By Dan Testa, 1-15-10
Good morning; on the Beacon today, gray wolves killed livestock in Montana at the
rate of an animal per day in 2009, stirring a backlash against the predators in rural areas and depleting a program that compensates ranchers for their losses. When golf season is over and the snow falls, the
Whitefish golf course turns into the Glacier Nordic Center – more than seven miles of groomed cross country skiing trails considered the most popular cross country skiing destination in the Flathead Valley. Although the newly elected Libby City Council intends to deal professionally with whatever civic matters come before it in 2010, the
distrust, accusations and legal maneuvering that ensued between council members over the last several months could make that difficult. Mick Holien speculates on
what the Pflugrad era will be like for the Griz. And Warren Miller offers up some
highly suspect medical advice.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said he likes what he sees in Gov. Brian Schweitzer's handling of state finances, and is
enlisting his help in a good government project.
MSU's proposed tobacco-free policy has stalled as students continue to debate the balance between public health and personal rights. Arkansas Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln's reelection bid will test not only the clout of the
energetic but unfocused tea party movement but also how effectively the Republican establishment taps it. Montana Republicans, with 62 legislative candidates filing on the first day of the election season,
launched their bid Thursday to take control of the entire Legislature, blasting Democrats as purveyors of higher taxes, bigger government and environmental "obstructionism." Rancher
Dennis McDonald filed Thursday as a Democrat for the U.S. House, pledging not to vote one way in Washington while saying something different in Montana - as he accused Republican U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg of doing. Dozens of people would be set adrift and some could be institutionalized if the state follows through on a
proposal to stop funding day programs for the seriously mentally ill, local officials say. And Bozeman's dispute with Schweitzer over using stimulus funds on tennis courts
will be featured on CNN.
[End of article]
