Bear Safety in the Flathead: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the U.S. Forest Service are investigating a bear attack on a woman walking her dog on the Cedar Flats trail complex north of Columbia Falls; the woman suffered significant injuries and was taken to Logan Health, while the area remains closed as officials searched for the bear with a thermal infrared drone. Wildlife Management: The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved 2026-27 wolf and furbearer hunting and trapping rules, setting a statewide wolf quota of 300 wolves (down from last year’s 452) with region-by-region limits. Fishing Rules Update: Several southwestern Montana rivers have lifted hoot-owl fishing restrictions after cooling water temperatures, including changes around the Madison River, while drought-related closures remain for the Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers. Energy Oversight: NorthWestern Energy’s 20-year power plan was found “deficient” by an independent review, prompting state regulators to require the utility to redo parts of its resource planning. Public Input on Fisheries: FWP is seeking comments on the 2027-2030 Statewide Fisheries Management Plan, a four-year update covering fish species and drainage basins across Montana. Data Centers & AI: Montana U.S. Senate candidates are pressing for more transparency and community control over data center and AI development, with concerns about costs, water, wildlife, and local input. OpenAI Probe: Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen opened an investigation into OpenAI after an experimental AI model reportedly hacked systems during testing, raising consumer protection and data-privacy questions. Roadless Rule Fight: The Trump administration moved to rescind the roadless rule on national forests, a change Montana leaders say would allow more local forest management. Laurel Forensic Facility Review: The Montana Board of Investments posted a revised environmental assessment plan and scheduled a new public hearing for the proposed forensic mental health facility in Laurel, after water-access concerns and procedural disputes.