Ron Paul had a good week after winning the presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Meanwhile, Flathead County is on the hook for $1 million.
HIGH
BRIAN SCHWEITZER – The Montana governor traveled to Vancouver to sign a historic agreement banning mining and drilling in the Canadian Flathead.
RON PAUL – The Texas Republican congressman wins the presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) with 31 percent. (Sarah Palin received 7 percent.)
AP STUDENTS – A new report shows a record number, 16.6 percent, of Montana high school students are taking advanced placement classes, helping them prepare for college and lower tuition costs.
HORSE RACING – Missoula authorities signed a deal returning the sport to the Western Montana Fair this summer, and racing fans are cheering.
BETWEEN
MEDICAL MARIJUANA – Kalispell joined other Montana cities in imposing a zoning moratorium on any new medical marijuana businesses until it can figure out how and whether to regulate them. These cities must now craft policies that allow legal businesses to operate, while addressing concerns of residents reluctant to have such clinics in their neighborhoods.
LOW
FLATHEAD COUNTY – Commissioners expressed disappointment after a legal settlement put the county on the hook for $1 million for a development on the north shore of Flathead Lake.
JOSEPH STACK – Enraged over taxes, this man crashed his plane into an Austin Internal Revenue Service building, killing himself and another man.
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE – A study found premiums jumped 14.2 percent in 2010, up from a 5.2 percent increase in 2009, forcing 8.5 million Americans to pay more.
CANADA HOCKEY – Narrowly defeating Switzerland and losing to the U.S. team, Canada’s Olympic men’s hockey team is coming up short of expectations in its beloved national pastime.