Dan Boyce

With the Republicans in the majority in both the House and Senate in Washington, there will be changes in energy policy in the next few years. Republicans are pledging to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and to delay or derail the Obama administration's clean air proposals.

Students want to cash in on that growing job market. Those high paying jobs are also attracting petroleum engineering professors. So there are fewer professors to teach ballooning classes.

With the price of solar panels falling, more municipalities and homeowners are installing them. But having solar panels doesn't mean you won't lose power in a blackout — at least not yet.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper has declared a compromise to avert a fight over oil and gas drilling. It's meant to solve fracking-related disputes, but it also serves Democrats' political interests.

The oil fields of western North Dakota are bringing vast economic opportunity to a region that just 10 years ago was in decline. Yet, this vitality is rough around the edges and high art and culture are rare commodities. One organization is trying to change that by sending two professional writers into towns most impacted by the boom to conduct creative writing workshops.

The oil rush in and around North Dakota has brought an influx of mostly male workers flush with cash. Law enforcement agencies and activists say that's creating ample opportunity for organized crime — and that more must be done to prevent women from being forced into prostitution.

A small herd of genetically pure bison, free of cattle genes, have recently arrived at the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in northern Montana. Some tribal members hail the bisons' arrival as a return of an important cultural heritage, but others, including native ranchers, say the new herd is unwelcome.

A year ago, Montana opened the nation's first clinic for free primary healthcare services to its state government employees. It was pitched as a way to improve employee health but faced political opposition. A year later, the state says the clinic is saving money and diagnosing a host of issues.

The only Canadian on death row in the United States is making one last ditch effort to avoid execution. Capitol punishment is illegal in Canada and the Canadian government formally supports the clemency request, but the final word is up to the governor, a vocal supporter of the death penalty.

The population of Montana just hit 1 million, but not all residents are celebrating. It's one of the least dense states in the nation, and they like it that way.