Chronic wasting disease was detected for the first time on the Flathead Reservation. Tribal officials are now sampling deer herds to see how widespread the fatal disease is.

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 will remain protected as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, federal officials announced Wednesday.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says a rare species of orchid found in the western U.S., including Montana, is no longer endangered. USFWS has proposed the removal of the Ute ladies’-tresses orchid from the endangered species list.

A new conservation agreement west of Lolo will permanently protect a stretch of habitat that could help connect isolated grizzly bear populations.

The Montana Supreme Court upheld the water use permit for a controversial proposal for a copper mine near the Smith River. The mine is now fully permitted to be built.

The Montana Supreme Court Friday affirmed a lower court ruling finding that state environmental regulators failed to assess the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a fossil fuel power plant.

Gov. Greg Gianforte and two state agencies are suing the federal government. They argue Yellowstone National Park’s new bison management plan violates federal law.

In a first, the Montana’s ’s highest court last week affirmed that the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment includes a stable climate. Although the decision could have future implications, it doesn’t drastically change environmental policy in the state right now.

Included in the suite of bills is legislation to identify potential trails that could be connected for long distance biking, and to allow for new rock climbing routes in wilderness areas.

Contractors have been working six days per week since late November to clear Missoula's trees of dangerous loose branches. They're about a third of the way done, according to city officials.