Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks encourages early mailin certification for eligible apprentice hunters in order to avoid crowds and frustration prior to season openers and the youth hunt. COVID-19 safety protocols are in place at FWP offices and lobby occupancy is very limited, therefore wait times outside may be long. The “Apprentice Hunter” law allows anyone 10 years of age or older

Fish, Wildlife and Parks invites Montana students ages 14 to 18 to create a video highlighting bats and their importance to Montana’s ecosystems and industries. Videos should include research that helps people understand “why bats matter.” The deadline for video submissions is Friday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m., just in time for national Bat Week. Videos can be formatted as a news report,

Sen. Frank Smith, D-Poplar, doesn’t believe that meeting through video conferencing is the best route to take once the Montana Legislature goes into session in January. “I hope we don’t do the Legislature through Zoom because you can’t watch the people testify,” Smith said. “You just don’t get the feeling of the testifiers.” Last week, the Joint House and Senate Rules Committee

The Northside School began Native American Week activities by erecting a teepee, holding a staff dance-off and other activities. Activities district-wide are being held through Sept. 24. Chante Project director Marty Reum led students and teachers at Northside in the morning, Monday, Sept. 21. Local journalist and community organizer Lance Fourstar also emceed. Drumming and singing were performed

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and marks an opportunity for all Montanans to have a role in preventing suicide in our communities. Each year, more than 45,000 Americans — including more than 6,000 Veterans — die by suicide. In the challenging times of the coronavirus pandemic, now is an ideal time to learn how to “be there” to support ourselves and others. “Suicide