Good morning; on the Beacon today, Myers looks at how the arts impacts the Flathead economy. Kalispell City Council will consider Monday a plan to set up a community land trust to provide some affordable housing. Business people in Flathead’s tourism industry believe Glacier Park will continue to draw visitors from out-of-state to the valley this summer. Dave Skinner breaks down some of the crime statistics on National Park Service land as it relates to the debate over concealed weapons in parks. And Warren Miller recounts a film shoot in the desert with an angry ranger and no permits.
State lawmakers have picked 16 topics to study in advance of the next Legislature. Expansion of the MSU Bobcat Stadium has been put on hold for at least a year due to the recession. The Missoulian’s Michael Jamison interviews the Kalispell man opposed to June’s Gay Pride Parade. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, along with Sen. Jon Tester and Gov. Brian Schweitzer discussed problems on Montana’s reservations with tribal leaders yesterday. And a U.S. defense contractor will test how fast a battery can store and release power generated by a wind turbine in Cascade County, which could lead to alternative energy advances.