Eric Whitney
Eric Whitney is NPR's Mountain West/Great Plains Bureau Chief, and was the former news director for Montana Public Radio.
-
Yellowstone National Park is often overwhelmed by cars. But right now, only bicycles are allowed on some popular park roads. But bikers have to be ready to dodge bears, wolves and other wildlife.
-
Many Native Americans have shifted to the Affordable Care Act for health coverage, and in rural Montana that's created jobs. The state could lose 3,000 health care jobs if the ACA is repealed.
-
The Obama administration has said no to many states' requests to take more control over Medicaid. But the incoming Congress and new White House team may be more amenable.
-
Nationwide, fewer than 10 percent of people who need kidney dialysis do it at home. But close to 40 percent of patients of a Montana doctor do it at home. Medicare is hoping that becomes a trend.
-
Results are in from a preliminary investigation into the fish killing disease that's caused the unprecedented closure of a long stretch of the Yellowstone River in Montana.
-
Firefighters call the Roaring Lion Fire one of the worst they've ever seen. A common refrain among evacuees: The Forest Service should more aggressively thin forests to prevent fires and create jobs.
-
There's a gold rush on in health information technology. Entrepreneurs and venture capitalists are betting on companies that aim to help consumers, insurers and providers save money.
-
Almost twice as many people as expected have signed up for Medicaid, and it has saved Montana $3 million so far, according to a progress report. But the program still has critics.
-
Greg Gianforte, a successful high-tech entrepreneur, is recruiting — not for his company, but for telecommuters to move to rural Montana and bring their high-paying jobs with them.
-
Most people buying Obamacare plans next year are likely to face a small increase in the price of monthly premiums, early numbers suggest. A few plans are asking for steep price hikes, but that's rare.