Around 2:40 a.m. on Wednesday, officials with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) shot and killed a female black bear that had been on the loose with her two cubs in Uptown Butte since early Tuesday morning.

MTN’s Chet Layman spoke with Morgan Jacobsen, information and education manager for Montana FWP Region 3, about the factors that led to putting down the food-conditioned bear and what’s next for her two cubs:

Montana FWP explains decision to euthanize black bear sow in Butte

BOZEMAN — July was Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport’s busiest month, so a four-and half-year plan is now in place to help with the growing pains.

Susan Sanders was visiting her family in Billings and said that Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is her preferred place to travel.

“With the change, you have to expand and accommodate for that, whether it’s expanding the airport and the footprint or expanding the availability and the options for people to get in and out,” Sanders says.

The airport handled 1.5 million passengers in 2019 and expects to handle 2.6 million passengers this year.

Brian Sprenger, chief executive officer for BZN, says that with more travelers comes the need for the expansion.

“Overall, we expect this project to cost about 180 million dollars. It will be the largest airport project in Montana history,” Sprenger says.

They noticed challenges with parking, security checkpoints, and continual problems at baggage claim.

“As we continue to grow, we will continue to have challenges in the future if we don’t provide the infrastructure,” Sprenger says.

The airport plans to expand the baggage claim area with three high-capacity carousels, add a second security checkpoint on the east end, and build a third floor for airport administration offices.

“On the second level, the goal is to add three additional gates to take us to 15,” Sprenger says.

Also, with a plan to add more BZN markets, restaurants, and lounge areas, don’t expect to see a Chili’s or an Applebee’s anytime soon.

“A lot of what we focus on here at the airport is local branding, and we focus more on the airport rather than a national base,” Sprenger says.

As the plan unfolds for the next four and a half years, Sprenger says it won’t impact travelers too much.

“We don’t have to go put baggage claim outside like some airport projects have, so it will all be inside. But the biggest constraint will be at baggage claim, where it will have lost some of our space for queuing and circulation,” Sprenger says.

And what about gates?

“We will lose two gates during construction. But luckily, those are utilized only in the peaks,” Sprenger says.

Sanders is excited to keep catching flights at BZN airport amid the changes.

“I knew it way back in the day, and I’ve seen what it’s become, and I understand it’s expanding, so I am sure it’s going to be wonderful,” Sanders says.

BILLINGS — Tuesday was final cut-down day in the National Football League as teams were required to reach an initial 53-man roster limit for the 2024 season.

Some with Montana connections were locks to make their respective squads. Others fighting for jobs weren’t quite as fortunate.

Those that made teams — and figure to again be featured prominently this season — include Dillon product and former Montana State star Troy Andersen, Bozeman High grad Will Dissly, and ex-Montana State standouts Alex Singleton and Daniel Hardy.

Andersen, a second-round draft pick in 2022, is beginning his third season as a linebacker with the Atlanta Falcons. Dissly, a tight end, signed with the L.A. Chargers in the offseason and is embarking on his seventh NFL season after a six-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks.

Singleton, a linebacker, is back with the Denver Broncos for the third straight year, his sixth season in the NFL. Hardy, a defensive end who played in six games with the L.A. Rams in 2022, made the 53-man roster with the Chicago Bears.

Meanwhile, Butte High grad and former Montana offensive lineman Dylan Cook will begin the 2024 season on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ reserve/injured list with a foot injury. He could be activated later in the year.

Those who were waived on Tuesday included Seahawks linebacker Patrick O’Connell and safety Ty Okada. O’Connell, a Kalispell Glacier alum and former Montana Grizzlies All-American, appeared in one game with the Seahawks last season while Okada, a former All-Big Sky performer at Montana State, played in five games.

Alex Gubner, the 2023 Big Sky defensive player of the year with the Griz, was let go by the Kansas City Chiefs. Former Montana State offensive lineman Lewis Kidd was waived by the San Francisco 49ers.

Bozeman High graduate and former Bobcat wideout Lance McCutcheon was also waived Tuesday by the New York Jets. McCutcheon played 10 games with the Rams in 2022 and spent time on the Houston Texans’ practice squad last season.

Former Montana and Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure was let go by the Green Bay Packers. Toure played in 22 games with Green Bay over the past two seasons, catching a touchdown pass in a game at Buffalo in 2022.

Players who did not make initial 53-man rosters are eligible for waiver claims, and can be added to practice squads or sign with other NFL teams.