Here is the latest Montana news from The Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. (AP) The state has notified about 2,000 jobless Montanans whose unemployment benefits have expired that they are now eligible for extended payments under a recently passed federal law. Letters were sent last week informing people of eligibility for one more week of tier 2 unemployment benefits and up to 13 weeks of newly created tier 3 benefits.

HELENA, Mont. (AP) Montana businesses will be paying higher unemployment insurance premiums next year because of the increase in benefits paid out due to the recession. Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly says the contribution rates in 2010 will average 1.92 percent of wages paid, up from 1.12 percent in 2009. Employers will receive notice of the 2010 rates next month.

ANACONDA, Mont. (AP) Officials have identified a 25-year-old man who was shot and killed in a weekend hunting accident at a campground southeast of Deer Lodge. Anaconda authorities say the victim was James Boice of Deer Lodge. Police Detective Steve Barclay says Boice was shot Sunday morning at the Orofino Campground, but that he was not shot by another individual.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) A 46-year-old Billings man who pleaded guilty to his 11th drunken-driving offense has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, with two years suspended. James Dean Lessard was arrested and charged with felony DUI in April after striking a vehicle with his car in a parking lot. He has 10 prior DUI convictions in Montana and Wyoming from 1990 to 2001.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-18-09 0232CST | save this article / add to your favorites list