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HIGHS & LOWS

By Beacon Staff

We’re high on “Butt Huts” and low on Michael Hilton in our weekly index of what’s up, down and in between …

HIGH

“BUTT HUTS” – In the wake of the smoking ban, two enterprising Missoula men are building small dugouts for businesses to accommodate smokers without violating the law.

ARTFUL BRA PROJECT – This exhibit at the Hockaday is a visually arresting and creative way to raise breast cancer awareness that’s worth checking out.

RIO DE JANEIRO – This Brazilian city beat out President Obama-backed Chicago to host the 2016 Olympics for the first time ever in South America.

POLSON SUPER WAL-MART – Four years after the project began, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that Polson officials acted properly rezoning land for the store at the foot of Flathead Lake.

IN BETWEEN

TESTER FOREST BILL – Local conservation group Headwaters Montana came out in support of Sen. Jon Tester’s landmark legislation, calling it “courageous and timely.” Days later, a national group dedicated to preserving recreational access, the “BlueRibbon Coalition,” came out strongly against it, calling it a “nonstarter.”

LOW

MICHAEL HILTON – The head of “American Police Force,” the group trying to operate the Hardin jail, is losing partners and financial backing as awareness of his past as a convicted felon spreads, and the state attorney general launches an investigation.

MONTANA LOTTERY – A legislative audit found the Lottery’s involvement with fantasy sports gambling doesn’t comply with state law – though the Lottery disputes this.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE – Rising to 9.8 percent nationally in Sept., it’s the highest it’s been since 1983.

ROBERT “JOE” HALDERMAN & DAVID LETTERMAN – This CBS news producer was indicted in an extortion plot against David Letterman, trying to blackmail the host with information about his sexual relations for $2 million. For his part, Letterman has admitted to having sexual relationships with female staffers.