Here is the latest Montana news from The Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. (AP) Three weeks after the Powder River County sheriff shot a man who was reportedly trespassing at a ranch near Broadus, authorities have released details of how the shooting happened. Officials say Sheriff John Blain shot and killed 59-year-old John Thomas Andrew of Wilsall in an equipment shed on ranch after Andrew brandished a weapon.

HELENA, Mont. (AP) The Montana Department of Agriculture is mailing checks totaling $611,770 to 40 farmers in Montana and North Dakota who were not paid last year after delivering safflower crops to a company in Culbertson. Sustainable Systems LLC agreed in April to allow the Montana Department of Agriculture to sell crops, seed and processed cooking oil and distribute those proceeds and a $113,000 surety bond to producers.

HELENA, Mont. (AP) The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to consider the case of several people whose Montana game farms were hurt by an initiative that voters passed in 2000. Initiative 143 was designed to phase out farms that raised game, chiefly elk, and sold opportunities to shoot the animals within fenced areas. Game farmers petitioning the Supreme Court say their constitutional rights were violated because they weren't compensated for what amounted to the taking of property.

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) The Greater Yellowstone Coalition is holding a $1,500-a-plate fundraiser at Ted Turner's Flying D Ranch on July 11. Ten of the 60 tickets remain available. The evening includes a driving tour of the ranch, guided by Turner, followed by cocktails on Turner's patio and a bison dinner.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-05-09 1528CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list