Yellowstone Public Radio | Public radio for Montana and Northern Wyoming

Red Sand A Reminder, Don't Let Human Trafficking Victims Fall Through The Cracks

Men and women gathered at Montana State University Billings Thursday to take part in a participatory art event where people pour red sand into the cracks of sidewalks. It’s a visual reminder not to let the victims of human trafficking fall through the cracks of society.

The Amerian Prairie Reserve manages nearly 400,000 acres of former ranchland in northeastern Montana. They're kicking out cattle and replacing them with wild bison. — Nate Hegyi / Mountain West News Bureau

Conservation Group Buys Ranches, Replaces Cattle With Wild Bison And Glamping

Bullock Seeks Advice On Continuing Medicaid Expansion; Program Expires in 2019

Mountain West News Bureau

'Welfare Reform 2.0' May Hit Mountain West Hard

By Ali Budner • 6 hours ago

Listen

Listening...

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson's recent proposal to triple rent for the lowest income households is part of what’s being called "Welfare Reform 2.0." This change to federal assistance could have a big impact on our growing region.

Despite High Snowpack, Severe Wildfires May Still Burn In Northern Rockies

By Nate Hegyi • 13 hours ago

Hotter and drier conditions this summer would negate high snowpacks in the Northern Rockies. — Bureau of Land Management

While Colorado and Utah are prepping for a severe wildfire season this year, Montana, Wyoming and northern Idaho have been counting their lucky stars because all three states had a huge snowpack this season.

“We have the best snowpacks in the country,” said meteorologist Michael Richmond.

When all that snow melts, it’ll keep the forest wet and protected from fire.

However that doesn’t mean the region is free and clear. Richmond said it may get hotter and drier than usual this summer. A lot of heat and no rain can dry out a forest within a week or two.

Is Wyoming Really The Equality State Of The Mountain West?

By Maggie Mullen • Apr 25, 2018

If your name is John, you’re more likely to run a large company or be a politician than if you’re a woman with any name. That’s according to the latest "Glass Ceiling Index" by the New York Times. So does this under-representation hold true in our region’s so-called "Equality State"?

Report: Public Comments Mostly Negative On Methane Rule Rollback

By Nate Hegyi • Apr 24, 2018

Bureau of Land Management / Bureau of Land Management

The U.S. Interior Department wants to repeal an Obama-era rule that reduces the burning of methane gas on federal lands. The public comment period on that plan ended April 23, 2018 and it looks like almost everybody thought it was a bad idea.

Listen

Listening...

1:09

Report: Public Comments Mostly Negative On Methane Rule Rollback

NPR Headlines

'Welfare Reform 2.0' May Hit Mountain West Hard

By Ali Budner • 6 hours ago

Listen

Listening...

Red Sand A Reminder, Don't Let Human Trafficking Victims Fall Through The Cracks

By Jackie Yamanaka • 6 hours ago

Despite High Snowpack, Severe Wildfires May Still Burn In Northern Rockies

By Nate Hegyi • 13 hours ago

“We have the best snowpacks in the country,” said meteorologist Michael Richmond.

When all that snow melts, it’ll keep the forest wet and protected from fire.

However that doesn’t mean the region is free and clear. Richmond said it may get hotter and drier than usual this summer. A lot of heat and no rain can dry out a forest within a week or two.

Is Wyoming Really The Equality State Of The Mountain West?

By Maggie Mullen • Apr 25, 2018

Report: Public Comments Mostly Negative On Methane Rule Rollback

By Nate Hegyi • Apr 24, 2018

Listen

Listening...

1:09

Report: Public Comments Mostly Negative On Methane Rule Rollback

New EPA Policy Could Undermine Pollution Studies

By Judy Fahys • Apr 24, 2018

Listen

Listening...

What we know about air pollution and health has roots in the mountain valleys of Utah. Winter smog episodes here are legendary.

Conservation Group Buys Ranches, Replaces Cattle With Wild Bison And Glamping

By Nate Hegyi • Apr 24, 2018

Listen

Listening...

4:34

Conservation Group Buys Ranches, Replaces Cattle With Wild Bison And Glamping

This is about two very different visions of how we should use land in the American West.

On the Great Plains of Montana, conservationists and tribes want to rewind the clock and return wild bison to the shortgrass prairie. But cowboys and ranchers say if that happens, their way of life – their very culture – will disappear.