Governor Brian Schweitzer's last six vetoes cleared the legisltive veto process. The Secretary of State's office has declared an outcome before all votes have been tallied because a new law prevents lawmakers fromchanging their veto override vote. More than enough have alredy voted in favor of the Schweitzer vetoes to make sure they stand.

The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear a case on moldy homes on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, stalling the most recent attempt by Blackfeet homeowners to hold a tribal agency responsible for the condition of the homes. The case has been heard in many courts over the past decade.

The state public service commission took step syesterday to require Montana utilities to divulge their top executives' salaries, with the majority of the five member panel voting to reject a request of Lincoln Telephone Co. to keep private the salaries of its highest paid 10 employees, possibly setting up a court battle over the claim it is private information.

With calving mostly complete across the region thoughts of when and how to market cattle is on the forefront of many minds. It’s never too early to plan your next move and for many people with the latest calf crop on the ground, the question is when to sell. Darrell Mark is an Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Hear his thoughts on what the months ahead may hold for livestock producers.

With the implementation of Montana’s Brucellosis Action Plan on May 15, livestock producers in seven counties near Yellowstone National Park are under increased surveillance for the disease. To assist producers in that area, the Department of Livestock is paying for the veterinary costs associated with increased the testing. In addition, livestock producers who have paid for brucellosis testing since last July may be eligible for reimbursement.

Hear Kristi Pettis' interview with State Veterinarian Dr. Marty Zaluski.

Under  House Bill 3, the Montana Department of Livestock received 2.37 million dollars to pay for brucellosis testing. At this point there are no limits for reimbursement but there are two groups of testing dates according to State Veterinarian Dr. Marty Zaluski. January 13, 2009 is the first date since that is when the Boa ...

Adult alfalfa weevils are now active.  Alfalfa weevil surveys are recommended when 310 degree days have accumulated.  Degree day accumulations as of Tuesday May 26 are listed below for several locations in Montana. 

Degree day accumulations as of Tuesday May 26:

Anaconda--106     Bozeman--113.5     Denton (Moccasin)--126
Dillon--120.5     Ennis--111.5     Great Falls--114.5
Helena--167     Huntley--217.5     Lewistown--78.5
Malta--144     Miles City--244     Ronan--116.5
Sidney--150     Three Forks--122
 

Degree day a ...

• President Obama has released 467-million dollars from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to expand and accelerate the development, deployment, and use of geothermal and solar energy throughout the United States. In making the announcement President Obama said we have a choice - we can remain the world’s leading importer of oil, or we can become the world’s leading exporter of clean energy.

• A report released yesterday provides a starting point for the development of policies to deliver broadband to rural areas. In the report, Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps says the nation will prosper and benefit from a concerted effort to bring broadband to rural America, noting that Congress has provided new direction and support for federal broadband policies through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

• Scientists around the world are uniting in support of biodiesel. Membe ...

Lawmakers have tapped 16 topics, out of a possible 18, to study in advance of the next legislative session. A bipartisan committee of lawmakers chose the studies to pursue. The 16 interim studies will cost the state about $700,000 in travel, postage, copy and other expenses.