Good morning; on the Beacon today, a new tax hike on tobacco has a wave of Montanans trying to kick the habit. Our feature story for the Beacon Business Monthly looks at how the region’s transportation infrastructure will be affected in the coming year, particularly by stimulus dollars. A government memo identifying public heath concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency’s asbestos cleanup in Libby has been released after a group filed a Freedom of Information Act Request. And in the federal trial against W.R Grace over Libby asbestos contamination, the judge has dismissed another juror. And Dave Skinner writes about Montanans’ lust for pork – the legislative kind.
A Missoula health official said it’s likely Montana will see a case of swine flu sometime soon. A piece of legislation bucking federal gun regulation for firearms manufactured and sold in Montana is almost certain to trigger a Supreme Court case. A Bozeman man is charged with attempted murder after pushing a woman out of a second story window. Gov. Brian Schweitzer has already vetoed six bills, most of which were carried by Republicans. In the trial over the bankruptcy of the Yellowstone Club, Tim Blixseth asserted he did nothing wrong with a $375 million loan.