News Minute: Here is the latest Montana news from The Associated Press

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BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - State wildlife officials aren't sure what killed three bison that were found dead in the Yellowstone River, but they know it wasn't a virus spread by domestic sheep. The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced today that tests on two more bison turned up negative for malignant catarrhal fever. The first negative test was announced late last month.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Defense attorneys are seeking to avoid the death penalty for 1 of 2 men charged in the killing of a Montana high school teacher because they say the suspect is mentally disabled. Twenty-4-year-old Michael Spell of Colorado faces charges including deliberate homicide for the alleged January 2012 kidnapping and murder of Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold.

LEWISTOWN, Mont. (AP) - Fergus County officials say a 37-year-old Lewistown woman drowned at a fishing access on Big Spring Creek. Coroner Dick Brown said Michele Marlene Hope was being swept away by high water at about 5:30 p.m. yesterday. Lewistown Fire/Rescue says Hope was found within 10 minutes of the first 911 call, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Interior Department says it is ready to start a program to help Native American tribes buy parcels of reservation land that have accumulated multiple owners. The purchases announced today are part of the settlement of the Cobell lawsuit over government mismanagement of Indian land royalties. Outgoing Interior deputy secretary David Hayes says purchase offers should begin at the end of the year and speed up in coming years.

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Murder suspect's attorneys seek new venue
Murder suspect's attorneys seek new venue
Attorneys for one of two men charged in the death of Sidney high school teacher Sherry Arnold are seeking to have his trial moved to Bozeman.
Attorneys for one of two men charged in the death of Sidney high school teacher Sherry Arnold are seeking to have his trial moved to Bozeman.
Catholic religious order opens abuse files
Catholic religious order opens abuse files
A Roman Catholic religious order based in the Midwest is releasing an unusually candid report admitting it failed victims of clergy sex abuse.
A Roman Catholic religious order based in the Midwest is releasing an unusually candid report admitting it failed victims of clergy sex abuse.
Feds investigate child death on ND reservation
Feds investigate child death on ND reservation
Federal authorities are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy on the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota.
Federal authorities are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy on the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota.
Lakota language supporter White Hat dies
Lakota language supporter White Hat dies
Lakota language preservationists and tribal members say the Lakota language lost one of its greatest supporters with the death of Albert White Hat last week.
Lakota language preservationists and tribal members say the Lakota language lost one of its greatest supporters with the death of Albert White Hat last week.
Bismarck woman pleads not guilty to child neglect
Bismarck woman pleads not guilty to child neglect
A Bismarck woman accused of leaving four children home alone in an apartment where a fire started in an oven has pleaded not guilty to abuse or neglect of a child.
A Bismarck woman accused of leaving four children home alone in an apartment where a fire started in an oven has pleaded not guilty to abuse or neglect of a child.
ND family in standoff will face November trial
ND family in standoff will face November trial
A state district judge has rejected a plea agreement reached between prosecutors and members of a rural Lakota family involved in a summer-long standoff with law enforcement in 2011.
A state district judge has rejected a plea agreement reached between prosecutors and members of a rural Lakota family involved in a summer-long standoff with law enforcement in 2011.
Proposed oil field waste landfill draws criticism
Proposed oil field waste landfill draws criticism
A proposed oil field waste landfill northwest of Underwood is being criticized by some area residents who fear radioactive contamination and increased highway traffic.
A proposed oil field waste landfill northwest of Underwood is being criticized by some area residents who fear radioactive contamination and increased highway traffic.
Grand Forks enhances discrimination safeguards
Grand Forks enhances discrimination safeguards
Grand Forks has become the first city in North Dakota to protect city employees and applicants from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Grand Forks has become the first city in North Dakota to protect city employees and applicants from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
North Dakota Trails Conference getting under way
North Dakota Trails Conference getting under way
Managers and users of trails in North Dakota are gathering in Bismarck.
Managers and users of trails in North Dakota are gathering in Bismarck.
News Minute: Here is the latest North Dakota news from The Associated Press
News Minute: Here is the latest North Dakota news from The Associated Press
Authorities say a Cannonball man has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for domestic assault by a habitual offender. Twenty-six-year-old Ira Plenty Chief was sentenced yesterday. Officials say Plenty Chief had...

News Minute: Here is the latest Montana news from The Associated Press - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

News Minute: Here is the latest Montana news from The Associated Press

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