Daily Montanan
![Rep. Derek Skees concedes in close Republican PSC primary race](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/12/PSC.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Rep. Derek Skees concedes in close Republican PSC primary race
Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, conceded the Republican Primary race against Dr. Ann Bukacek in the Public Service Commission District Five race,
![Opt-out votes in cities, counties for recreation pot have no end in sight](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/11/marijuana-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Opt-out votes in cities, counties for recreation pot have no end in sight
This year, the state has pulled in $18.7 million in new recreational pot revenue so far, but the opt-out provision has uprooted a sense of stability in the new recreational market for small dispensaries.
![Montana leaders remember former Chief Deputy Attorney General, legislator Kris Hansen](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/07/Kris-Hansen.png?w=980&q=75)
Montana leaders remember former Chief Deputy Attorney General, legislator Kris Hansen
Political leaders in Montana expressed condolences Friday for the loss of former chief deputy Attorney General and state legislator Kris Hansen.
![Snowpack up across Montana, but drought still hurting farmers, ranchers](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/05/Grey-Wolf-Peak-snow.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Snowpack up across Montana, but drought still hurting farmers, ranchers
Although meteorologists cannot predict the potential severity of the fire season at this point, the forecast for average summer conditions and continued runoff from snowpacks have positive implications for avoiding burns in some areas.
![Governor’s Office confirms Italy trip](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/06/Flooding.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Governor’s Office confirms Italy trip
The Governor’s Office confirmed Friday that Gov. Greg Gianforte and his wife, Susan Gianforte, were in Italy after Newsy broke the story on Thursday
![Bear experts: Urban-area grizzly encounters up in Missoula, city on ‘frontlines’ of issue](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/03/Grizzly_bear.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Bear experts: Urban-area grizzly encounters up in Missoula, city on ‘frontlines’ of issue
Black bears sneaking into urban areas throughout the Rocky Mountain West is not a new problem, but recent grizzly bear sightings in the Missoula area have local officials ramping up efforts to foster best practices for safe coexistence with community members.
![Yellowstone National Park changes name of Mount Doane to ‘First Peoples Mountain’](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/06/Yellowstone-Mountain.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Yellowstone National Park changes name of Mount Doane to ‘First Peoples Mountain’
The announcement follows a 15-0 vote affirming the change by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the federal body responsible for maintaining uniform geographic name usage throughout the federal government.
![Cruel death: cash reward offered for information leading to grizzly poacher](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/04/Grizzly.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Cruel death: cash reward offered for information leading to grizzly poacher
The high-impact injury led to sepsis and severe dehydration. On May 29, the bear was put down by Fish, Wildlife and Parks near Wisherd Ridge along the Blackfoot River because she was suffering, emaciated and expected to live only a week longer.
![University of Montana earns R1 status, top rank as research institution](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/08/University-of-Montana.jpg?w=980&q=75)
University of Montana earns R1 status, top rank as research institution
The honor was conferred last week by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education organization, the University of Montana said, making the Missoula flagship among just 146 such institutions of 4,000 in the U.S. in that group.
![BLM has a chance to increase land protections and push back against climate change](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2018/05/GreatBurn.jpg?w=980&q=75)
BLM has a chance to increase land protections and push back against climate change
The Biden administration has an unprecedented opportunity to increase BLM protections for important wildlife habitat, Indigenous peoples’ ancestral lands, watersheds, and ecosystems that can help lessen the impacts of climate change.