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Anaconda Men Get Metal Detecting Pilot on Nat Geo

ANACONDA, Mont. (AP) - Two Anaconda men with an interest in metal detecting have turned their hobby into two pilot episodes on the National Geographic Channel. The Montana Standard reports the show, called "Diggers," is scheduled to premiere with back-to-back episodes at 8 p.m. on Feb. 28. When Tim Saylor and George Wyant were learning about metal detecting, they bought some instructional videos they found to be pretty boring. So they created a website, anacondatreasure.com, and started filming their own adventures in search of gold, silver and coins and self-produced DVDs. Clips posted on YouTube caught the eye of several production companies. Half Yard Productions, creators of "Modern Marvels," met with Saylor and Wyant last year and pitched "Diggers" to Nat Geo. The episodes were filmed in Montana and South Carolina. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Avalanche Warnings Issued for West Central, SW MT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Avalanche warnings are in effect for the Bridger Range in southwestern Montana and the mountains of west central Montana after heavy, wet snow fell on a weaker layer of colder, lighter snow. The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center issued a backcountry avalanche warning for all slopes in the Bridger Range, saying natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. The West Central Montana Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning for the mountains of west central Montana above 5,000 feet. High winds and heavy snowfall were forecast for Wednesday. The center also extended its avalanche warning for the northern mountains in the Rattlesnake, southern Swans and southern Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. The center says the new snow, warmer temperatures and wind have formed a dangerous slab of snow in most locations. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Canadian On Montana Death Row Says He's Changed

DEER LODGE, Mont. (AP) - A Canadian awaiting execution in Montana for killing two men in 1982 says he thinks there is a good chance the governor will spare his life. Ronald A. Smith of Red Deer, Alberta, is asking for life in prison instead of the death penalty. Smith has exhausted his legal appeals. He says leniency from Gov. Brian Schweitzer is his only remaining option to avoid the death penalty, and he believes the governor will recognize that he is a changed man. The Canadian government also now formally supports clemency for Smith. Smith was 24 when he robbed and shot two men who offered him a ride. He says he looks back on that killing with deep regret. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Ex-Husband Of Slain Mont. Woman Arrested In Ariz.

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana authorities say a man suspected in the 2008 death of his ex-wife has been arrested in Phoenix. The Montana attorney general's office says Walter Larson was arrested Wednesday morning while he was leaving his home for work. He is being held on $500,000 bail pending extradition to Montana on charges of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence. Susan Casey of Glendive was reported missing on April 12, 2008. The 34-year-old woman's body was found in the Yellowstone River the next month near Fallon. Officials have not said how Casey died. Larson was arrested two days after Casey's disappearance for violating a restraining order she had filed against him in 1998. A judge dismissed the charge because Larson had not been notified of the restraining order. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

High Court Rules for Power Company Over Mont. Dams

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with a power company in a dispute with Montana over who owns the riverbeds beneath 10 dams on three Montana rivers. In a case that reached back to the travels of Lewis and Clark more than 200 years ago, the court voted unanimously to throw out a state court ruling that could have cost PPL Montana more than $50 million. The power company had appealed a Montana Supreme Court ruling that the state owns the submerged land beneath the dams on the Missouri, Clark Fork and Madison rivers, and that PPL owes back rent and interest. The justices said the Montana court was wrong to conclude that the state owns the riverbeds and ordered the state court to take another look at the case. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Insurance Commissioner Approves New West Sale

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana's insurance commissioner has approved the $1.5 million buyout of a portion of New West Health Services, Montana's third-largest health insurance company. Securities and Insurance Commissioner Monica Lindeen on Tuesday approved PacificSource's takeover of New West's commercial business of 8,600 policyholders. It was the final regulatory hurdle in a government antitrust case that called for the breakup of New West. Federal and state prosecutors intervened last year after Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana proposed a $26 million buyout of New West insurance policies for nearly 11,000 employees at five hospitals across the state. Prosecutors say the deal would have stifled competition and driven up policy costs. After the sale is completed, U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull is expected to sign a final judgment in the antitrust settlement. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Lawsuit Filed Over Lake County Sheriff's Dispute

POLSON, Mont. (AP) - Five current or former members of the Lake County Sheriff's Office have filed a lawsuit against the current sheriff, undersheriff, a detective and a deputy claiming they were retaliated against over efforts to expose corruption. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Missoula. The workers claim some members of the department illegally shot and killed big-game animals and one had illegally altered a firearm from a rifle to a machine gun. The workers say they have been reprimanded, suffered demotions, been denied promotions and subjected to a hostile work environment because of their efforts to expose what they say is law-breaking and corruption within the sheriff's office. Sheriff Jay Doyle told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the officers have not been retaliated against. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Madison Cnty Commissioners Want Ennis School Audit

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) - Madison County commissioners say they're going to strongly encourage the Ennis school board have its finances audited after the attorney general determined the school improperly used taxes levied for adult education and transportation to help pay for a new elementary school. Commissioner Dave Schulz tells The Montana Standard the commissioners want the third-party audit done, but agree the school district should pay it. Schulz says commissioners are going to suggest the school use a different auditor than they have used in the past. Board Chairman Marc Glines did not return a telephone call from the newspaper seeking comment Tuesday. Ennis recently completed a $10 million grade school that was primarily funded with taxes that were levied without being voted on. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Man Withdraws Guilty Plea for Arson Fire

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) - A 32-year-old man who had pleaded guilty to arson by accountability for an August 2010 fire at a Butte apartment building has withdrawn his plea after the judge rejected the plea agreement. The Montana Standard reports Jeffrey R. Mizerski was scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday in District Court for felony arson by accountability for the fire at the National Hotel building, but withdrew his guilty plea after District Judge Brad Newman rejected an agreement that called for a seven-year sentence with the Department of Corrections. Newman set a trial date for May 29. Mizerski and 37-year-old Billy Brasher were charged with intentionally setting a fire in their second-floor apartment that caused so much damage the building had to be demolished. Brasher has pleaded not guilty to arson. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Pat Williams, Jeffrey Krauss Appointed to Regents

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Former U.S. Rep. Pat Williams and former Bozeman Mayor Jeffrey Krauss have been appointed to the state Board of Regents, which oversees the Montana university system. Gov. Brian Schweitzer announced the appointments Wednesday. Williams spent 30 years as a classroom teacher and education administrator and served in the U.S. House from 1979-97, where he was chairman of the post-secondary education committee. Following his retirement from Congress, Williams taught at the University of Montana. Krauss is the director of finance and administration for the Museum of the Rockies and Bozeman's deputy mayor. He is a former Gallatin County treasurer and former Bozeman City Commissioner. Williams is a Democrat whose term will run through February 2019. Krauss is a Republican whose term runs through February 2015. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Tester Confident of Record in Election Challenge

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Sen. Jon Tester says he is confident his record will stand in his re-election challenge from Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg. Tester formally filed with state officials Tuesday to appear on the ballot. The Democrat who came from behind to topple former Sen. Conrad Burns in 2006 is seeking a second term. The race between Tester and Rehberg is already a multimillion-dollar slugfest expected to only receive more attention as November draws near. Tester is being attacked as an ally of President Barack Obama. Tester says he does not regret votes in favor of health care reform because he argues it will help fix a broken system. Tester counters that he thinks Rehberg has been guilty of "irresponsible decisions" while serving in Congress for more than a decade. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Billings Woman Denies Hiding, Drugging Teen

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A 36-year-old Billings woman is denying charges that she hid a 13-year-old runaway at her house, gave him drugs and lied when the boy's parents and police officers asked if he was there. Nicole Lynn Hutchinson pleaded not guilty to felony charges of custodial interference, distribution of drugs and tampering. She also denied misdemeanor charges of obstruction and possessing drug paraphernalia during a hearing via video before District Judge Gregory Todd on Tuesday. Todd maintained Hutchinson's bail at $100,000. Hutchison was arrested Feb. 8. Prosecutors allege she hid the boy at her house between Oct. 17 and Nov. 8 until school officials received a tip about his location. The boy told police he that he smoked marijuana and Hutchinson gave him pills that made him feel "loopy" and sleepy. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Bozeman Woman Pleads No Contest In Marijuana Case

LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) - A Bozeman woman accused of having 182 marijuana plants growing in a Livingston-area home has pleaded no contest to two felonies. The Livingston Enterprise reports Rae Ann Frase pleaded no contest Tuesday to criminal possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to distribute and use or possession of property subject to criminal forfeiture. That came as part of a plea bargain in which she also agreed to pay the Missouri River Drug Task Force $25,000 in lieu of forfeiting the house where the plants were found. Prosecutors say the house has extensive water damage and mold issues. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Feds Loan $638M For Health Co-Ops In 8 States

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Obama administration is awarding loans totaling more than $638 million to start up new health care cooperatives serving eight states. The government says the new nonprofit health insurers will be run by their customers and will be designed to offer coverage to individuals and small businesses. Awards were announced Tuesday for co-ops serving Montana, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Wisconsin. They are envisioned as a way to offer affordable coverage when President Barack Obama's health care reform law requires everyone to carry insurance. Starting in 2014, millions of people now uninsured will buy private coverage in new state markets. The co-ops will compete in these state-run insurance exchanges. Tax-credit subsidies will help customers with the cost of the insurance. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Judge: Ravalli County Violated Open Meeting Laws

HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) - A state judge has ruled Ravalli County commissioners violated open meeting laws when they signed a settlement with a former deputy county attorney. However, District Judge Jim Haynes ruled that Bitterroot Star publisher Michael Howell and Lee Tickell of the Ravalli County Watchdog website waited too long to file their petition to void the county's $180,000 separation agreement with Geoff Mahar. Last March, Mahar filed a discrimination complaint alleging newly elected County Attorney Bill Fullbright discriminated against him on the basis of his political support of former County Attorney George Corn. The Ravalli Republic reports Haynes ruled the county didn't give adequate public notice of the settlement meeting. The newspaper reported the settlement on Sept. 2. The petition to void it was filed on Oct. 9, missing a 30-day deadline. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Lawsuit Over Exxon Spill Sent Back to State Court

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A federal judge has returned to state court a lawsuit by Montana landowners whose property was contaminated with crude oil from a broken Exxon Mobil pipeline. U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull's Feb. 16 ruling is an early victory for the plaintiffs. They are seeking damages against Exxon for not preventing the July 2 spill and then allegedly botching the cleanup. More than 1,500 barrels spilled into the river, fouling 70 miles of shoreline. The case originally was filed in state court IN Yellowstone County, then transferred to federal court at the request of Exxon. Plaintiffs' attorney Cliff Edwards says he wanted the case heard by a jury made up of residents of Yellowstone County, where the spill occurred. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Man Charged with 7th DUI, Endangering Family

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) - A 37-year-old Butte man faces his seventh DUI charge after his wife called 911 to report he was driving erratically on Interstate 90 with her and their three children in the SUV. Butte-Silver Bow County officials say George Fode was driving from Butte to Anaconda Friday evening when he and his wife began arguing. She reported he began swerving and driving up to 90 mph. The Montana Standard reports Fode exited the highway and headed back toward Butte on the frontage road. At one point, his wife and two children were able to get out of the SUV. Officers say the woman could not get their youngest child out of a car seat before he drove off. Officers arrested Fode at his house. He also faces four counts of felony criminal endangerment. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

MT Gas Prices Going Up, Still Below Natl Average

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Gas prices in Montana have been increasing over the past week, but AAA Montana says they're still well behind the national average. AAA's fuel gauge report says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Montana was $3.13 on Monday, which is 44 cents below the national average of $3.57. AAA spokeswoman Tara Hanely says Montana is generally slow to follow the national trend. Surrounding states also have lower prices than the rest of the country, including Wyoming at $3.05, Colorado at $3.08 and Utah at $3.11. AAA says escalating tensions with Iran, economic instability in Europe and a disruption in crude oil distribution are factors in the increased price of gasoline, along with the fact that lagging demand has refineries planning to cut back production. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Publisher Named for Daily Advertiser, Daily World

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Richard Roesgen has been named president and publisher of two newspapers in Louisiana, The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette and The Daily World in Opelousas. Roesgen, who had worked as general manager/executive editor of The Reporter and Action Publications in Fond du Lac, Wis., takes over March 19. He succeeds Ali Zoibi, who is retiring. Roesgen is past president and board member of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and served on the boards of a number of community organizations such as the Fond du Lac Area United Way, the Literacy Council and the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of the University of Montana with a bachelor's degree in political science. The Louisiana newspapers are owned by Gannett Co. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Sam McDonald, Wendy's of Montana Founder, Dies

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Standout athlete, successful businessman and philanthropist Sam McDonald of Billings has died. He was 76. Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary said McDonald died Monday. The Billings Gazette reports McDonald and his wife, Judy, became Wendy's franchisees in 1976. Their company, Wendy's of Montana, has 23 restaurants in several states. In 2000, the McDonald family established the Wendy's Foundation, which donated millions of dollars to causes and organizations, including $1.4 million to the College of Business at Montana State University Billings in 2002. In 2006, the foundation donated $400,000 to put turf on the field at Daylis Stadium in Billings. McDonald grew up in Billings, played basketball at Oklahoma State, worked in the oil industry in Texas and Kansas and in real estate in Denver and Billings before getting into the restaurant business. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Survey Finds Montanans Positive About Economy

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - Economists at the University of Montana say a recent poll shows residents of the Treasure State are more upbeat about the economy than folks elsewhere in the country. Patrick Barkey is director of UM's Bureau of Business and Economic Research. He says Montana's Index of Consumer Sentiment was 106.6 in December, which is up from 100.8 in December 2010. A University of Michigan poll, using the same questions, found the nationwide index was 69.9 in December, down from 70.6 in December 2010. The index is benchmarked to a baseline of 100, and is based on a series of questions that ask people to evaluate their own economic status, the direction of the state economy and the climate for buying durable goods. BBER's research department polled 414 adults from Dec. 8 to Jan. 5. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

UM President Lays Out Demands For Foresters' Ball

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - University of Montana President Royce Engstrom says changes must be made to the Foresters' Ball if the nearly century-old tradition is to continue. About 140 students were kicked out of the dance this month for being intoxicated and unruly. In a Tuesday letter to College of Forestry and Conservation Dean James Burchfield, Engstrom laid out the changes he wants. They include making the event earlier, eliminating venues that encourage inappropriate behavior, having a more manageable attendance size and planning to keep drunk people from entering. Engstrom also says the dance must be family friendly for at least part of the time and it must be designed to be educational as opposed to a party. Engstrom set an April 15 deadline to submit a plan for a redesigned ball. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

UM Reports Sexual Assault of 2 Women

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - The University of Montana notified students that two women reported they were sexually assaulted by an acquaintance after accepting a ride to on-campus housing. The students received an email on Feb. 17 informing them of the separate assaults alleged to have occurred on Feb. 10. UM Vice President Jim Foley said police also were notified Friday afternoon. University officials say the women reported the man forced them to drink alcohol and possibly ingest drugs. The email urged students to be alert to the possible dangers of accepting rides from acquaintances and strangers and to take steps to protect themselves. Missoula police told KECI-TV they know the suspect's name, but may not be able to take any action against him unless the women file a complaint with police. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

WA Snowmobiler Killed in MT Avalanche

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - Officials in northwestern Montana say two Washington state snowmobilers were caught in an avalanche that killed one of them. The Flathead County sheriff's office says the slide occurred at 4 p.m. Monday about 12 miles east of Kalispell in the Lost Johnny drainage of the South Fork of the Flathead River. Undersheriff Jordan White says 33-year-old Charles John Dundon III of Connell, Wash., triggered the slide as he rode his snowmobile across an open slope. Dundon and another man were caught in the slide, but the second man wasn't buried. After searching for Dundon, the second man rode out to Hungry Horse, where he called 911. The victim was located using the signal from his transceiver. His body was recovered and transported out of the area late Monday night. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Grandmother Caring For Child Born in County Jail

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - The grandmother of a baby born last week at the Yellowstone County jail is caring for the infant while the child's mother has been returned to jail. Carol Miller of Emigrant tells the Billings Gazette that she's caring for the infant girl, born at 2 a.m. on Feb. 12 in a holding cell at the jail. the vehicle he was riding in crashed and rolled on U.S. Highway 93 in western Montana. Police tell the Daily Inter Lake that Timothy Attard died in the crash on Saturday morning. Police say the 32-year-old woman driving north in the 2005 GMC Envoy drifted into the southbound lane on a right-hand curve before turning back into the proper lane and losing control. Police say the vehicle crossed back over the southbound lane and went airborne, striking an embankment, then flipping and spinning before landing on the passenger side. Police say speed and alcohol are factors in the crash. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Helicopters Rescue 6 Hikers in Bridger Mountains

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - Authorities say rescue helicopters plucked six hikers out of the Bridger Mountains in western Montana on Sunday morning after they had been trapped overnight by a snowstorm. The Gallatin County Sheriff's office says the six hikers on a wildlife photography outing called for help Saturday afternoon after being caught in a storm on the east side of Sacajawea Peak. Officials tell KBZK-TV that bad weather and avalanches hindered ground rescue efforts until the weather cleared Sunday morning and rescue helicopters spotted the group at about 8,200-foot near the Bridger Range ridgeline. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Hunting Investigation Ends, No Convictions

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - An undercover wildlife investigation in which a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks employee shot a trophy bighorn ram in 2008 has ended with no convictions. Earlier this month, the state Attorney General's office had its motion granted to dismiss its case against James Reed of Rexburg, Idaho. Reed was charged with using a two-way radio while hunting. Two Montanans charged in the investigation were acquitted in three jury trials. Reed tells The Billings Gazette he spent $45,000 in attorney's fees defending himself against the misdemeanor charge. Whitehall filmmaker and taxidermist John Lewton was acquitted of illegal hunting in Chouteau County and acquitted of illegal purchase of the bighorn ram's head in Jefferson County. Glendive-area rancher and hunting outfitter Blake Trangmoe was acquitted in November of hunting without landowner permission. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Marijuana Charges Filed After Bulldogs Attack Girl

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - The father of a 7-year-old girl who was attacked by four American bulldogs faces drug charges after Flathead County deputies investigating the attack found marijuana plants in a shop. The Daily Inter Lake reports Jonathon Banonis, Timothy Standiford and Rachael Clarke were charged Feb. 14 with felony criminal manufacture of dangerous drugs. Arrest warrants were issued. The girl was attacked on Dec. 31. Emergency responders met Standiford, Clarke and the girl at Creston School. Standiford initially refused to say where the attack occurred, but later directed them to his house. Officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from a shop and obtained a search warrant. They found 71 marijuana plants along with marijuana. The girl said she and Clarke had been in the shop before she was attacked. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Severe Storm Damages Glacier Park Ranger Station

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - A remote ranger station in Glacier National Park has received a temporary roof put on by a work crew flown in by helicopter in an attempt to protect the historic structure following storm damage. Park spokeswoman Denise Germann tells the Missoulian in a story published Wednesday that the four-person crew spent four days working on the Belly River Ranger Station in the northeast corner of the park. Germann says the crew dried out the structure built in 1925 and inventoried the damage that occurred about Jan. 1 when a storm tore off more than half the roof shingles and a quarter of the roof. She says the damage was discovered by wildlife biologists in mid-January. After completing repairs, the workers skied out to the Belly River trailhead. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Supreme Court Upholds Molester's Revoked Sentence

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Montana Supreme Court has upheld a decision to revoke a convicted child molester's suspended sentence before it began. State officials filed a petition to revoke Rozell Roland Cook's suspended sentence in June 2010, two days before his scheduled release from prison after serving 10 years for sexual assault. District Judge Kenneth Neill found that Cook had not been able to find a residence far enough from where children congregate. He sentenced the 46-year-old Cook to five more years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. Cook argued that he wasn't given a chance to comply with the conditions of his release and the ruling was a violation of his due process. The Montana high court ruled on Feb. 14 that Cook had the responsibility to meet those conditions. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Upper Midwest Winter Wheat Lacks Snow But Still OK

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The lack of snow in the Upper Midwest is causing some concern among winter wheat farmers. Recent Agriculture Department reports rate the protective snow cover for the winter wheat crop as 80 percent poor in North Dakota, 87 percent poor in South Dakota and 87 percent poor or very poor in Montana. South Dakota Wheat Growers sales manager Ryan Schuchhardt (SHOO'-hahrt) says "my gut tells me we're in trouble." North Dakota State University agronomist Joel Ransom says recent crop sampling hasn't turned up much damage. But he says cold snaps next month could be damaging. Even if there's widespread damage to the region's winter wheat crop it isn't likely to impact grain markets. Upper Midwest states this season account for only about 10 percent of U.S. winter wheat acres. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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