Wednesday: Auto Uncertainty, Wolf Quota, ‘Nothing Here’

By Dan Testa, 5-13-09

Good morning; on the Beacon today, local GM and Chrysler dealers face uncertainty as they wait to hear which dealerships across the country will be cut by the auto manufacturers. David Keene, a spokesman for conservative business principles, told Flathead business owners last week the key improving the economic climate was to continue getting involved politically. The state Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission will meet tomorrow to set a tentative wolf quota for the 2009 hunting season. And a new study is using hair samples from "rub trees" to get information about local grizzly populations.

A judge ruled yesterday that the $375 million loan from Credit Suisse to the Yellowstone Club was predatory and repayment should be a lower priority than other debts. Specialty thinning projects, often funded by nonprofits, are helping to keep some northwest Montana loggers in business and working in the woods. U.S. Senators are looking at limiting the tax-free status of employee-provided health benefits as a way to pay for President Barack Obama's goal of universal coverage. And a new marketing campaign for Montana tourism touts the fact that, "There's Nothing Here." [End of article]