Good morning; on the Beacon today, in what is likely to be a recurring theme in Democrats’ attacks on Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg as he fights for reelection next year, his opponents say the five-term Republican consistently and hypocritically takes credit in his home state for benefits and projects funded by legislation he voted against in the House. The state Supreme Court unanimously upheld the Flathead District Court’s ruling that Whitefish violated a couple’s right to equal protection under the law after the city denied the couple’s building exemption permit. With 100 businesses signed up for booths at the upcoming Women’s Expo, a fundraiser for the Violence Free Crisis Line and its affiliated Abbie Shelter will hopefully provide a much-needed boost to the financially strapped agency. Flathead County commissioners voted last week to designate Flathead County as a “recovery zone” for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, making the county eligible for federal recovery bonds. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has captured an albino black bear near Olney and moved it to Glacier National Park. And Kitchen Guy Jim Gray writes up an amazing dessert you can make for breakfast.
Rehberg spoke Saturday at Montana State University Billings before about 500 people, saying he agrees with about 80 percent of the House health care bill.
Montana is reporting that federal stimulus money funneled through the state has so far resulted in more than 4,100 jobs created or saved by the cash infusion, and that most of them came in education and government. Aaron Mason ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns to lead Montana State to a 41-10 win in a Big Sky Conference game Saturday. Hundreds marched in Bozeman over the weekend in support of peace and tolerance as a reaction to the White Supremacist rallies staged there recently. Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s recommendation that one firm get $70 million in federal stimulus funds to expand high-speed Internet service is being blasted by Montana telephone companies and regulators, who say the project won’t extend new service to underserved areas. Yellowstone National Park’s scientific research on wolves got caught in the crossfire of Montana’s inaugural wolf season when hunters killed two collared wolves just north of the park earlier this month.