County officials say numerous local government entities are likely to join this or other class-action lawsuits over firefighting gear.

Leggitt appeared in state District Court in Butte on Thursday, cuffed and dressed in orange jail garb, and pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Judge Frank Joseph set the next hearing for Aug. 28.

"Mr. Mikkelson sent text messages and photographs of the bear and of himself posing with the bear to acquaintances," a court ...