Good morning; on this date in 1890 Yosemite National Park was established.
It’s a beautiful autumn day and the new Beacons are on the stands. Our top story this week looks at how cash-strapped local schools are adapting to the rise in autism facing special education programs. Flathead County Commissioners approves a $69 million budget Tuesday morning. Federal agents have killed four wolves after attacks on livestock in the Kalispell area. Cat ski business Valhalla adventures is seeking a permit from the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to offer heli-skiing on Stryker Ridge, outside Olney, this winter. And business columnist Mark Riffey offers advice to small business owners on how to weather the current economic crisis – without needing a bailout.
In state news, conservation groups filed suit in Missoula District Court charging that politics were behind the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision not to place wolverines on the endangered species list. State election officials say Democratic get-out-the-vote efforts have resulted in 36,000 new voters coming on the rolls so far. A University of Montana history professor’s plan to have a local burrito joint sponsor his class was ruled to be in violation of school policy. U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is working to get House Republicans behind another $700 billion bailout for the nation’s financial sector. The Montana GOP has asked for a criminal probe of the relationship between Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s senior counsel, Eric Stern, and an arbiter in an ethics case involving the governor.
And finally, check out this video of a farmer who mowed an image of Muhammed Ali into his corn maze. And have a great day.