Flathead Beacon Headlines

With Obama’s Plan, AmeriCorps to Greatly Expand in Montana

Myers Reece — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:57:46 MDT

President Barack Obama’s call for volunteerism is being heard loud and clear in Montana. But long before the president came to office, the Treasure State was a bastion for community service. Now, with Obama’s plan to triple the size of AmeriCorps, Montana could be gearing up for a considerable increase in its already sizeable volunteer base. Montana perennially has one of the highest rates of community service in the nation. A study by Volunteering in America states that 36.6 percent of Montanans volunteer for some form of service, giving the state the sixth-highest rate in the nation.

Missoula Liberal Talk Radio Goes Conservative

Kellyn Brown — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:49:18 MDT

Liberal talk radio has often struggled to find a foothold anywhere but the some of the largest American markets. When Air America Radio launched in 2004 with hopes of competing with the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, it was forced to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy a little more than two years later. But in Missoula, the most left-leaning city in the state, one would think that the format would work. It hasn’t.

Federal Judge Asked to End Yellowstone Bison Kills

Matthew Brown, Associated Press — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:29:15 MDT

BILLINGS – A coalition of environmental and American Indian groups sued two federal agencies Monday to stop the mass slaughter of bison that migrate outside Yellowstone National Park in search of food. During the last decade, federal agencies working with the state of Montana have captured and shipped to slaughter more than 3,300 bison to prevent the spread of an animal disease to cattle. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, asks for the National Park Service and Forest Service to be barred from participating in the slaughter program.

Fort Hood Victim Had Montana Ties

Associated Press — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:25:28 MDT

BILLINGS – One of the 13 people killed by a gunman at Fort Hood in Texas was a physician's assistant who served in the Montana Army National Guard for many years, his family said. Michael Grant Cahill of Cameron, Texas, and his wife Joleen, who was born and raised in Roundup, lived in Montana for 15 years.

Wyoming Makes Argument for Managing Gray Wolves

Associated Press — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:24:33 MDT

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – In a bid to take over management of gray wolves, Wyoming argues there's no biological reason that the predators should be treated as a trophy game species throughout the entire state. The state made that argument Monday in a brief filed in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne.

Lawyer: Schweitzer Ethics Case Should be Tossed

Associated Press — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:23:41 MDT

HELENA – A state law used to determine Gov. Brian Schweitzer illegally appeared in state-produced radio announcements while he was a candidate is vague and should be thrown out, an attorney for the governor argued. "I don't think there's any question that the law is ambiguous and should not be enforced on the governor," Mike Meloy told District Judge Jeff Sherlock at a hearing. "This is not Watergate. This is a simple 'thank-you-to-farmers' announcement."

Journal for the Health of It

Molly Priddy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:59:28 MDT

Ina Albert, a writer and health care communications coach and consultant, will be putting on a workshop called "Journal For The Health Of It!" on Tuesday, Nov. 17 n the Cornerstone Room on North Valley Hospital's campus.

HIGHS & LOWS

Beacon Staff — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:03:52 MDT

We're high on Mayor-elect Tammi Fisher and low on the state's dropping tax revenue in our weekly index of what’s up, down and in between … HIGH TAMMI FISHER – In her first run for office, the next mayor of Kalispell won 63 percent of the vote in last week’s election, unseating incumbent Pam Kennedy and ushering in a new era in city government. NANCY PELOSI – The triumphant U.S. House Speaker strong-armed enough votes to narrowly pass landmark health legislation, but the Senate will prove a tougher hurdle. NEW YORK YANKEES…

State Sen. Roy Brown Ready to Opt Out of Health Care Plan

Kellyn Brown — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:37:23 MDT

Former Montana gubernatorial candidate and current state Sen. Roy Brown, R-Billings, is already planning to introduce legislation that would allow the state to opt out of the federal health care reform plan being discussed in Congress. From KTVQ: He and several other Republican legislators say the House bill will add 60,000 to 80,000 people to Medicaid in Montana, something Brown calls “a budget buster for Montana”. So, the Republican says he will introduce legislation that takes back control for the state. “20 different states across the country are already looking…

Troy Man Shoots Grizzly in Self Defense

Associated Press — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:34:59 MDT

State wildlife officials say a Troy resident shot a grizzly bear in self defense while hunting in the Cabinet Mountains. Fish, Wildlife and Parks says the man was hunting mule deer on Dad Peak on Nov. 2 when he spotted two grizzly bears in the trees about 50 yards ahead of him. He alerted the bears to his presence by yelling and waving his gun.