USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for grants until June 22 to fund Montana projects that could stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Conservation Innovation Grants generally fund pilot projects, field demonstrations and on-farm conservation research. Tom Watson, NRCS state conservationist for Montana,

Amtrak has asked Congress for an additional $1.475 billion in supplemental funding in fiscal year 2021. According to the letter, additional funding is necessary for Amtrak to operate minimum service levels across the passenger rail network and continue capital investments for the future. The funds would also support Amtrak’s 17 state partners on the National Network and nine commuter and state

New COVID-19 cases reported in Montana over the past week totaled 31. The count now stands at 554, while North Dakota’s case count increased by 255 to 2,901 in the past week. At presstime Tuesday, June 9, there were 554 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Montana. Of those cases, 485 are listed as recovered and active cases are at 51, up from last week’s 44 active cases. There have been 72 total

The 2020 Poplar Wild West Days Rodeo is officially on. Dates will be Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14. It will be held at the Poplar Saddle Club grounds north of Poplar. Start time will be a little earlier than usual. According to the event poster, the rodeo will begin at 1 p.m. Wild horse races will include six teams per day. Admission is $10 per person, kids twelve and under will be $5 per day.

As the state moves into Phase 2 of Gov. Steve Bullock’s Reopening the Big Sky Plan, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices and visitor centers reopened to the public June 3. FWP offices have been closed since late March due to Montana’s COVID-19 pandemic response. As the public returns, strict adherence to Phase 2 guidelines will be critical: stay at home if you feel sick, make sure to

Wolf Point Youth Sports opened the 2020 summer season in Culbertson Tuesday, June 2, and hosted several games on the ballfields at Borge Community Park Tuesday, June 9, after the Northern Plains Independent went to press. Pee wee teams will play at Borge Community Park with boys Thursday, June 11 and girls Monday, June 15. No other games will be played at home. The 2020 summer seasons

The pee wee program is baseball for boys and softball for girls ages six to eight. Both program are divided into A and B teams. Ashley Azure and Jason Hamilton coach the boys and Kim Hanks and Jessica Larson coach the girls. The tentative season schedule has pee wee A vs. B squads playing at home Thursday, June 11. Pee wee girls A vs. B teams are scheduled to play at home Monday, June 15. Wolf