As of Wednesday, June 9, 2021, Montana reports 112,591 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 75 new cases reported in the last day: 12 new cases in Yellowstone County, 10 new cases in Cascade County, 10 new cases in Missoula County, 7 new cases in Gallatin County, 6 new cases in Flathead County, and more new cases in 17 more Montana counties. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana is 630. Currently, 60 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. The most active cases are in Yellowstone, Flathead and Cascade Counties. 1,636 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Nationwide, more than 598,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 33,400,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

Johnson & Johnson is working to extend the shelf-life of its Covid-19 vaccine so doses don’t expire. As some states report they have Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine doses expiring before they get used, the company and federal officials say they’re looking at extending expiration dates or whether the doses could be put to use elsewhere.

The US has purchased and will donate 500 million doses of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine worldwide as it seeks to be a key player in getting other nations vaccinated. President Joe Biden will announce the news at the G7 summit in Cornwall, England, this week.

The moon will partially block out the sun this Thursday to create a “ring of fire” solar eclipse. Some people in the Northern Hemisphere will be able to catch the first of two solar eclipses this year on June 10.

The group that successfully brought a 1978 ballot referendum that put proposed nuclear power plants up to a public vote only to have it overturned by the 2021 Legislature has filed for a ballot issue to override the bill passed by lawmakers. Ballot issue No. 7, as filed May 28 with the secretary of state’s office, reverses House Bill 273, sponsored by Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, which repealed a 43-year-old law mandating a statewide vote on any proposed nuclear power facility.