Good morning; on the Beacon this morning, a group of talented high school runners are continuing the Flathead Valley’s storied long-distance running tradition again this year. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. announced a $6 million grant yesterday from the Department of Health and Human Services to provide health care for Libby residents stricken with asbestos-related diseases. A petition to stop an upcoming gay pride parade was submitted to Kalispell City Council and dominated the public comment period at its most recent meeting. And five people who funneled methamphetamine from Spokane, Wash., to northwestern Montana have pleaded guilty to federal narcotics charges.
In other news, an environmental group has released a report finding U.S. Bureau of Land Management environmental inspections have not kept pace with oil and natural gas development in five energy-rich Western states. A man convicted of his 11th drunken driving offense has officials questioning how to keep offenders off road. And Montanans will get a chance next week to sound off on health care reform, at town meetings sponsored by the U.S. senator who’s a national point man on the issue: Montana Sen. Max Baucus.
Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone! Be safe and have fun.