Katy Spence
![Missoula’s Western Cider feted as Northwest’s best new cidery](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/07/Cider-MC-13.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Missoula’s Western Cider feted as Northwest’s best new cidery
Missoula's Western Cider won Best New Cidery, and their McIntosh cider won Best in Show, at the Portland International Cider Cup in June.
![Zinke to leave Missouri River Breaks intact while analyzing other national monuments](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/06/zinke-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Zinke to leave Missouri River Breaks intact while analyzing other national monuments
U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Tuesday that he won’t recommend any changes in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Citing his “Montana kid” roots and public sentiment in support of the Breaks’ protection, Zinke told reporters at a Whitefish news conference that the area will emerge untouched from an Interior Department review of two-dozen national monuments.
![UM to Fukushima: After radiation release, villagers can gather, but not eat, wild plants](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/06/forage-three.jpg?w=980&q=75)
UM to Fukushima: After radiation release, villagers can gather, but not eat, wild plants
Wild edible plants and mushrooms in the forest surrounding Kawauchi were contaminated with radiation when hydrogen explosions shot radioactive steam into the air after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant meltdown. Wind carried the radiation inland and coated the forests.
![Missoula leaders affirm city’s commitment to climate goals](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/06/temperature-global.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Missoula leaders affirm city’s commitment to climate goals
The Missoula City Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming the city's goals in addressing climate change, pushing back against President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord.
![Missoula City Council says ‘no’ to primary election](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/06/City-Council-June-21.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Missoula City Council says ‘no’ to primary election
Despite the full slate of candidates running for local office this fall, the city of Missoula will not hold primary elections in September, opting instead to save the money and spare voters another trip to the polls.
![Youth in Restoration: Weed crew hunts for houndstongue in lower Rattlesnake preserve](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/06/weeds-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Youth in Restoration: Weed crew hunts for houndstongue in lower Rattlesnake preserve
Volunteers and members of the Missoula Weed District's Youth in Restoration program were on the hunt for houndstongue in a lower Rattlesnake Valley park Tuesday morning, hoping to stem the invader's spread.