Edward O'Brien

Associate News Director at Montana Public Radio (Missoula, MT)

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Montana’s congressional delegation backs Israel’s strikes on Iran

2 days ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien

Montana’s Republican congressional delegation unanimously supports Israel’s military strikes against Iran. Montana’s Senior U.S. Sen., Steve Daines advises Iran to surrender, saying, “It is the only option." In a press release issued by his office Friday, Daines says Israel’s strikes are justified given Iran has attacked Israel and U.S. troops. Sen. Tim Sheehy took to social media Friday morning. “Last night Israel launched a bold strike deep in the heart of Iran. Frankly it’s overdue,” he said.
Briefs: Going-to-the sun Road; Rental assistance; Grizzly bear death

5 days ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien |John Hooks |Ellis Juhlin

Going-to-the-Sun Road is set to open to vehiclesEdward O'Brien The full length of Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is expected to open to traffic Monday, June 16. Vehicle reservations are again required this year for the west side of the iconic road and the North Fork. However, those reservations this year will include a designated time slot for vehicles to enter. Reservations will be required from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the end of September.
Briefs: Heat & drought take a toll on Great Falls trees, Flathead Lake levels

1 week ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien |Ellis Juhlin

June snowpack is below normal in much of the stateEEdward F. O'BrienSnowpack across Montana is well below normal for early June and has dropped drastically since May 1. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service says snowpack in the Bitterroot basin melted especially rapidly. One exception is the Bighorn Mountains, where June 1 snowpack was near to above normal. Precipitation last month varied across the state and fell mostly as rain.
A large western Montana wildfire is burning weeks earlier than normal

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien

One of the biggest wildfires in the American west right now is burning about 4 miles north of Plains in western Montana’s Sanders County. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Banana Lake Fire had scorched over 900 acres. Incident spokesman Nick Holloway says it has burned one hunting cabin, but otherwise is not threatening any communities. The fire, which is 15 percent contained, was actively burning Monday afternoon with some tree torching.
Stubborn drought and hot temperatures produce a ‘challenging’ fire season forecast

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien

Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday received his first wildfire season briefing of the year. The outlook is a mixed bag. Most of Montana’s land and fire management agencies say they’re prepared for fire season. The weather forecast, however, is grim. Meteorologist Dan Borsum did not mince words in his prepared remarks to Gov. Gianforte during Monday’s briefing.
Briefs: Grizzly bear deaths; Meat processing funds; Deer ticks detected

3 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien |Aaron Bolton |Victoria Traxler

Five grizzly bear deaths confirmed in Montana so far this year According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks two people were picking mushrooms just north of Choteau on May 21 when they were charged by an adult female grizzly bear. The men shot and killed the bear at close range. Neither person was injured. This is the second grizzly bear fatality in Teton County this year. A man hunting for shed antlers last month in Dupuyer shot and killed a grizzly after it charged him. He was uninjured.
The Pig Why: How Montana pork producers bring home the bacon

4 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien |Austin Amestoy

This week’s topic comes from a listener who asks, ‘Why is there no hog industry in Montana?’ While Montana famously has more cows than people, as we dug into this question, we found out that pigs are a big deal in Montana. Austin Amestoy: Welcome to The Big Why, a series from Montana Public Radio where we find out what we can discover together. I'm your host, Austin Amestoy. This is a show about listener-powered reporting. We'll answer questions, big or small, about anything under the Big Sky.
Briefs: Bacterial infection hits bighorn sheep; Aquatic invasive species checkpoints

1 month ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien

Bighorn sheep test positive for pneumonia-causing bacteriaA pair of north-central Montana bighorn sheep have tested positive for pneumonia-causing bacteria. State wildlife officials say this is disappointing news for what was once one of the region’s strongest herds. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks says both rams tested positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumonia or M. ovi. One of the sheep tested was harvested by a hunter this past fall.
School funding is on the ballot across western Montana

1 month ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien

This year’s spring school election comes amid a backdrop of mounting operational costs, federal funding cuts and declining enrollment in many Montana districts. Ballots for Missoula County’s May 6 school election should be in voters’ hands this week. They’ll decide the outcome of three levies. The elementary and high school levies are operational, meaning they fund the basic expenses of day-to-day school operations.
Snowpack remains below average across much of the state

2 months ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien

Montana’s weather last month was marked by a mix of rain, fresh snow, and even some snow melt. The good news is precipitation was above normal for March across most of the state. That’s according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Bozeman. Deficits, however, stubbornly persist in a few locations. The Sun-Teton-Marias and St. Mary River basins have hovered around 70-80% of normal. The Upper Clark Fork and Power River Basins are also lagging behind.

Journalists covering the same region

Carly Graf

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

Carly Graf primarily covers news in Montana, United States, focusing on areas around the central and western parts of the state.

Brian Bennett

News Director at Northern Broadcasting System

Brian Bennett primarily covers news in the central region of Montana, United States, including areas around the coordinates near Great Falls and Helena.