West

Federal officials use the forecast released each August to make decisions about how to allocate river water.

The most dramatic changes have been seen in the desert Southwest.

Forecasters expect nearly the entire country to be warmer than normal for the next three months.

Any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy, while a score above 50 suggests a growing economy.

Nearly three of every four bankers surveyed reported restructuring farm loans to deal with weak farm income.

Any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy.

Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy.

The confidence index remained low at 42.9 in September — up slightly from August's 42.

Grouse numbers in Idaho have dropped more than 50 percent since 2015.

Stenehjem said Friday he thought the proposal had languished but attorneys general recently learned that it was still being reviewed.