Eric Whitney

Interior Secretary nominee Ryan Zinke's confirmation hearing is scheduled for this week. Energy developers and tribal leaders are cheering. But environmentalists are wary of the Montana congressman.

Grizzly bears in Yellowstone may soon lose protection from the federal government. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed taking the bears off the endangered species list, saying the population has recovered to a self-sustaining number. Opponents dispute that, in part because they say federal biologists aren't sufficiently accounting for climate change threatening their food sources.

As much as 50,000 gallons of oil has spilled into the Yellowstone River in Montana. Those who live in surrounding cities have been told not to drink tap water. In 2011, more than 60,000 gallons of oil spilled in the same river.

The second round of buying health insurance on the Affordable Care Act exchanges has started. Health officials say Native Americans may have much to gain by buying insurance there.

Big aid agencies are gearing up to help Ebola-ravaged countries. Small communities are also pitching in. The Y in Missoula, for example, is raising money to help the Y in Freetown.

The biggest jump since 2013 has been in states that expanded Medicaid and created insurance exchanges. Arkansas has fared best — reducing its percentage of uninsured from 22 to 12.