As of Friday, November 19, 2021, Montana reports 188,013 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 500 new cases of coronavirus infection reported since Friday: 76 new cases in Ravalli County, 75 new cases in Yellowstone County, 57 new cases in Gallatin County, 51 new cases in Missoula County, and more new cases in 31 more Montana counties. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana is 6,669. Currently, 271 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. 2,547 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Seven more people’s deaths have been reported since Friday. Nationwide, more than 767,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 47,500,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown allegedly obtained a fake Covid-19 vaccination card to evade NFL league protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The NFL said that any attempt by team personnel or players to use a fake card would be reviewed under the personal conduct policy and may subject them to discipline. It’s also a federal criminal offense to use a fake COVID-19 card because falsifying a government seal, which appears on the cards, is illegal.

The Biden administration will consider new measures to protect greater sage grouse, a bird species once found across much of the U.S. West that has suffered drastic declines in recent decades due to oil and gas drilling, livestock grazing, wildfires and other pressures. Greater sage grouse once numbered in the millions across 11 Western states, including Montana. Greater sage grouse numbers are down 65% since 1986.

Be A Santa to a Senior is a program that supports older adults who may be overlooked, isolated or alone during the holiday season. The program collects gifts and necessity items such as toiletries, clothing and blankets to help area seniors celebrate the holidays. This year, the Bozeman and Helena Home Instead offices are partnering with numerous senior communities and local nonprofits to provide gifts to more than 250 seniors in the area.