US monitoring high-altitude balloon over the west

The U.S. military is monitoring an unidentified “small” balloon flying at high altitudes over the west, according to two U.S. officials and a defense official. A fighter aircraft was sent to observe the balloon after it was spotted over Utah this morning. The balloon, which is hovering at between 43,000 to 45,000 feet, does not appear to pose a national security threat to the U.S., the officials said. The U.S. is not saying who owns the balloon, but two U.S. officials said that early indications suggest it is not from a foreign government. The balloon is not maneuverable and has…