Oil and gas companies are on a high, while NBC is suffering a low, in our weekly index of what’s up, down and in between.
HIGH
KEVIN GARTLAND – The new head of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce appears well-prepared to continue the tradition of business leadership there.
WILDCATS – As they enter a busy league schedule, undefeated Columbia Falls is the top-ranked team in Class A boys basketball.
OIL AND GAS COMPANIES – Five firms relinquished their oil and gas leases on 29,000 acres south of Glacier Park and along the Rocky Mountain Front.
BRIAN SCHWEITZER – The governor continues to receive accolades, particularly from conservatives, for his handling of the declining state budget.
BETWEEN
MASSACHUSETTS – The outcome of the special Senate election to fill the seat of the late Ted Kennedy in this bluest of states, regardless of the winner, will reveal much about the political mood of the country and President Barack Obama’s popularity, as well as the future of the health care bill.
LOW
HAITI – The impoverished nation is struggling to dig out and assess casualties from a devastating earthquake.
WALL STREET – The chiefs of banks receiving more than $100 billion in taxpayer assistance showed little contrition or even comprehension of the disaster they caused when testifying before an investigative panel last week.
WOLVES – The rate of wolf attacks on Montana livestock spiked sharply in 2009 to one per day, intensifying debate over management of the predator.
NBC – With it looking like Conan O’Brien will leave and Jay Leno returning to his old timeslot, this last-place network and its sinking reputation is the clear loser of this mix-up.