Good morning, Missoula.

Marine veteran Jason Howard, who became homeless following an accident and legal trouble, secured an apartment near services with help from local programs including Housing Montana Heroes.

He will focus on recovery and start school to mentor in Veterans Court (using his experience to assist other veterans).

Humane Society of Western Montana will showcase eight-week-old mini schnauzers, including Bernie, for adoption this weekend at Pet Fest at Caras Park from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; free core vaccines + microchips will be offered until 1:00 p.m.

Missoula will open a new trail and park along Rattlesnake Creek on Aug.

18 with a ribbon-cutting at 2:00 p.m. at North Duncan Trailhead, 4820 Duncan Drive, and visitors are urged to carpool+walk+bike due to limited parking.

Dixon melons in western Montana have begun harvest but are behind schedule because of hazy skies and wildfire smoke — over 65,000 melons are planted with local farmers markets in Polson, Missoula, Butte, and Columbia Falls scheduled to receive fresh produce soon.

Cupbop Korean BBQ has applied for a permit to open a new restaurant in Missoula, suggesting its quick-service Korean BBQ may soon be available for local diners — the chain already operates in Billings and Helena and offers rice or noodle bases with various toppings and spice options.

Missoula’s Applebee’s on South Reserve Street closed permanently, leaving longtime customers without a familiar dining spot, and there is no official plan yet for the property’s future.

Big Dipper will expand its Paxson Plaza location by launching CONEBOY Coffee with locally roasted coffee, espresso and specialty drinks.

The new offering will add to the center's evolving mix of local shops and eateries.

Neptune Aviation in Missoula is converting an Airbus A319 into the world’s first firefighting aircraft of its kind that will carry 4,500 gallons of retardant (nearly 50% more than its current BAe146s).

The plane is modified in Alabama and will join a fleet expansion planned for 2028.

Hellgate Elementary opened its new on-site childcare facility to help staff struggling to find care, and superintendent Molly Blakely said it will ease burdens on working parents + offer a practical solution for balancing work and family.

Supervisory Biologist Shannon Clairmont advises visitors to stay inside vehicles at CSKT Bison Range during the summer rut as bison engage in fights over mates and display signs of aggression.

Tourist visits peak from July to September and offer a firsthand look at nature’s rhythms.

Four environmental groups will sue if the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service do not review in 60 days a logging project near Seeley Lake—covering 8,500 acres—that critics say fails to protect grizzly bears.

A five-soldier Montana National Guard team will deploy Tuesday to Washington to help fight wildfires that have burned over 10,000 acres after Gov. Gianforte responded to a request — the mission includes a CH-47 Chinook helicopter with its crew to move personnel and equipment.