Montana State

Montana Free Press

This excerpt is published by agreement with The Permissions Company, LLC on behalf of Milkweed Editions, milkweed.org. Copyright © 2024 by Chris La Tray. All rights reserved. It may not be republished without the express consent of The Permissions Company, LLC. Chris La Tray wil host book release events...

‘They were always here’

Texas State

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Missouri State

CJ Coombs

When I learned the brown tarantula is also native to Missouri, I gasped, and when I say I'm not too fond of spiders of any genus is an understatement. It's psychological. They have too many legs.

It's mating season for the Texas brown tarantula also known as the Missouri tarantula

Oregon State

This story is excerpted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. While much of Montana’s landscape currently features a small number of large, ongoing blazes, the state’s southeastern corner contains several new fires that grew rapidly over the last several days.

The Montana Fire Report: Aug. 17–23

Colorado State

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David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

North Carolina State

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Belmont, NC

Town Talks

There’s no argument in many folks’ minds that if you want to get some of the best chicken and unmatched customer service, you go to Chick-fil-A. But now, a North Carolina Chick-fil-A requiring adult supervision for teens is ruffling some feathers.

North Carolina Chick-fil-A Ruffles Feathers With New Policy Regarding Teens

Boone, NC

Move-in day for college freshmen is an emotional experience, both for students and their parents. Lori Miggins, a mom from North Carolina, felt this deeply when she dropped off her daughter, Taylor, at Appalachian State University.

North Carolina Mom Sparks Debate By Sleeping In Daughter’s Dorm Her 1st Night At College

Maine State

Sagadahoc County, ME

Lewiston, ME

The Maine Monitor

Editor’s note: This story contains references to suicide. When a bill to strengthen Maine’s yellow flag law went into effect earlier this month, Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry said he felt a sense of relief.

Law enforcement officers can now get a warrant to take someone into protective custody

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asserting the water rights it holds in 10 Montana rivers to keep more water in cold-water fisheries facing low flows wrought by this winter’s meager snowpack. FWP water rights and instream flow specialist Stephen Begley told Montana Free Press that the department has...

Montana asserts its water rights to protect fisheries, recreation on several major rivers

The Lens

This year’s area of low oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico is larger than average, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday. The “dead zone” is approximately 6,705 square miles , as measured last week. Within NOAA’s 38 years of measuring the dead zone, this year’s assessment marks the 12th-largest area of low to no oxygen, which can kill fish and marine life.

Gulf ‘dead zone’ larger than average, larger than expected for 2024, scientists announce

Chicago, IL

NewsNinja

Some people have had a flattering experience of being well-over 21 and being carded at a local bar or restaurant. But one woman was more confused than thrilled when it happened at her local Target.

'I have to ask': Target shopper gets stopped by security guard at entrance. She is puzzled as to why

Georgia State

Daily Coffee Press

According to officials with the Southern District of Georgia, two recently unsealed federal indictments have charged 23 defendants in a series of broad conspiracies involving the use of drones to smuggle methamphetamine, marijuana, and cell phones into state prisons in Georgia.

23 Defendants Charged in Federal Indictments for Drone-Smuggling Drug Operation in Georgia

Florida State

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said he will consider more DUI patrols if voters legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Voters will consider Amendment 3 in November. It would allow adults 21 or older to possess, purchase or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical purposes.

More DUI patrols possible if marijuana issue passes

Salem, OH

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Every day, 8-year-old Emma sits in a small garden outside her grandmother’s home in Salem, Ohio, writing letters to her mom and sometimes singing songs her mother used to sing to her.

Thousands of parents die of overdoses; advocates say their kids need more help

The Current GA

A state Supreme Court’s decision reversing a lower court’s ruling that a private contractor was exempt from the Georgia Open Records Act is being hailed as a win for open government.

State Supreme Court rules Open Records Act applies to private contractors working for governments

Massachusetts State

Dianna Carney

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, has revealed they are still looking for a forever home for an adorable six to seven-year-old French bulldog named Joannie. The local animal rescue explains, "We have received so many applications for identical but much younger Frenchie, Lillian, but no one for Joannie yet."

Meet Joannie: The "Extreme Snuggler" French Bulldog Still Looking For Love

Louisiana State

During my childhood, when my family visited relatives “across the river,” in Bayou Plaquemine, Bayou Goula, Caddo, the Pointe, and White Castle, my siblings and I would sometimes race up and down the levees, some distance away from the cows grazing there. At the summit of the hill, you could see the Mississippi River waters through stands of trees and brush. It never occurred to me that our “playground” was the living testimony of Black men, prisoners of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola whom the state of Louisiana had re-enslaved in the convict leasing system.

No longer ‘half slave, half free’

Missoula, MT

MISSOULA — While it may have taken days for residents to get power restored or weeks to clean their yards after a disastrous thunderstorm rolled through Missoula last month, it will take decades for the city’s urban forest to recover. The July 24 storm, which included wind gusts...

July storm dealt ‘overwhelming’ damage to Missoula’s trees

Uncovering Florida

Most people are guilty of doing it at least once in their lives, many people do it by accident, some do it because they find it fun, and others do it for reasons like honoring loved ones. Regardless of the situation, just about everyone has released a balloon. The difference is that intentionally releasing balloons is now illegal by House Bill 321’s standards.

Law Signed By DeSantis Makes It Illegal To Release Balloons In Florida

Wyoming State

Pinedale, WY

WyoFile

PINEDALE—Rep. Albert Sommers (R-Pinedale) lost to a political newcomer in a close-fought contest for a state Senate seat Tuesday, an upset that ousts one of the most influential figures in Wyoming politics in recent years.

Speaker of the House Sommers loses bid for Senate seat

NewsBreak

Montana’s stubborn childcare conundrum

Lauren Cochrane, 34, perched at the head of a long wooden table, phone in hand, checking her workday schedule out loud. One meeting at 10:30 a.m.,...

Montana’s stubborn childcare conundrum

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