BILLINGS — More than two dozen newly drilled oil and gas wells with a high pollution risk went uninspected on federal and tribal lands in Montana during a recent three-year period, according to an Associated Press review.

U.S. Bureau of Land Management data examined by The Associated Press show that 25 out of 144 wells in high-priority areas were not inspected between fiscal year 2009 and 2012. That’s equivalent to about 1 in 6 wells that weren’t assessed.

Lurching from one near disaster to another...

Officials still unclear when road will be open to the top

Out Of Bounds

Governors met with EPA administrator to discuss cleaner power plant rules

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Senators from the Dakotas are among those making another attempt to have the bison declared the national mammal, citing the animal’s historical significance and importance to Native Americans.

South Dakota’s Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson said the goal is to recognize its cultural, ecological and economic impact.

“The bison has played an important role in our nation’s history, holds spiritual significance to Native American cultures, and remains one of our most iconic and enduring symbols,” Johnson said in a statement.

Chicago man uninjured after spending night in backcountry near East Glacier

Fighting wildfires this year will cost about $1.8 billion

Efforts to preserve 3,000 acres of Whitefish land discussed at June 17 meeting

Plodding recovery plan for imperiled species criticized by environmental groups as "stutter step"

The June 17 meeting at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish begins at 7 p.m.

Over $1 million raised for the University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station

The state is once again waiving license fees for two days

McCarthy emphasized that states will have flexibility in developing plans to reduce carbon output

Lynx were designated a federally protected threatened species in 2000