We’re high on new Griz football coach Robin Pflugard and low on air travel in our weekly news index of what’s up, down and in between…
HIGH
ROBIN PFLUGRAD – The former Griz wide receivers coach has some big shoes to fill as he steps into the top spot, replacing Bobby Hauck as head coach.
639th QUARTERMASTER CO. – Arriving stateside from a deployment in Iraq last week, the soldiers in this unit from the Libby and Kalispell areas didn’t make it back in time for Christmas, but families are rejoicing anyway.
WISHER’S AUTO RECYCLING – These folks donated a minivan for Christmas to a family in need.
JOBLESS CLAIMS – The number of laid-off workers seeking benefits dropped off dramatically. Could actual job growth be in the next report?
BETWEEN
DENNY REHBERG – Regarding Sen. Jon Tester’s wilderness and logging bill, the Republican Congressman has successfully shifted the spotlight to himself over whether he supports the legislation as he holds a series of listening sessions. But will Rehberg use these sessions to help improve the bill, and then support it, or try to score political points?
LOW
MAX BAUCUS – Another tough week for Montana’s senior senator has him defending himself against nasty, anonymous attacks that he was drunk during a health care speech.
AIR TRAVEL – After a foiled terror attempt and a security breach at Newark, delays and beefed-up security screenings look to make air travel more tedious.
PONZI SCHEMES – With the infamous Bernie Madoff leading the way, 2009 saw the number of these scams more than quadruple over 2008.
YEMEN – With foreign embassies closing due to threats, and following a group there taking credit for the botched “Underwear Bomber” attack, this small, unstable nation is the new hotbed du jour of global terrorism.