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Wednesday: GOP Sweep, Volleyball Playoffs, House Speaker Battle

By Beacon Staff

Good morning; on the Beacon today, we look at the impacts of last week’s election, where Republicans snuffed out every Democrat-held elective office in the county, reasserting the Flathead Valley as one of Montana’s conservative bastions. Four teams are representing the Flathead region at the all-class state volleyball tournament, held on Nov. 11-13 at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman. The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission has approved the acquisition of 9,350 acres in the Swan Valley for $14.8 million.

Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs of Billings, accused of masterminding a plan to kill Afghan civilians for sport and goading other soldiers to do the same, appeared at a military hearing Tuesday to determine whether there is enough evidence to court-martial him. A Republican who casts himself as a tea party favorite and the more conservative choice, Rep. Krayton Kerns of Laurel, is running for leader of the Montana House of Representatives. Democrats on Tuesday accused Republican Steve Daines of campaigning illegally for the U.S. Senate seat held by Jon Tester, who is up for re-election in 2012. Montana sued more than a dozen online travel companies on Monday, claiming the companies shortchange the state on hotel taxes. Gov. Brian Schweitzer on Tuesday denied political rumors that he is gearing up to run for president in 2012 and is polling already in New Hampshire in preparation for a race. Rep. Denny Rehberg says federal officials appear bent on destroying Montana’s mining industry with their aggressive enforcement of mine safety violations in recent months.