Good morning and happy Cinco de Mayo.
It’s a beautiful spring morning in the valley. On the site today, Myers Reece writes about the heavily favored Whitefish boys tennis team, led by Chilean first singles player Renzo Caimi. Little League in Columbia Falls is underway. And check out Mark Riffey’s photo slide show from the C-Falls Arbor Day celebration. And Editor Kellyn Brown speculates that Gov. Brian Schweitzer, secretly, is pulling for Hillary.
In state news, authorities are searching for two inmates who escaped from the womens’ prison in Billings. Wyoming’s Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal will stump for Obama at an upcoming fundraiser in Billings. The state Department of Transportation is taking a dispute with a sign company over electronic billboards to Montana’s Supreme Court. Bozeman Republican Rep. John Sinrud and former U.S. Rep. Ron Marlenee are forming an election-year advocacy group to promote property rights, development of Montana’s natural resources and combat the agenda of so-called “radical environmentalists.” Lee’s Chuck Johnson writes about the various Web sites journalists use for help evaluating the truth of political ads. The U.S. Forest Service is relying more heavily on partnerships to accomplish goals with shrinking funds and staffing. Federal land managers have approved the 500-mile route of PrimalQuest, the adventure-endurance race in southwest Montana set to begin late June.
And finally, this Chicago man loves Pabst Blue Ribbon beer so much he had his coffin custom built to resemble a can of the brew. That’s commitment.