5 Things to Know in Montana for July 1

Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

NEW TRIAL DATE IN EXCHANGE STUDENT SLAYING:

The trial date for a Missoula man charged in the shooting death of a German exchange student has been moved up to December after District Judge Ed McLean last week scheduled a Jan. 5 trial date for 24-year-old Markus Kaarma in the death of 17-year-old Diren Dede. Dede was shot while he was in Kaarma's garage early on April 27. Kaarma has claimed self-defense. Dede's defense attorneys had sought a December trial date and McLean said he would accommodate that request if a larger courtroom became available.

TROUBLE IN DEVELOPING NEW MEDICAID COMPUTER PROGRAM:

Montana officials say Xerox Corp. is in breach of its contract in developing a new computer program to run complicated Montana Medicaid payments. The state says it has lost nearly $13 million as a result of the delays. Xerox officials did not have an immediate comment to an Associated Press query today.

POSSIBLE BISON SITES IDENTIFIED:

Federal officials have identified 20 parcels of public lands in 10 states they say could be suitable for bison relocated from Yellowstone National Park. The locations include areas as diverse as Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park, an Iowa wildlife refuge and a North Dakota national historic site. They were named by the Department of Interior in a report on bison conservation released today.

DEMOCRATS FILE ZINKE COMPLAINT:

The Montana Democratic Party has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission seeking an investigation into connections between Congressional candidate Ryan Zinke and the super PAC he founded. The complaint says the Special Operations for America political-action committee is coordinating with the Zinke campaign committee.

LAWMAKERS WANT AUDIT OF SHELBY PRISON:

A legislative panel is supporting a performance audit of the Crossroads Correctional Center in Shelby to make sure the privately run prison is complying with its state contract. Lee Newspapers of Montana reports the committee will also draft a bill ordering a legislative study of whether the state should continue its contract with Corrections Corp. of America when it expires in 2019.