Happy Memorial Day, everyone.
As of Sunday, May 30, 2021, Montana reports 111,809 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 24 new cases reported in the last day: 14 in Flathead County, 8 in Missoula County, 2 in Lewis & Clark County. Most Montana counties do not report over the weekend, and so official case counts do not include the most populous Gallatin County, Yellowstone County, and others. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana is 773. Currently, 58 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. The most active cases are in Cascade, Yellowstone, and Flathead Counties. 1,613 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Nationwide, more than 594,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 33,300,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

A Big Sky incentive program will offer free beer and prizes for coronavirus vaccinations. The Big Sky Community Vaccine Incentive Program is put on by three Big Sky nonprofits, the Gallatin City-County Health Department and Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center. Locals can show their COVID-19 vaccination cards to get a free beer at Beehive Basin Brewery or coffee at ACRE Kitchen through July 1.

A routine financial-compliance audit of the Montana Public Service Commission has flagged issues regarding commissioners’ compliance with state travel policy and raised concerns about the integrity and competence of certain PSC commissioners and staff. The report said auditors encountered situations “indicative of an unhealthy organizational culture and ineffective leadership” and uncovered actions taken by PSC staff grave enough to constitute “abuse.”

A bear attacked and injured a man who was hiking in Yellowstone National Park Friday morning, marking the first incident of a bear injuring a person in the park this year. The 39-year-old man was hiking alone on the Beaver Ponds Trail at Mammoth Hot Springs when he saw what he believed to be two grizzly bears. One of the bears attacked and injured the man.