Montana state officials have already made a New Year’s resolution: Sue the federal government. In a lawsuit filed on Dec. 31, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte accused the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) of violating established agreements for managing bison.

Federal wildlife officials have ignored Montana’s concerns about increased numbers of bison, the lawsuit said, and also avoided vaccinating the animals against brucellosis, a disease that worries the state’s cattle-ranching industry.

It’s the latest escalation in a decades-long conflict between state and federal officials over management of bison herds in Yellowstone National Park. The core issue is about how to manage the animals when they leave park borders and roam into Montana. According to the lawsuit, the NPS changed the rules regarding bison numbers and vaccination in a 2024 environmental impact statement without consulting state officials.

The lawsuit was filed in district court by Gianforte’s office, the Montana Department of Livestock, and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. The NPS didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday.

“The new Bison Management Plan is another example of Yellowstone National Park’s tendency to do what it wants, leaving Montana to collect the pieces,” the lawsuit said.

Is Livestock Disease the Issue?

The latest dispute began in 2000 when Yellowstone National Park implemented the Interagency Bison Management Plan. This long-term plan allowed for brucellosis-positive bison to live in Yellowstone. That concerned Montana officials because brucellosis can cause fetal abortion and sterility in livestock, and Yellowstone bison frequently roam outside of park boundaries.

State officials hoped the issue would be addressed when the NPS updated the management plan in July 2024. But that’s not what happened, according to the lawsuit. Instead, the updated plan violates previous agreements to keep bison Yellowstone bison herds under 3,000 animals, and avoids vaccinating them against brucellosis, Gov. Gianforte said in a July 2024 letter to federal officials.

“The condescending and disingenuous methods of NPS, and other agencies, is forcing a new day in the West,” Gianforte wrote.

While brucellosis has been found among Yellowstone bison, it’s more likely to infect livestock via elk herds, according to 2016 research from the U.S. Geological Survey.

“Any attempt to control the rate of spread in wildlife must be evaluated at the ecosystem scale and include an effective strategy to address infection in elk across the greater Yellowstone area. Focus on bison alone, as was suggested in the past, will not meet the disease eradication objective and conserve wildlife,” said the National Park Service’s Rick Wallen, lead wildlife biologist for the bison program in Yellowstone National Park and co-author of the 2016 study.

Too Many Bison?

But by 2023, the Yellowstone bison population had swelled to 6,000, or double the intended herd limit from the 2000 plan. That led to Montana hunters killing many of the animals at point-blank range as they wandered outside park borders, according to conservation groups Roam Free Nation and Alliance for the Wild Rockies.

“The so-called ‘hunt’ is just another tool to achieve what livestock interests want — to keep wild bison out of Montana,” the organizations said jointly in a press release.

Regardless, the Montana lawsuit requests a temporary pause of the 2024 bison plan while the court reviews the state’s claims.

BOZEMAN — Montana State is one win from capping a dream season by winning the FCS national championship, which would be the program’s first title in 40 long years.

It’s the Bobcats second trip to the championship game since 2021, and they’ll again face North Dakota State. Helping drive MSU’s run to Frisco, Texas, is a group of Lone Star natives that has given the Bobcats a big boost in forging a 15-0 record and a shot at the crown.

Among them is safety Dru Polidore, a native of Katy, Texas. Polidore is a guest on this week’s edition of the Bobcat Insider show with hosts Grace Lawrence of MTN Sports and Keaton Gillogly, the MSU play-by-play voice.

Polidore discusses the Bobcats’ Texas connection and the opportunity to win a title in his home state. Head coach Brent Vigen also joins this week’s show to look back at the semifinal victory over South Dakota, ahead to the North Dakota State matchup, as well as his connection with NDSU head coach Tim Polasek.

Montana State and North Dakota State kick off the FCS national championship game Monday at 5 p.m. Mountain time at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 1, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 1 drawing

06-12-28-35-66, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 1 drawing

07-15-17-39-40, Lucky Ball: 16

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 1 drawing

01-02-08-14-30, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 1 drawing

17-23-25-30, Bonus: 14

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Jan. 1 drawing

03-08-24-27-40

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Mega Millions: 9:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
• Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
• Lotto America: 9:00 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
• Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
• Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Montana Cash: 8:00 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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