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Tuesday: Plum Creek Layoffs, Session Wrap, No Swine Flu

By Beacon Staff

Good morning. On the Beacon today, officials from Plum Creek Timber Co. announced plans Monday to permanently close its Pablo sawmill and said the fate of sawmills in Columbia Falls and Evergreen is uncertain. On the same day, Plum Creek announced its first-quarter profits grew four-fold to $157 million. Former Flathead High star Brock Osweiler is third on the depth chart for quarterback at Arizona State University. Kalispell’s Hockaday museum has begun an ambitious campaign to expand and improve.

In state news, things are getting ugly in the Grace trial, with the judge dismissing charges against one defendant. No swine flu in Montana yet but officials are preparing and urging people to remain calm. In the Legislature, lawmakers are increasing penalties on cattle rustlers. Lawmakers have a budget compromise and are scheduled to wrap up work today. A bill to deal with mitigating property reappraisal values has barely made it to the House for a vote, which will be decided today. And a ban on using Children’s Health Insurance Funds for contraception remains a part of the funding for the program.