Here is the latest Montana news from The Associated Press

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) Commissioners from Beaverhead and Madison counties say they were surprised when Sen. Max Baucus announced his support for a bill that would set aside over 500,000 acres of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest as a wilderness area after saying he would seek their support first. A Baucus spokesman says the senator made his decision after careful study.

HELENA, Mont. (AP) Montana Sen. Jon Tester is assuring seniors that a health care overhaul will help reduce their costs. Tester took questions from AARP members today on a statewide conference call about how changes would affect Medicare costs.

POLSON, Mont. (AP) Lake County officials say human remains found last week have been taken to the state crime lab in Missoula for identification. The remains were found in the Big Arm area last week. Police say the remains appear to have been there for several years.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) A 24-year-old man who tried to rob a convenience store on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana with a toy gun has been sentenced to three years in federal prison.

Jeremiah Stewart pleaded guilty in July to the robbery that was thwarted by a clerk who wrestled with him.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-28-09 1750CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list