Good morning and Happy Independence Day to all our Cambodian readers. Dan Testa talked to Flathead Election Supervisor Monica Eisenzimer who said Turner Askew’s initial two-vote victory for Whitefish City Council was overturned on second count because election workers were stuffing mail-in ballots into the voting machines too quickly. Askew must decide by Thanksgiving whether to ask for a recount. In Helena, the Montana State Supreme Court upheld a Ferndale man’s conviction of killing his common-law wife in 2005. A Kalispell trucker has filed federal charges against the Butte-based Teamsters, alleging that he’s being over-charged for dues he must pay as a nonmember. And I write about Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul’s appeal to Flathead Valley voters.
In state news, the Republican National Committee has named Montana GOP Chairman Erik Iverson a rising star. Vince Devlin of the Missoulian writes about an odd election in Plains where two write-in votes got a reluctant incumbent reelected. Albertson and Safeway grocery store workers across Montana have reached a labor agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers Local No. 4. And if you’re planning to enter the Miss Montana contest the deadline is approaching.
And finally, a recent study proves that humor at the workplace “enhances creativity, department cohesiveness and overall performance.” Good thing the Beacon’s Myers Reece is so funny. Have a great weekend!