NYT: Some states want to finance continued operation of national parks and preserves

Some states are hoping to get national parks and monuments open in spite of the ongoing Republican blockade of a bill appropriating money to pay for complete U.S. government operations.

The New York Times reports today that some states have attempted to convince federal agencies to let them pay for ongoing federal functions. South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has unsuccessfully urged the U.S. Department of Interior to allow the state to finance continued operation of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Many agencies and programs of the national government are shut down in the aftermath of the U.S. House of Representatives' failure to adopt a continuing resolution authorizing continued expenditure of money. The GOP-dominated chamber has sought to use government financing as a vehicle to leverage changes in the Affordable Care Act, a major health care reform law enacted in 2010.

Concern rises over killing of Yellowstone wolves

The apparent targeting of seven wolves from Yellowstone National Park packs as they roamed outside the park boundaries is raising concern that liberal hunting rules in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho are putting the National Park Service's effort to restore wolves to the Yellowstone ecosystem at risk.

National Parks Traveler has the story.