-finals back in 2002 and the semi-finals way back in 1930.
There is a bit of history in this group, as back in 2010, Team USA tied with England 1-1.
In 1950, they defeated England 1-0.
In 1998, the United States lost 2-1 to Iran.
They have never faced Wales, Scotland, or Ukraine in World Cup play.
Here is a full list of the groups:
GROUP A
Qatar
Ecuador
Senegal
Netherlands
GROUP B
England
Iran
United States
Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
GROUP C
Argentina
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Poland
GROUP D
France
Peru/United Arab Emirates/Australia
Denmark
Tunisia
GROUP E
Spain
Costa Rica/New Zealand
Germany
Japan
GROUP F
Belgium
Canada
Morocco
Croatia
GROUP G
Brazil
Serbia
Switzerland
Cameroon
GROUP H
Portugal
Ghana
Uruguay
South Korea
Some teams will still have to win a play-in to make it into the World Cup.
The World Cup runs from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18.
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20220401
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https://www.kxlf.com/weather/cold-front-on-saturday-and-on-monday
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BOZEMAN – An active pattern will continue this weekend into early next week as 2 cold fronts will push through the region.
The first cold front will be passing through quickly Saturday afternoon into early Saturday evening. This front will produce scattered valley rain and higher mountain snow showers Saturday afternoon. Snow accumulations are likely above 6,000’ but no travel hazards are anticipated for SW Montana.
Stronger surface wind gusts will also develop ahead and along the frontal passage Saturday. In high wind prone areas peak gusts over 40 mph are possible. Otherwise, sustained surface wind will be in the 10 to 30 mph range Saturday afternoon. Sunday look for localized gusty winds more so in wind prone areas.
The second cold front will arrive Monday afternoon and produce another round of valley rain and higher mountain snow along with very windy conditions through Tuesday. Temperatures will be much cooler on Tuesday, but this cool snap should be short-lived as a significant temperature rise is in the forecast for late next week.
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20220401
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https://www.kxlf.com/butte-centrals-rileigh-mcgree-ella-moodry-look-to-defend-state-titles
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BUTTE — When Charlie Merrifield Track hosts the State AA and A meets at the end of May, a pair of athletes from Butte Central is hoping to be in position to defend their titles on their home field.
Senior Rileigh McGree is the defending State A champion in both hurdle events and the long jump. In that event, she extended her family's streak started by her sister Rachael from 2016-17 and continued by her other sister Lindsay from 2018-19.
"My sisters were such an inspiration," McGree said. "They taught me to work hard. Even if you have the talent you have to work hard to do good things."
McGree had a productive offseason, and looks poised for a strong final season before she head to Montana this fall where she'll join the Grizzlies track and field squad.
"I worked on my strength, speedwork," she said. "I'm feeling good and I'm just working hard and ready to get the season started."
Sophomore Ella Moodry is the reigning State A champ in the javelin, an event she won as a freshman with a winning throw of 125 feet and 10 inches.
"I'm not trying to stress about it too much and trying not to overthink it," Moodry said. "Just have fun like I was last year and just throw it."
Rileigh's father and Central coach Dan McGree is heading into his 31st year of guiding the Maroons. Watching his daughter and Moodry bring home state hardware was one more highlight in a long career.
"Just to see those two work together all year and then have such great luck at state, as a parent it was just the best weekend ever," Dan said. "It just meant a lot to everybody."
The Maroons have competed in one meet so far, the Gene Hughes Invite in Corvallis. McGree won the 100 hurdles and junior Kyle Holter won the long jump and high jump.
"We just really needed to use it to see where we were at and kind of get our bearings and it was perfect," Dan said. "Everybody had a great day, we had a bunch of PRs and it was just a great start."
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20220401
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-ag-network/montana-ranchers-face-drought-and-cost-challenges
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HILL COUNTY — Drought conditions and hay costs are taking a toll on some Montana ranchers - Brianna Juneau reports.
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20220401
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/apple-to-pay-14-8m-to-icloud-subscribers-over-breached-contract
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Apple is set to pay nearly $15 million to a number of customers to settle a class-action lawsuit.
The tech giant is accused of storing iCloud data on third-party servers instead of its own.
That's a breach of Apple's own terms and conditions that users agree to.
The company denies wrongdoing but chose to settle the lawsuit anyway.
It affects customers who paid for extra iCloud storage from September 2015 to January 2016.
Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/famed-fashion-photographer-patrick-demarchelier-dies-at-78
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Famed fashion photographer, Patrick Demarchelier, passed away on Thursday. He was 78, according to a post on his official Instagram account, CNN and The New York Times reported.
The cause of death was not immediately known.
Vogue reported that he began shooting with the magazine in 1975, with his first cover shot occurring in 1977.
His most famous front cover shot happened in 1989 when he photographed Madonna.
His other famous photograph was a picture of Diana, Princess of Wales, for the December 1990 edition of British Vogue. He was also her personal portraitist.
He also shot Janet Jackson topless for the cover of Rolling Stone, the Times reported.
According to the magazine, he also appeared in the first "Sex & the City" movie as the photographer shooting the fictional character Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding-dress photoshoot.
Condolences began pouring in on social media after news of his death was reported.
"I couldn’t decipher a word at first, let alone a sentence,” model Christy Turlington wrote on Instagram.
He is survived by his wife Mia, his three sons, and three grandchildren.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/gov-desantis-signals-hed-support-taking-disneys-special-self-governing-status-away
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Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis has signaled that he could consider supporting efforts to strip Disney of a 55-year-old status that allows the theme park and entertainment company to operate in an independent way with self-governance around the company's Orlando-area park.
The move is the latest in a quarrel between the governor and the entertainment giant, which is Florida's largest employer. The clash comes just after Gov. DeSantis ratified a measure that bans schools in the state from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity in some classrooms.
As CNN reported, after the Walt Disney Company said in a statement that its "goal" was to get behind efforts to repeal the law through the court system, DeSantis said the company "crossed the line" with the statement.
According to the Associated Press, gay rights advocates are suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to block the new law which bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
A federal challenge was filed on Thursday on behalf of Equality Florida and Family Equality who say the law is an effort to control young minds using state censorship.
Florida's Gov. DeSantis is considered to be a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, and the law is considered to have pushed Florida into the spotlight amid what many are calling culture wars in the United States. Critics of the legislation call it the "Don't Say Gay" law.
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20220401
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https://www.kxlf.com/sports/former-u-s-goalkeeper-hope-solo-arrested-on-dwi-misdemeanor-child-abuse-charges
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Former U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo was arrested Thursday in North Carolina for allegedly driving while impaired, child abuse, and resisting arrest.
According to TMZ and NBC News affiliate WXII, she allegedly had her two-year-old twins in the car with her at the time of her arrest in Winston-Salem.
The news outlet reported that Solo, who shares the children with her husband, former NFL player Jerramy Stevens, was arrested in a Walmart parking lot on Parkway Village Circle.
She was taken into custody and processed at Forsyth County detention center and subsequently released, Fox News affiliate WGHP reported.
Solo's lawyer Rich Nichols later released a statement via Hope's Twitter account.
"On the advice of counsel, Hope can't speak about this situation, but she wants everyone to know that her kids are her life, that she was released immediately and is now at home with her family, that the story is more sympathetic than the initial charges suggest, and that she looks forward to her opportunity to defend these charges," the statement read.
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) April 1, 2022
The two-time Olympic gold medalist was previously arrested and charged in 2014 with two misdemeanor counts of assault in the fourth degree for allegedly assaulting two family members at a home in Washington State, the Associated Press reported.
Those charges were later dropped.
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https://www.kxlf.com/storage-beds-make-most-small-spaces/
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The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
If your home is low on square footage, you know that multipurpose furniture pieces that offer storage space can make a huge difference. It’s especially helpful to have more storage space in the bedroom, which is why storage beds are such a brilliant invention. Whether your closet isn’t big enough or you’ve gone overboard on shoe shopping, storage beds offer the perfect solution for organizing (and hiding) all your stuff.
Think of a multipurpose bed as sleeping on top of an extra closet. The mess is out of sight, and you’ll increase your storage without losing any space. It’s like magic! Some beds are so well designed with hidden features that nobody will even notice that they’re concealing secret storage superpowers.
Here are a few of the best beds on the market with hidden storage capabilities.
DHP Cambridge Upholstered Linen Platform Bed
This unique platform bed contains a large storage compartment underneath the mattress — and you’d never guess it. Available in both gray linen and black, its sophisticated headboard and footboard come in a chic tufted design. The built-in slat system provides mattress support without needing any extra foundation. And thanks to its gas-lift mechanism, there’s no heavy lifting required when you need to access the storage compartment.
This bed stands out because it’s so well-liked on Amazon, earning a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 across more than 1,100 reviews.
Pro tip: Leave a little extra time to put this bed together, as some have claimed that assembly takes longer than planned. Find a queen-sized version on Amazon for $731.
Novogratz Kelly Bed With Storage
If drawers are more your storage style, try this bed that supplies two to four large drawers, depending on size. The twin-sized beds have two drawers, while full-sized, queens and kings have four drawers each.
Drawers roll on the floor and lock into special slots. Modern design lovers will appreciate the bed’s clean lines and linen upholstery. Many of the Amazon reviews remark on how easy it is to assemble, too. Snag a queen-sized bed on Amazon for $391.
Sha Cerlin Industrial Bed Frame With Storage Drawers
The elegant wooden panels on this bed frame conceal metal basket-type drawers for storing extra linens, shoes, seasonal clothing or any number of other things you’d like to keep hidden away. With metal slat support, there’s no need for a box spring — just place your mattress right on top and enjoy the handsome look of this bed. This bed frame is affordably priced, too, with the queen-sized option going for just $243 on Amazon.
LZ Leisure Zone Captain’s Twin Daybed
Ideal for a child’s bedroom, this twin daybed offers a roll-out trundle bed underneath it, along with an additional row of drawers to conserve space. (Neither bed requires a box spring.) It’s perfect for small spaces as the trundle bed and three drawers tuck away underneath until it’s sleepover time. The sturdy wood frame comes in a cute cottage style that easily matches a variety of decor schemes. Find it on Amazon for $329.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories.
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https://www.kxlf.com/former-felons-ball-begins-on-saturday
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HELENA — The Former Felon's Ball begins on Saturday with three separate events in Helena. Miller's Crossing, The Western, and The Rialto will offer patrons drag performances to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and fundraise for Big Sky Pride.
The event got its name after the statute that outlawed same-sex relationships in Montana was struck down, according to event organizers.
The coronavirus pandemic canceled last year's Ball due to high COVID-19 positive cases. Performers are eager to celebrate their authentic selves.
"Pride is not just in June and July wherever it is celebrated in your areas. This is why we must carry pride at all times," said Levi Vogan, a drag performer.
During the Former Felon's Ball, the Imperial Sovereign Court of the State of Montana will have drag performances.
Vogan, otherwise known as Christina Drake, says the event is a creative outlet.
"Drag is really whatever you want it to be its self-expression, its freedom, its art, its captivating, its fun. I have been doing it for about ten years now," said Vogan.
Vogan says having events that embrace the LGBTQIA community, such as the Former Felon's Ball and drag performances, can impact people's lives positively.
"You don't know who you are helping, you don't know who you are touching, and even if you don't have people come up to you telling you those stories, there is definitely someone there being affected in a positive way just by you being there," said Vogan.
The Former Felons Ball begins at 7:30 p.m. on April 2 and is open to ages 18 and up.
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20220402
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https://www.kxlf.com/gov-gianforte-requests-feds-to-begin-process-to-transfer-state-trust-lands
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HELENA - Gov. Greg Gianforte is requesting the federal government start the process which will eventually lead to the transfer of more than 36,000 acres of State Trust Lands as part of the massive Flathead Water Compact settlement.
The Montana Water Resources Protection Act was passed by Congress last year, ending decades of water rights negotiations with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
One provision requires the State of Montana to exchange state trust lands with the federal government. Most of the tracts are scattered across the Flathead Reservation in a "checkerboard" pattern and often have limited to no access.
The state says specific tracts haven't been identified, but the state is interested in parcels that have better public access and could generate better revenue for Montana public schools.
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20220402
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/know-before-you-go-what-to-check-before-shed-hunting
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HELENA — Spring has certainly sprung, and that’s got a lot of us back outside and looking down. Shed hunting for antlers dropped over the winter is an annual tradition for a lot of us here in Montana.
But before you run out to the mountains, just like anytime you head into the great outdoors, there are a few things you are going to want to check first.
“Depending on where you are there are different rules, " FWP communication & education program manager for Region 3 Morgan Jacobsen told MTN. "Wildlife Management Areas, for example, many of those don’t open until May 15. Some of them have different opening dates, so the best way to check on that is by visiting Montana, Fish and Parks’ website at FWP.MT.gov."
Block Management Areas are also on this time-sensitive list. Being private land, they are only open during hunting season and after signing in at the entrance. Make sure you get permission before heading onto any private land looking for headgear.
State Parks are also off-limits when it comes to picking up sheds at any time of the year. And remember you are not the only thing out there that’s excited it's spring.
“Make sure you are prepared for a bear encounter," said Jacobsen. "Carry bear spray, have it accessible and know how to use it. Travel in groups as much as possible. One, because being in a group is safer, but two, it helps you make casual noise when you’re in the field alerting animals to your presence and reducing the risk of a surprise close encounter.”
Also, make sure you tell someone where you are going, and check the weather before taking off so you don’t get caught in a surprise spring snowstorm. With the right preparation, shed hunting can be a great way to get out in the woods with family and friends and get some cool pieces of the wild while you’re at it.
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20220402
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/billings-medical-marijuana-business-files-lawsuit-against-city
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BILLINGS - An ordinance regulating the sale of medical marijuana in Billings unlawfully restricts the age of those who work at the business, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in Yellowstone County District Court.
Montana Advanced Caregivers (MAC) and three of its employees filed the lawsuit seeking to overturn a section of the city ordinance passed last November that makes it unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to work at a medical marijuana dispensary within the city limits. The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the ordinance and an order declaring the city ordinance invalid and unenforceable.
The lawsuit argues the city ordinance is more restrictive than the state laws established to regulate medical marijuana sales which allow a person not "under 18 years of age" to work for a licensed marijuana provider.
The city ordinance "makes it unlawful for the Employee Plaintiffs to work in MAC, or any other marijuana business within the jurisdiction f the City of Billings," the lawsuit states. "As a result, the Employee Plaintiffs will be forced to lose their jobs, even though each of the Employee Plaintiffs meets all the requirements to be an employee in a medical marijuana business under the laws of the State of Montana."
The three employees named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Jet Tepnergalland, Kyler Koppes, and Kynzee Cooper, who all work at Montana Advanced Caregivers and are all over 18 but not 21 years of age.
RELATED: City of Billings ready to issue medical marijuana business licenses
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20220402
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/butte-zoning-board-accused-of-abuse-of-discretion-by-developers-of-basin-creek-solar-panel-project
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BUTTE - Developers of the Basin Creek solar panel project appealed the Butte zoning board’s decision to deny their special use permit to build a solar panel farm.
Judge Luke Berger listened to oral arguments made by lawyers representing the Butte-Silver Bow Zoning Board of Adjustment and Gozden-McDermott Cattle Company, LLC and FX solution, INC, who are petitioning the board’s decision to deny their permit request.
The petitioners are asking the court to reverse the board of adjustments decision and grant the special use permit because the Zoning board made the decision on, what the developers say, 2 out of 18 criteria that should have been considered.
"We’re asking you to do that because it’s our position the board abused its discretion and really only focused on two factors that they were duty-bound to focus on or consider and I’ve termed those public opposition," said Peter Lacny, the lawyer for the petitioners.
Abuse of discretion means that the Zoning board acted in a manner that was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unethical when making their decision.
Joseph Casillas, representing the petitioners, says the zoning board ballots provided poorly written reasons that referenced public opposition and personal feelings rather than objective facts.
"What the board did here was create literally an impossible standard for a special use applicant for any kind of project like this could ever be approved because you’re always going to have public opposition," said Casillas.
Sean Peterson, representing the zoning board, argued that the board considered all criteria when it came to the sheer size of the project.
"That’s not a factor. It affects every one of the factors, but once again relevant under the other stature. So, you’re honor we do believe that the zoning board of adjustment did act within their discretion." said Peterson.
Judge Berger has taken the matter under advisement and will give a written ruling soon.
RELATED:
Zoning board listens as citizens comment on Basin Creek solar project
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/montana-tech-anthropology-students-investigate-fake-crime-scene
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BUTTE - A bizarre cult killing, bones found in a shallow grave … calm down, this is just a forensic archeologist class at Montana Tech in Butte where students are investigating a fake crime scene to gain real knowledge.
“First I thought it was a collar bone, but I really don’t think so, it looks like an arm bone of some sort,” one student said while finding a bone in the dig site.
The plastic bones were buried in a field near the campus about two years ago by former students and they created a crime scenario for this forensics class to try to solve. Biological anthropology Professor Michael P. Masters says this fieldwork is very valuable.
“I teach them these things in the classroom, we come out here and they forget everything. So by walking them through this process and teaching them in the field, it gives them experience and the ability to learn by making mistakes, which I think is important for the learning process,” said Masters.
Students played different roles as crime scene investigators as they carefully removed dirt looking for evidence.
“Maybe it’s some sort of cloth or a piece of bone, really, we’re just looking for something that’s out of place,” said Montana Tech student Johannes Chandler.
Sure, these students had the skills of CSI investigators, but could they act like they do on TV?
"You’re a cop on the edge, give me your cop on the edge. What kind of animal would do this?"
“I can’t …” said student Dawson Roesti.
"Take two. What kind of animal would do this?"
“I have no idea!” Roesti shouted.
"Yes! Cop on the edge. I love it!"
And while these students are having a lot of fun, they are learning serious skills that can be applied in real-world criminal investigations.
“It’s an applied science and they can take what they’re learning here and if their skills are ever needed in an unfortunate situation of a crime or a murder being committed, they can apply that in the real world,” said Masters.
The students will have a week to review the evidence and solve the crime.
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20220402
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/appeal-filed-for-ex-clerk-kim-davis-who-refused-marriage-licenses-to-two-same-sex-couples
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Attorneys for former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis have appealed a ruling by a federal judge that she violated the constitutional rights of two same-sex couples when she denied marriage licenses to them.
Last month, U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning of the Eastern District of Kentucky granted summary judgment in a civil lawsuit that the two couples, David Ermold and David Moore, and James Yates and Will Smith, filed against Davis. At the time, the judge's ruling settled whether the couples' constitutional rights were violated without going to trial. It's unclear, though, if Davis will be held liable for the thousands of dollars in legal fees accrued since 2015.
Bunning denied Davis's request for summary judgment on the question of damages. The plaintiffs are requesting compensatory and punitive damages, pre and post-judgment interest, costs, and attorneys' fees.
Shortly after the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling granted same-sex couples the right to marry nationwide, Davis stopped issuing all marriage licenses due to her religious beliefs. That led to lawsuits against her, and a judge ordered Davis to issue the licenses. She spent five days in jail for being found in contempt of court after refusing to do so.
Davis had argued that a legal doctrine called qualified immunity shielded her from being held liable, the plaintiffs argued that Davis had violated their constitutional rights and their right to marry was clearly established at the time of Davis's violation, and therefore, Davis was not entitled to qualified immunity.
The court said her decision not to issue marriage licenses "further illustrates that she knowingly violated the law." The ruling also states "Davis chose to stand for what [she] believe[s] in over what was contrary to that'—the law."
The judge's ruling means "claims against her in her individual capacity" can move forward. The U.S. Supreme Court chose not to take up her appeal in the case.
In a statement, the Liberty Counsel said the case "now clearly presents the free exercise defense" and could be a Supreme Court issue.
"Kim Davis is entitled to protection to an accommodation based on her sincere religious belief," Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said. "This case raises serious First Amendment free exercise of religion claims and has a high potential of reaching the Supreme Court."
A status conference was scheduled to be held by telephone on April 1.
Davis, a Republican, ultimately lost her bid for reelection in 2018. Democrat Elwood Caudill Jr. is now the county's clerk.
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20220402
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/disney-characters-can-hug-again-in-april
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Disney fans will be happy about this news.
Disney Parks announced Thursday that guests would soon be able to hug their favorite characters again "as early as April 18" as they begin relaxing COVID restrictions.
"While not all locations will be available immediately, we anticipate reopening in phases throughout the spring, and early summer," Disney Live Entertainment Senior Communications Manager Shawn Slater wrote in the blog post.
Throughout the pandemic, social distancing has been required for nearly all character interactions.
Disney World in Florida reopened in July 2020, and Disneyland in California reopened in April 2021.
The parks have slowly been returning to normal operations, with Disney World's Festival of Fantasy parade starting back two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, in California, Disneyland's famous parade is expected to start up the marching band again beginning the weekend of April 22.
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20220402
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/will-smith-announced-that-he-has-resigned-from-the-academy-amid-investigation-of-slap-incident
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Actor Will Smith has announced that he will resign from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences amid an investigation after he walked onto the Oscars stage during last Sunday's broadcast and slapped comedian Chris Rock in the face for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair.
Smith said in a statement, “The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.”
The actor went on to say in the statement, “I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken,” Variety reported.
The slap happened after Rock made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, saying her shaved head looked like the buzzcut sported by Demi Moore in “G.I. Jane.” Pinkett Smith has been public about her struggle with hair loss due to alopecia.
Read Smith's full statement obtained by CNN here:
“I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy.
I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate. Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”
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https://www.kxlf.com/sentinel-high-school-principal-placed-on-leave
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MISSOULA - The principal of Missoula's Sentinel High School has been placed on leave.
On Friday, Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) learned of criminal charges filed against Sentinel High School principal Ryan Rettig.
MCPS spokesperson Tyler Christensen told MTN News that the nature of the charges relates to an alleged domestic disturbance, and Rettig has been placed on administrative leave.
“As with all criminal charges, MCPS takes this seriously and will be completing an investigation,” said Christensen.
Court documents obtained from Missoula Municipal Court show the alleged incident happened on Jan. 7 just after 6 p.m. in a parking lot at Sentinel High School.
In the affidavit of probable cause, Rettig's wife Kelly reported they were arguing in their parked car.
She told police Rettig grabbed her finger causing pain and injury, later resulting in surgery to repair the injury.
Rettig was issued a citation for Partner Family Member Assault for causing pain and injury to his wife.
Rettig will remain on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
In the meantime, assistant principals Brian Fortmann and Billie Jo Juneau will step in to fill Rettig’s absence.
MCPS Superintendent Rob Watson stated in an email sent out Friday afternoon that "I have made the decision to place Mr. Rettig on administrative leave, pending investigation."
Read the full email below:
April 1, 2022
Dear Sentinel Families,
I am writing to inform you of a situation that involves Principal Ryan Rettig. Today I was made aware that Mr. Rettig has been criminally charged related to an alleged domestic disturbance. The District takes issues of this nature seriously and will need to conduct an investigation. I have made the decision to place Mr. Rettig on administrative leave, pending investigation. There is no determined length of time for the leave. We will be communicating with assistant principals Mr. Fortman and Mrs. Juneau in the next few days to make sure they have the support they need to manage the administrative needs at Sentinel.
Rob Watson
Superintendent
Missoula County Public Schools
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20220402
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https://www.kxlf.com/turkeys-try-to-visit-a-great-falls-furniture-store-video
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GREAT FALLS — Several wild turkeys tried to visit Payless Furniture on Central Avenue West in Great Falls on Thursday, March 31, 2022.
The group of turkey wandered around the parking lot and approached the door of the store.
Holly Hovland Pierce shot some video of the turkeys, and said that they eventually began walking southwest along the nearby railroad tracks.
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20220402
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/georgias-senate-passes-bill-aiming-to-limit-race-discussions-in-schools
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Lawmakers in the state of Georgia sent a bill that will increase parental oversight of schools over to the desk of Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature on Friday.
House Bill 1084 bans the teaching of "divisive concepts" on race in Georgia public schools, as WABE reported. At the center of the bill are Republican concerns over the teaching of critical race theory (CRT), even though, as WXIA reports, CRT isn't mentioned in the legislation's language.
Georgia Republican Senate President Pro Tem Butch Miller said, “CRT is wrong, it’s destructive and it views American history through a racial lens.” Miller said, “It’s a filter that focuses on victimhood, not triumph, and we have triumphed in this country. It is driven by identity politics; it promotes racial identity over American identity and is a recipe for chaos and division. We don’t defeat racism with racism.”
The legislation says that it would “prohibit schools and local school systems from advocating divisive concepts and ensure that curricula and training programs encourage students and employees to practice tolerance and respect and not judge others based on race,” according to a tweet from the state's Senate.
HB 1084 would prohibit schools and local school systems from advocating divisive concepts and ensure that curricula and training programs encourage students and employees to practice tolerance and respect and not judge others based on race #gapol #gasenate
— Senate Press Office (@GASenatePress) April 1, 2022
As CNN reported, a similar bill, Senate Bill 377, passed the state Senate last month and was sent to Georgia's state House for consideration in Georgia's Republican-controlled legislature.
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20220402
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/man-stunned-to-receive-ticket-after-paying-at-a-private-parking-lot
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A Michigan man said that when he went to a comedy show on Saturday, he returned to his car to find it had received a parking ticket while parked on a private lot.
He wasn't laughing. He said he had parked there legitimately.
"I pulled in the lot. Flagged in, actually flagged into the lot by a couple of guys. They said $20 parking. I gave the guy $20," Matt Wilkinson recalled.
He said, "Then I went to the show, I came back and I had a $50 ticket on my window."
The ticket wasn't from the City of Detroit. It was issued by Olympia Development which owns the lot. Wilkinson said he approached the woman he saw writing tickets.
He explained, "She said...'This lots closed sir.' I said... 'This lot is not closed. The entrances are wide open. A hundred other cars are sitting here with me. How is it closed?'"
The man said he was told to call the number on the back of the ticket to dispute it. Wilkinson said he's concerned that there's no signage indicating the lot's closed, and he said whoever collected his money when he parked must have been a scam artist.
After calling and emailing Olympia Development about the citation, Wilkinson said he received a phone call, an apology, and a free parking pass from the company.
Wilkinson said, "They say they voided all those tickets, but what happened last week, the week before they did that to people that didn't know?"
On Wednesday, construction workers showed up and started measuring the lot's perimeter. One said they're preparing to build a fence.
Can a private company issue parking tickets?
Olympia Development said in a statement:
"Occasionally, we issue citations for vehicles parked in spaces marked reserved for residents or tenants or restricted for other reasons. In this situation, our parking team mistakenly issued a citation," said Ed Saenz, Olympia Development of Michigan's Director of Communications.
Saenz said tickets issued that night were voided. A spokesperson for the City of Detroit said this is a private matter that has nothing to do with the city government or its municipal parking department.
Similar to a property owner being able to tow an illegally parked vehicle, a private parking lot can issue a citation. However, enforcement is another issue and may come in the form of small claims court.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/billings-mayor-hosts-dinner-honoring-diverse-languages
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Billings Mayor Bill Cole predicted that the Billings Depot would sound like the Tower of Babel Friday night. And he was right.
Around 25 different languages and cultures were represented at the first Mayor’s World Languages Dinner, which drew a sell-out crowd.
It was Cole’s idea to hold the event in what he calls the most multi-cultural city in Montana.
“I just have a lot of conversations with people and I started to notice that we have so many people in Billings who were from a different country or spoke a different language. I thought, let’s get them all together because I don’t think they know each other. And it has been absolutely a thrilling response,” Cole said.
Along with showcasing the ethnic and linguistic diversity of Montana’s largest city, the idea was also to connect folks with their neighbors.
“I think there is a lot of things that we can learn from each other, and there’s a lot of connections that will make our community better just bringing awareness by having this event is key to the growth of this city,” says Ignacio Barron Viela, who grew up in Spain, and is the executive director for the Billings Symphony.
“To come to such an event and see the diversity of all individuals here in Billings and see all the languages and cultures represented, I think it is just incredible,” said Sep Eskandan, who recently took over as the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at MSU Billings. His family moved to the United States from Iran in 1984.
The event also celebrated the Native people and languages that were here long before anyone else settled in the area.
“It helps us to kind of rediscover our roots and to share, but I think the most important thing is to build that relationship with our brothers and sisters from around the world,” said Bill Snell, who represented the Crow and Assinboine languages.
While this was the first Mayor’s World Languages Dinner, it likely won’t be the last. Cole says planning has already begun for a similar event next year—perhaps at a larger venue.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/billings-teacher-named-montana-counselor-of-the-year
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A Billings school counselor is the Counselor of the Year in the state of Montana.
Students, teachers, principal and the staff at Ponderosa Elementary School are all excited for Chad Jackson.
Jackson has been at Ponderosa for 11 years and the Montana School Counselor Association awarded him the School Counselor of the Year on at its annual meeting in Billings Thursday.
"So it was actually really humbling," Jackson said. "Because you probably could have given that award out to a hundred school counselors across the state."
Several criteria go into choosing the award, including originality, achievement and dedication.
"Help them to develop skills and empower them so that they can handle all the the curves that life and society is thrown at him right now," Jackson said about working with students.
Jackson works with students in kindergarten through fifth grade and prepares them for middle school and beyond.
"One of my jobs is to help them and reassure them," he said. "And balance how much information is healthy for them. And at the end of the day, what we're hoping is that they can feel safe so that they can learn while they're here at school."
And he says school counselors are needed today more than ever.
"Students, high schoolers, teenagers are faced with more than any generation has probably had to deal with and cope with," Jackson said. "Maybe ever."
He connects with kids every day, something important for parents, teachers and the principal.
"You can see him light up, they run, give him a hug," said Clay Herron, Ponderosa principal. "He definitely has built that an awesome you know, counselor relationship with the students here."
"My advice would be to work so hard to connect with kids and to engage with them and to learn about what's going on in their life," Jackson said. "And to hear that and listen and to let them know that they matter."
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/president-biden-first-lady-to-speak-at-uss-delaware-submarine-ceremony
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President Joe Biden is set to deliver remarks at a commissioning commemoration ceremony of the USS Delaware on Saturday.
First lady Jill Biden is also slated to speak at the event.
WATCH LIVE:
This marks the president's first visit to his home state in several weeks, USA Today reported.
The 377-foot-long vessel marks the first time for a Navy vessel to bear the state’s name in nearly a century.
According to the US Navy archives, the nuclear-powered submarine is the seventh submarine named after the state, with the first being in 1776.
The event is set to begin at 11 a.m.
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https://www.kxlf.com/lewis-and-clark-library-reopens-community-spaces-resume-in-person-programs-in-helena
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HELENA — After two years, the Lewis and Clark Library has reopened its meeting rooms for public use at all branches on Friday.
"It's a long time for folks not to be able to use our rooms," said John Finn, director of the Lewis and Clark Library.
Finn says the library is reopening the rooms because COVID-19 cases continue to decrease across Lewis and Clark County, and it is an exciting moment for the community spaces.
"It feels great. A little apprehension because we haven't done it in so long. We've hired new staff since the last time we've used our meeting rooms, so there's lots of training involved in checking the rooms out, making sure that the rooms are set up properly, etc.," said Finn.
People can reserve the small and large community rooms online or in person, and Finn says the community frequently used the spaces before the library closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This room, in particular, was used on average 150 times a month, either by library staff or the public. And we're probably going to ramp right up to that kind of usage very quickly, so for us, that means that we have a space to provide children, programs, adult programs," said Finn.
Finn says the library is eager to get back to normalcy and are also beginning to bring back in-person programming,
"We have a knitting class that we've been doing online that is slowly going to become an in-person class. Only I know that there are patrons at the desk right now reserving this room and the small community room for meetings and presentations, so all kinds of programs,"
In addition to restarting in-person programs, the library is also extending its weekend hours. The new weekend hours will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For a complete list of library branches, hours, and services, visit lclibrary.org.
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https://www.kxlf.com/homepage-showcase/missoula-artists-stand-in-solidarity-with-ukraine-through-sunflowers
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MISSOULA — As the situation in Ukraine seems to have no end in sight, a Missoula business is doing what they can to help Ukrainians.
Located throughout the halls of the Harvest Wholeness Center holistic are numerous pieces of sunflower art from a dozen local artists.
Their work is on display to show they stand in solidarity with Ukraine. The idea started with co-owner of Harvest, Kaley Bukre, who says watching the war stirs her heart.
“Watching something like the war in Ukraine, knowing the suffering that is happening to people and and how that suffering will continue long-term damage,” Bukre told MTN News.
Sunflowers are Ukraine’s national flower. A representation of beauty and overcoming.
“The power and the beauty in that single sunflower then joined by fields of sunflowers just felt really powerful and something that I hoped that people in Ukraine could feel us from Montana,” said Amy Coseo, a local artist whose work is up for sale.
For Coseo, her art work reflects the heart ache she feels for those in Ukraine.
“Lots of solidarity and support through each of the petals,” Coseo told MTN News while she shows her work.
“Using arts to share a story using arts to emote from within, it's powerful,” Burke echoed.
The proceeds donated will go to Global Giving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund to aid Ukrainians in need of clean water, food, shelter, among other necessities.
The showing will be set up all month long, Monday-Friday, from 12-3 p.m. at Harvest Wholeness Center.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/msu-billings-hosts-52nd-annual-powwow-after-two-year-hiatus
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BILLINGS — After two years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 52nd Annual MSUB Powwow was back on this year and took over the gym at the Billings university on Saturday.
"They come from all over Montana and even Canada and Wyoming and Idaho. It's amazing seeing different tribes all come together and dance and celebrate," said George Reed, the head man dancer at the powwow.
The fitting theme of the powwow this year was resiliency. Montana's Native American reservations were hit particularly hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, COVID-19 was the leading cause of death for people living in the state's reservations.
"Huge event today and yesterday because everyone is coming together and celebrating resiliency. Native Americans coming together, they empower each other when they dance together. Our culture, our regalia, our dancing and our traditions make us stronger as Native Americans," Reed said.
Reed is a member of the Crow Tribe and this was his first time dancing at a powwow since he was a kid. While he was a bit nervous, he said he leaned on his two brothers for support.
"It was emotional because I got to dance. I had to get my stuff together. I had my two brothers, Kyle and Henry, they danced with me and it all just worked out. It all planned and worked out. I got to dance here and I'm just honored to dance here at the MSUB Powwow because I went to school here and it all feels right," Reed said.
His brother Henry agreed.
"A good feeling. Good vibes. Before, he used to dance Fancy Dance, but it's nice to see him out here in the Crow Traditional dancing with us," said Reed's brother, Henry Reed.
During the powwow, there are times when dancers compete in different categories like fancy dance or traditional women's dance, but more than that the powwow is about keeping Native American culture alive.
"I actually feel like a family, I would say. Like a family, because we're all dressed together celebrating Native American resiliency and our culture and that it's still alive and we're keeping it alive," Reed said.
RELATED: Montana State University 46th Annual Powwow is in-person for the first time since the pandemic
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20220403
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https://www.kxlf.com/sports/tiger-woods-to-practice-at-augusta-game-time-decision-on-playing-masters
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AUGUSTA, Ga. — We might see Tiger Woods at The Masters this year.
The five-time Masters Champion tweeted Sunday morning that he is headed to Augusta to continue his preparation and practice.
The 46-year-old has played only once since suffering a significant leg injury last February.
In November, he tweeted a video of him swinging a golf club, and then in December, he played the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie.
After the tournament, Woods had said he was not at the level to compete on the PGA Tour and that, “It’s going to take a lot of work to get to where I feel like I can compete with these guys and be at a high level.”
Last week, Woods was reportedly walking a course in Florida with his caddie, and then there were reports he went to Augusta to walk the course again.
The Masters begins Thursday, with practice rounds starting Tuesday.
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20220403
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-news/april-is-animal-cruelty-awareness-month
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GREAT FALLS — April is National Animal Cruelty Awareness Month, and several days ago at the City of Great Falls Commission Meeting, Mayor Bob Kelly signed a proclamation recognizing this awareness in the Great Falls community, serving as a reminder for all of us to speak up for those without a voice.
The proclamation was brought to the table by the Great Falls Animal Shelter.
Great Falls Animal Shelter volunteer coordinator Laramie Smovir said, "Obviously, animal abuse is a huge topic for the community, not just for the animals, but for the human aspect of it."
According to the Humane Society of the U.S., an estimated 71% of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted pets, and one study showed that child abuse is strongly connected
"What we see is that statistically, people who abuse animals don't stop with animals," Smovir noted. "They then go on to abuse people, children, and so it becomes a much larger law enforcement community wide issue."
The Great Falls Animal Shelter aims for this proclamation to not only raise awareness of animal cruelty, but to also educate community members on ways they can decrease animal cruelty.
The following are likely signs of animal abuse:
- Tucked tail, flinches at human contact.
- Unexplained fractures or limping.
- Unprovoked aggression, whining, or whimpering.
- Overly submissive (rolling onto back, tail tucked, urinating)
- Suddenly avoiding any physical contact.
- Attempts to bite or scratch when petted.
The federal Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT) was signed into law in 2019. The law is targeted primarily at people involved in "animal crushing" fetish videos and multi-state criminal rings involving animals. Under the law, a person can be changed with a federal felony if they’re found torturing animals. This includes crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, and impaling.
But the federal law doesn't apply in many situations, notably in cases of neglect, which are usually prosecuted via existing state laws. A person can be charged with a state misdemeanor when they’re found neglecting an animal by failing to provide basic needs like adequate food, water, and shelter. Click here to read more.
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20220403
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-news/first-quarter-of-adult-use-marijuana-sales-in-montana-ends-taxes-due-apr-15
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HELENA — April 1 was a milestone for Montana’s marijuana industry – the end of the first quarter of recreational sales in the state.
Montana is collecting marijuana taxes quarterly, on every three months of sales. That means dispensaries will now start preparing tax returns to turn into the Montana Department of Revenue. Payments will be due to the department on Apr. 15.
In January, DOR recorded $14,141,896 in adult-use marijuana sales and $10,143,749 in medical sales. Those numbers were $13,533,697 and $9,357,698 respectively in February – slightly lower overall, but higher average daily sales. The sales numbers for March had not yet been released by Friday afternoon.
You can find the latest sales numbers on the Department of Revenue website.
The first two months’ sales totaled $27,675,594 for recreational marijuana and $19,501,448 for medical. DOR estimates that could bring in a total of $6,315,176 in state revenues, based on the 20% tax on adult-use sales and 4% tax on medical sales.
In addition, Park and Yellowstone Counties have placed local 3% taxes on adult-use and medical marijuana, while Missoula County has adopted a 3% tax only on adult-use sales. Dawson County will implement 3% taxes on all marijuana sales starting this month.
So far, the adult-use sales numbers are relatively in line with earlier predictions. A 2020 report from the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research projected about $217 million in recreational marijuana sales over the first year of legalization. When analyzing the marijuana reform bill state lawmakers passed in 2021, the Governor’s Office of Budget and Program Planning adjusted those numbers – predicting only $130 million in sales in 2022 because of the limited number of providers allowed under the law.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-news/montana-boy-learning-to-walk-again-after-devastating-accident
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FORT BENTON — Walking is something not many people think of a lot - but it's been on the mind of Tanner Waldner for the last two years, after being involved in a crash that left him paralyzed. He spent weeks in hospitals in Great Falls and Seattle, having to hear news no one wants to hear.
“Well, I remember when I was driving home, and I went into the house. And I went on the bench to sit, knew there was something going on because my feet started giving up. They said after I woke up, my feet don’t have any feeling,” Tanner recalled.
Several doctors told the Waldner family he’d never walk again - but the family didn’t accept no for an answer and kept looking for solutions.
They met Gerry Cook, who helped develop equipment with NASA, and now, some of that equipment is being used in Fort Benton. Cook is originally from Fort Benton and helped get it to the hospital where they hope to help other people in similar situations.
Since learning about the "moonwalker" technology, 11-year old Tanner has shown nothing but dedication and hard work, getting his strength back at home and through physical therapy.
His doctors and family are all astonished at what he’s been able to do since he started therapy.
“We’ve been working on this for over 35 years. We’re in Sandpoint, Idaho, now, and they came to us, and Tanner’s come such a long way,” Cook said. “He took five steps the first time he got on it. It was incredible.”
Gage Grossman is Tanner’s physical therapist at Missouri River Medical Center in Fort Benton and is impressed with what Tanner has been able to accomplish.
“Tanner’s got a great attitude. He’s always got a smile, always happy,” Grossman said. “Really anything below his ribcage shouldn’t work yet he sits on his own. He can crawl, he’s learning to walk. He’s coming a long way when no one expected him to. I think it’s pretty incredible.”
Tanner has a long way to go but he’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other.
“I told my mom that I’m never going to sit down. I’m never going to sit down once I’m going to be walking again,” Tanner said.
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20220403
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-news/young-man-dies-in-a-crash-in-mccone-county
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GREAT FALLS — A young man died in a one-car crash in McCone County on Thursday, March 24, 2022.
The Montana Highway Patrol said in a news release on April 2 that the crash happened at about 12:30 a.m. on MT Highway 13 near mile marker 13, north of the town of Circle.
According to the MHP, the 24-year old man - the only person in the car - was northbound when the car went off the right side of the road.
The driver over-corrected and went off the left side of the road; the car rolled several times.
The driver was thrown from the car by the force of the crash; he died on March 25 at a hospital.
The MHP says that alcohol and/or drugs, along with speed, were factors in the crash, and the man was not wearing a seatbelt.
The name of the man has not been released at this point. We will update you if we get more information.
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- Alumni Club: off-limits to Malmstrom airmen
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- Principal on leave after alleged assault
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20220403
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-news/organic-business-in-ulm-is-working-on-upgrades
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ULM — About $7.8 million in American Rescue Plan funds was recently secured for 30 small agriculture businesses in Montana. One of those businesses is Timeless Seeds in Ulm.
Timeless Seeds began in the 80s as one of the first organic food businesses in Montana.
CEO David Oien remembers when organic food was not as common as it now: “Over the years people have become a lot more aware of what they’re eating and how getting what they’re eating is affecting the environment, which is exactly why I think that organic food has been so popular.”
What started out in the small town of Conrad has grown into a business that Oien never could’ve imagined.
“Do you know when we first started out it was really focused on the farm at that point, but as we continue to grow we continue to learn a lot more about our market and a lot of it was outside of Montana.”
With large customers like Whole Foods and Blue Apron, Timeless Seeds has been sending out chickpeas and lentils to consumers all over the country.
This recent funding they have received is going toward upgrading their equipment in order to create the best food safety standards as possible.
Oien explained, “Being an organic business, there is a lot of restrictions and guidelines that go into it, so we really want to make sure equipment is state of the art and up-to-date with what we need.”
At the moment he is planning on purchasing two new pieces of equipment.
“The pieces of equipment that we had 35 years ago when we started, or are no longer state of the art, and with age, all machines run that risk of breaking, so if we can get a machine before it breaks that would be huge.”
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- 8 people taken into custody in Browning
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- VIDEO: an owl visits the Great Falls Eyecam
- Anti-Semitic literature found in Great Falls
- MT man tried to entice teen girl for sex
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20220403
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https://www.kxlf.com/sports/big-sky-conference/montana-state-bobcats/montana-state-receiving-corp-emerging-at-spring-practice
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BOZEMAN — While there is plenty of praise to go around with the second week of spring practices in the rearview for Montana State, week two once again belonged to the receiving corp and a big contributing factor has been the continuity.
“This is my first time ever of having the same playbook, ever in the spring," senior wide receiver WIllie Patterson stated. "We’ve always had different coaches, so having the same playbook is so huge because I know the plays, but now I’m learning the ins and outs.”
While Patterson played an integral role in the Bobcats' offense last fall, ranking second in both receptions (30) and receiving yards (375), growth throughout the entire position group has a priority this spring.
“Those big plays last year were primarily made by Lance [McCutcheon]," head coach Brent Vigen reiterated. "Obviously, Nate [Stewart] made a bunch at the tail end of the season when he got back, so we need guys to emerge in the playmaking role, and that was a large reason why we brought Ravi [Alston] in."
It goes without saying that St John’s transfer Ravi Alston will have some big shoes to fill this fall with McCutcheon coming off one of the best seasons in Bobcat history hauling in (1,219 for a new program record.
“We thought [Alston] had that ability, so to see it on the practice field in pretty short order has been what we're looking for," Vigen said.
The All-American transfer, who amassed 900 receiving yards last fall with the Johnnies, put his talents on display Saturday when the Bobcats brought out the referees for the first time this spring.
During that live period, which featured a mix of different sequences, the 6-foot-3 receiver erupted the sideline after coming down with the ball in a contested one-on-one matchup in the endzone that was thrown by none other than Tommy Mellott.
“Ravi man, he came in head down, humbled, and really starting to earn the respect of a lot of guys because he’s just come in and making plays - and huge plays too," Patterson explained. "Big plays in the endzone showing how big he is how fast he is, how strong he is, and he’s really diving into the playbook early. I’m excited for him.”
The Bobcats will hold their first of two closed scrimmages next Saturday, April 9.
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20220403
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-news/aurora-borealis-montana-photographers-took-some-amazing-shots-this-week
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BILLINGS — During the past few days, photographers across Montana have gotten to take the shots of their lifetime as the northern lights danced in the sky more prominently than they have in years previous.
"All I can say is that it was epic. It was so beautiful. I knew we were going to have a little bit, but I did not expect as much as that," said Rosebud Photographer Sarah Sleaford on Sunday.
Earlier this week on Wednesday, Montanans were treated with a light show, if you knew where to look. Sleaford has been taking photos of the night sky near Forsyth since 2015, but she hasn't seen anything like the electromagnetic show Mother Nature put on a few nights back.
"This is the first time in about two years that we've had perfect conditions. No moon. No wind. Not a single cloud in the sky for eastern Montana. It was perfect," Sleaford said.
From her front yard in Rosebud, Sleaford left her camera's shutter open for about 15 seconds to capture a photo of her husband, Tell Sleaford, standing on top of a vehicle. To see more of her work, visit her Facebook page by clicking here.
You didn't even need a professional camera to capture the capture the beauty. Any old cell phone would have done the trick. Amateur photographer from Billings, Kelsey Hansen, took the photo seen below about 15 miles outside of Roundup on Wednesday. Hansen said her phone's camera saw what her eyes could not.
"It definitely wasn't as vibrant as when you took a picture. That took me by surprise. Phones take some incredible pictures these days. Much more than a couple of years ago. It just automatically had the night mode on and it soaked up all of the light and the exposure and all of that. They just turned out incredible," Hansen said.
Jennifer Bagley owns Phoenix Photography in Billings. She took the amazing photo seen below north of Laurel on Wednesday night with her model Sam Edwards.
"It was literally just looking at the forecast and deciding this is when it's going to be best, between nine and twelve. So lets go out and see what we can get," Bagley said.
"It's crazy because she sees it. So I'm thinking we're looking at fog or clouds or something and then streaks start happening and I'm like, oh my gosh. This is really cool," Edwards added.
View more of Bagley's photos at her Facebook page by clicking here.
The photographers told said the solar cycle is looking good for more northern lights shots over the course of the summer, so photographers should get their cameras ready.
RELATED: Northern Lights over Big Sky Country
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/montana-news/record-prices-low-inventory-drought-the-perfect-storm-of-problems-for-montana-farmers
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BILLINGS — Agriculture is the heartbeat of Montana. Millions of acres of Big Sky country provide the building blocks of life for so many, but so many of those acres are suffering.
Montana is locked in a severe drought. Couple that with continued supply chain issues and the highest fertilizer prices in history, and this industry is facing perhaps its biggest threat ever.
"You always have challenges when you’re farming. Every year is different," said Paul Broyles. "But have I seen one this dry with the price of fertilizer this high? This is a new one."
Broyles has been farming land just north of Rapelje since he was four years old - his dad Gary moved to the area in 1978. The two raise mostly wheat and peas, and they’re good at it. But this year is different.
"Most of farming is a business where you put all the inputs in up front," Gary said. "It's kind of like a high stakes poker game - you have to have it all on the table to begin with."
The stakes are even higher now because those inputs are more expensive than ever.
"I use all liquid fertilizer," Paul said. "The cost right now for that product is $4.50. About 14-15 months ago, the cost per gallon was about $1.62, for the same product."
"Fertilizer prices are beyond anything I’ve ever experienced," added Courtney Herzog.
Herzog is one of the lucky ones in the Rapelje area. He saw the writing on the wall last year and bought his supplies early.
"You had to finance it, pay for it, but at least we knew if we bought it early what the price was going to be and what the availability was going to be," Herzog said.
If a producer waited for the prices to down, not only have they actually gotten higher, but they might not even be able to find fertilizer now - a potential disaster with spring planting season here.
"We saw a big run in fertilizer sales in the last three weeks when the war started in Ukraine," Herzog said, "so a lot of the fertilizer in the area just got slurped up."
Russia is the world’s largest exporter of fertilizer. Much of it is now on hold with heavy trade sanctions and supply chain issues. And that’s not the only product suppliers can’t get.
"I tell the drivers off the dock, it’s a little bit like Christmas every day because you never know what’s under the door," said Nathan Haynie, the manager at Nutrien Ag Solutions in Lockwood. "It's nothing normal that I’ve seen in my 15 year career.
"Guys who are willing to look at different cocktails and recipes, maybe a different application method based on what's available, that has been helpful."
Much of Nathan Haynie’s Nutrient Ag Solutions warehouse is filled with any herbicide they can get their hands on because many planters are expecting another bad grasshopper season after a mild winter.
And that brings us to the biggest issue of all.
"It is so dry, how do we know how to mark it when we’re not sure we can raise it?” Gary asked.
According to the US Drought Monitor, over 80 percent of Montana is in a severe drought and more than half of it, including much of the state’s farm land, falls under the extreme designation. The lack of rain is forcing some difficult decisions.
"We just sold our yearlings," Herzog said. "That’s a decision we made because of moisture. If you can’t grow anything, it doesn’t mean your bills go away."
If rain does show up, grain producers could have a banner year. Wheat prices hit an all-time high in early March at nearly $13 per bushel. That’s because Russia and Ukraine normally export about 30% of the world’s supply, and again, that’s on hold. So while you may pay more for a loaf of bread at local grocery store, that money is more likely to stay home.
"Even with the challenges of high prices and hard-to-find products, we could still overcome all these obstacles with some moisture," Paul said.
"If you could sell wheat at these current prices, you could lock in a profit," Herzog added, "but couple that with no moisture and that's the conundrum."
A problem perhaps unlike any other this industry has ever faced.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/positively-montana/missoula-non-profit-provides-safe-place-for-women-to-overcome-addiction
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MISSOULA — Just off 7th Street in Missoula you will find the yellow home, full of young women who are finding hope within their reach.
Brandi Hodgin, a resident of Adult and Teen Challenge who is about to graduate from the program says her addiction first started after a surgery when she was 24 years old. Brandi was arrested 60-some times, was the victim of human trafficking and, as she says, was broken.
“I came here so broken," said Hodgin. "I'm not having a clue who I was. People would come in and pray with me. And I was like, I’m gonna die like, this is not—I'm not okay."
But in her words, God has a different plan for her.
“But I didn't die," Hodgin said. "And I did it. I never have to do it again.”
For over 20 years it has been a safe place for women in recovery. For program director Jana Roberts, she has seen the increase in need for this type of program in Missoula.
In a matter of seven months, the house went from nearly 50% occupancy to full with 18 ladies.
Here's how Roberts explains the goal of Adult and Teen Challenge:
“Have people fully restored so that they are a contributing member of society, a part of their families, and fully capable of doing life to its fullest,” she said.
And this is accomplished through the 12 to 18 month-long commitment, with class work, counseling, house chores and devotional time.
But most importantly it is done with love and reconciliation.
“I can say that this program is a program of reconciliation and restoration,” Hodgin told MTN News.
Adult and Teen Challenge is in need of volunteers. You can find those details here.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national-politics/will-a-gas-tax-holiday-or-rebate-program-actually-pass-congress
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WASHINGTON — Gas prices continue to set records across the country with the national average hovering around $4.20/gallon.
While President Biden took action last week to increase supply, can anything more be done by lawmakers to provide relief at the pump?
SOME RELIEF IS OCCURRING
The country seems to be in a much different place than it was in April of 2020 when gas prices were under $2 per gallon. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a severe impact on global energy markets.
Russia is the world's third-largest energy producer. The Biden administration is well aware of the impact the hike is having on Americans and has taken some action in the last few days.
Last Thursday, President Biden announced a plan to release one million barrels of oil each day for 180 days from the nation's strategic reserve.
"There isn't enough supply," President Joe Biden said on Thursday at the White House.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also announced a plan last week to increase fuel efficiency standards in new vehicles beginning in 2024. The markets, however, have only moved marginally since those announcements.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
Lawmakers typically have very little say when it comes to the price of gasoline because the energy market is so dependent on output from other countries. However, there are some options being considered on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Option #1: Pressure oil executives to produce more oil and limit profits.
This week, on Wednesday, the leaders of Shell, BP, Chevron, as well as ExxonMobil are expected to testify on Capitol Hill. Democrats are planning to push companies to do more to lower the cost.
"We want to know what’s causing these record-high prices and what needs to be done to bring them down immediately," Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) said, announcing the hearing.
Option #2: Fine oil companies for not drilling.
President Biden has called on Congress to penalize companies that have leases to drill on federal lands but currently are not. Some economists believe an increase in American energy production would offset what is being lost from Russia because of the conflict.
Energy companies have pushed back saying not every location is capable of producing oil. As a result, this idea is looking less likely to make it through a divided Senate.
Option #3: A gas tax holiday or rebate program.
One idea being floated by Democrats is to send $100/month to every American making under $75,000 for the rest of the year as long as gas is above $4/gallon.
However, that idea still lacks the necessary support for passage, with some on Capitol Hill preferring a suspension of the federal gas tax instead. Currently, the federal gas tax is 18 cents a gallon. That has some opponents as well.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi discussed the drawbacks to that idea last week during her weekly press conference.
“The con is the oil companies don’t pass that on to the consumer, they haven’t in the past,” Pelosi told reporters.
As a result, it's still unclear if anything can actually become law in the near future that will help you with the bills.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/planning-a-home-improvement-or-repair-this-spring-plan-to-wait
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Many of us are planning our spring and summer home projects, such as replacing some appliances or redoing a bath or kitchen. But, beware because that home project or repair could run into all sorts of delays this year, and in some cases, the wait could be longer than it was in 2021.
Carolyn Nerenberg is at her wit's end when it comes to getting a new, working refrigerator. "They said, well you can have the floor model or we can order you another, and it will be about a year before you get it," she said. "A year!"
So she reluctantly took the floor model, but now says the ice maker has never worked, since day one.
"We went to use the ice and the water mechanism, and it doesn't work," she explained. "It leaks all over the inside of the refrigerator."
But, even though the fridge was under warranty, the repair company has tried 4 times to fix it. The company has been waiting weeks, at least, for some parts and it still leaks.
"The water all comes down through here, this whole thing is off, cause the water would fill up in here," she said, showing the vegetable crisper.
Many home projects take much longer
But, it's not just kitchen appliances where things are out of stock, parts are hard to find, or there are long delays. It seems no matter what home project you are doing, expect it to take a lot longer till you have it finished.
Homebuilder Ben Fry said, "we're seeing an increase in appliance costs, as well as extended lead times to get them."
But, Fry says fridges and dishwashers are not the worst: It can take up to a year to get custom-sized windows and garage doors.
So his advice to customers?
- Ask about appliances that are in stock, not special orders.
- Try to order a standard size window or door, or a size that the company has in its warehouse.
- Order months before your need it, if possible.
Fry is placing orders the minute home buyers sign on their new home.
"When the customer signs a contract," he said, "We're ordering windows, garage doors, appliances. You know bathroom fixtures. Everything we can that has set lead times to make sure it comes in on time."
We contacted Whirlpool for Carolyn Nerenberg, which is now looking into an expedited repair, or an exchange. She hopes to finally have a working fridge by summer.
"It's very frustrating," she said. "You get your heart set on remodeling, get in the groove and it has been a nightmare, after nightmare."
So, plan ahead so you don't waste your money.
________________
Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").
Like" John Matarese Money on Facebook
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For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/animal-shelter-in-virginia-receives-400-requests-for-puppy-snuggle-sessions
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RICHMOND, Va. — An animal shelter received more than 400 requests for snuggle sessions with seven Pyrenees puppies after offering the chance for folks to "forget about the worries of the world."
"After 2 years of Covid, social upheaval and now a war, we think we could all use a little puppy cuddle time," Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) Director Christie Chipps-Peters posted on Facebook on Friday.
"So that’s just what we are offering! All day Sunday you can sign up for 30 minutes in a room at RACC to kiss these love buckets until your heart and soul is happy."
Officials said the pups, which all now have pending adoptions, were "tasked with a very special job" to "hug you and make you happy."
"These sweet Angel cake puppies are magic, puffy fluffy goodness stuffed with rainbows and sunshine," the Facebook post reads. "If you hug them even for a few minutes, you will forget about the worries of the world."
Officials said priority was given to first responders and health care professionals as well as "anyone who has recently lost a loved one/suffering from a broken heart/depression/anxiety."
Less than six hours after launching the post, officials said they had received more than 400 applications.
In a Facebook Live video Sunday morning, Peters said more than 50 "wonderful people in need that need to heal their hearts" were booked for the private hug room sessions.
However, officials promised to do the same with other litters of puppies in the future.
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https://www.kxlf.com/native-hawaiian-hula-teacher-edith-kanakaole-appear-us-quarters/
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Native Hawaiian Edith Kanaka’ole, who died in 1979, was an award-winning composer and instructor at Hawai’i Community College and University of Hawai’i at Hilo. The U.S. Mint has announced that Kanaka’ole will be one of five American women minted on new quarters in 2023.
Representatives of the Hawaiian cultural-based nonprofit Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, which was established on the traditions and cultural heritage of Edith and her late husband Luka Kanakaʻole, said that the organization is grateful for the honor.
In a March 30 Facebook post, the foundation shared the news.
“The U.S. Mint has just announced that Aunty Edith Kanaka’ole will be featured on the U.S. quarter in 2023 as part of the American Women Quarters Program which celebrates culturally significant women and their achievements; women who’s groundbreaking contributions had lasting impact on society,” they wrote.
Kanaka’ole’s family was pleased by the news, as well.
“This is an unbelievable honor for our family, for our body of work at the Edith Kanaka’ole Foundation in carrying on her legacy and her teachings, for our home and for our people,” said in a statement.
A post by Territorial Airwaves on the anniversary of her birthday shared that Kanaka’ole was born on Oct. 30, 1913, married her husband in 1933 and had six children.
“Edith’s first professional engagement as an entertainer was in 1954,” Territorial Airwaves wrote. “About the same time, she began teaching, following her mother’s stroke. She began composing oli in 1946 and songs in 1947. She founded her halau in 1953, teaching ancient and modern hula as well as other Polynesian dance. She was a noted scholar & teacher of Hawaiian language, ethnobotany, chant, mythology, genealogy, land ownership, Polynesian history.”
The U.S. Mint named four other women to appear on the coin next year: Bessie Coleman, the first African American and first Native American woman pilot; Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady, activist and author; Jovita Idár, Mexican American journalist, activist, teacher and suffragist; and Maria Tallchief, America’s first prima ballerina, who was also Native American.
“The range of accomplishments and experiences of these extraordinary women speak to the contributions women have always made in the history of our country,” U.S. Mint Deputy Director Ventris C. Gibson said in a statement. “I am proud that the Mint continues to connect America through coins by honoring these pioneering women and their groundbreaking contributions to our society.”
This year the mint honored five other American women, including Maya Angelou and Sally Ride.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/crime-and-courts/amber-alert-issued-for-wyoming-children
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The Wyoming Highway Patrol has issued an AMBER Alert on behalf of the Buffalo Police Department for two young children.
The children were taken by their non-custodial mother, Alexis Roth. She is described as a white female, 5-feet, 5-inches tall, 120 pounds, with brown hair, and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black leggings, maroon shirt, and black hoodie.
The children are 4-year-old Aspen Marie Roth, white Hispanic female 3.5 to 4-feet, 27-30 pounds, brunette hair, hazel eyes, olive skin tone. She was last seen wearing jeans and a pink long sleeve with a reference to Paris on it.
Serenity Ann Naslund is a 2-year-old white female, 3-feet tall, 25 pounds, blonde hair, hazel eyes, and fair skin. She was last seen wearing acid-washed jeans and an unknown top.
Alexis Roth was driving a white 2009 Dodge Caravan, with Wyoming plate 16-9068.
They are traveling with a 3-month-old female Alexis has custody of. They were last seen in Buffalo, Wyo. around 10 a.m. Sunday and may be traveling to Grand Prairie, Texas.
Anyone with information should call 911.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/billings-mans-ukrainian-family-safe-in-germany-after-fleeing-war
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BILLINGS - A Billings man heard on Sunday that his relatives made it safely from Romania to Germany after escaping Ukraine a few weeks ago.
The journey will be complete when they make it to the United States.
Yuri Abramov talks regularly with his brother Volodymyr on the computer and has been monitoring the family's progress.
"Every single night, every single day, we talking because I'm worried how they cross borders between many countries," Abramov said.
Yuri has lived in Montana for more than a quarter century and now wants his brother and his brother's grandkids, 14-year-old Max and six-year-old Milana to live in the United States.
"How successful they are moving from country to country closer to closer to United States," Abramov said.
The plan is to go from Germany to France to Mexico and then the US.
Abramov will reunite with his brother after more than 30 years and it's something his mother wanted to have happen when he left Ukraine.
"Finally, our mom's dream and my dream and of course brother dream that they stay in same house in same city, same country and never, never separate again," Abramov said.
His brother left a business behind but had to escape a dangerous situation in Ukraine.
"Most important if you can save your life and life of your grandkids and your kids, we can work together right here and we start new life in United States." Abramov said.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/top-stories-from-todays-montana-this-morning-april-4-2022
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Top stories from today's Montana This Morning, Monday, April 4, 2022 - latest local news and headlines from across the world.
Posted at 8:21 AM, Apr 04, 2022
and last updated 2022-04-04 10:21:25-04
Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/elon-musk-becomes-twitters-largest-shareholder-after-buying-9-2-stake
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought about 9.2% stake in Twitter, according to a regulatory filing published Monday by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The purchase is worth about $2.89 billion, the New York Times reports.
It also makes Musk the largest shareholder in Twitter, according to the Financial Times.
Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, holds a 2.25% stake in the company.
Musk’s move caused Twitter’s stock to surge more than 25% before the market opened on Monday.
Tesla shares rose slightly.
Musk’s net worth is about $273 billion and he’s considered the richest person in the world.
He has recently spoken up about Twitter’s moderation efforts, criticizing the platform for “failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy.”
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https://www.kxlf.com/news/national/how-the-legacy-of-martin-luther-king-jr-is-inspiring-justice-through-journalism
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Martin Luther King, Jr. died more than 50 years ago, but his legacy endures through an organization that's fighting for justice through journalism.
Journalists Karrington Tatum and Andrea Morales put their story directly in the hands of people most affected by what happens in the District Attorney's office. They work for MLK50 Justice Through Journalism.
“There is a district attorney election coming up and we wanted to talk to some people who are currently facing prosecution and ask them what they would want to see," Tatum said.
“We’re trying to figure out how to be a different kind of newsroom so that involves working with the community and working for the community," Morales said.
It’s untraditional work like this that helps get new eyes on their journalism, which is primarily digital. Wendi C. Thomas is the founding publisher.
“What we’re doing is planting seeds," Thomas said. “Initially I planned for it to be a one year project just leading up to the 50th anniversary of Dr. Kings assassination.”
She says their commitment to covering the community in the spirit of Dr. King, in the city where he died fighting for civil rights, has helped them grow stronger. They're now marking five years covering issues in Memphis.
“What our journalism does is connects today to his radical past and making those same kind of calls for true justice and true liberation for people who were marginalized in any way," Thomas said.
Part of this mission is to call out systems and hold them accountable. It’s all part of following the legacy Dr. King laid out.
“He was a great speaker but he didn’t sugarcoat," Tatum said.
“Dr. King was telling you exactly who it is, that’s right. Capitalism, racism, militarism like he called those systems out, said those words," Morales said.
“King was radical. He called for a complete revolution of values," Thomas said.
For MLK50, that means doing journalism a little differently.
"Finding ways to reach people who have felt disenfranchised through journalism because journalism has also done great harm in the city of Memphis," Morales said.
"While we practice all of the traditional tenants of journalism around fairness and accuracy there are some things that we believe are just non-negotiable truths. So workers deserve enough to be able to live on. Healthcare is a human right. Any group that’s been marginalized, we are reporting with them at the core of what we do," Thomas said.
One example of this reporting is an investigation into debt collection practices by the city's largest hospital system that was suing its own low-wage workers for unpaid medical debt.
“And now there are thousands of people who will never be sued because of the reporting that my team and I did," Thomas said.
In order for this journalism to survive, they are primarily supported by national foundations, receiving six-figure multi-year grants to be able to sustain the work. Thomas says it allows them to continue to plant seeds that can grow into justice.
“In our five years, we have done that and I’m excited about what we’ll do in the next five, 10, 15, 20 years," Thomas said.
To learn more about their organization or check out some of their work, click here.
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