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Thursday: Cherry Market, Homicide Charge, First Wolf Kill

By Beacon Staff

Good morning; on the Beacon today, a decision made four years ago in the Legislature will soon kick in across the state as Montana bars, restaurants and casinos go smoke-free on Oct. 1. Flathead’s famed cherry-growers are struggling with how to make their crop profitable, and whether they should switch to different cherries or just sell off their land. A 16-year-old Kalispell girl has been charged with two counts of deliberate homicide in a fatal crash that killed a pregnant woman and her son last March. Flathead County Commissioners voted 2-1 to approve a zoning change that has stirred controversy in Bigfork for more than than two years. And Dave Skinner digs into the resignation of White House staffer Van Jones.

State wildlife officials have received the first report of a wolf killed in the hunting season that began Tuesday, and occurred just north of Yellowstone National Park. Facing criticism for her handling of federal stimulus money, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Wednesday that she would not start any new border construction projects – which includes border stations in Montana. U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg compliments U.S. Sen. Max Baucus for his sweeping health care proposal – but doesn’t go so far as to say he will support it. In a meeting over a 121-mile coal railroad in southeastern Montana with coal executives, Gov. Brian Schweitzer balked at what he saw as selling the coal too cheaply. The executive director of Two Rivers Authority has been placed on paid leave just days after the economic development agency announced a new contract that could fill its empty jail in Hardin.