Good morning; on the Beacon today, FWP’s Aquatic Nuisance Species program gave a presentation to a roomful of fellow aquatic experts describing high priority invasive species and what can be done to either prevent or mitigate them. Kalispell residents are now eligible for a discount of 20 percent off the price of commonly prescribed drugs, through a new program offered by the city. The Glacier National Park Fund has set a $3.5 million fundraising goal for upgrades and restoration. A 66-year-old Evergreen woman faces aggravated animal cruelty charges after county officials seized 25 dogs living in cramped, filthy quarters.
The Bozeman City Commission will hire an investigator to look into how former job candidates’ personal information affected hiring. Gov. Brian Schweitzer has picked Department of Labor lead counsel Vivian Hammill, 54, to be his new chief of staff. U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., voted against the climate change legislation that recently passed the House, but Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester aren’t saying how they will vote. Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices has ruled that a conservative group that bankrolled a trio of ballot measures in 2006 must reveal its financial donors. Tester’s mother, Helen, passed away Saturday of natural causes. The Montana Land Board holds hearings this week on whether to lease land near Ashland containing 600 million tons of coal. And Dennis McDonald, congressional candidate and chair of the state Dems, comes out in favor of single-payer health care.