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Photo courtesy of Rick and Susie Graetz
Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012
produced daily by Shellie Nelson
Page 2
More news from the Rockies
Community
Idaho grandfather sues state over school fees
A former school superintendent in Idaho filed a lawsuit Monday in state district court against Idaho, alleging that fees charged for registration in public schools violates a 1970 Idaho Supreme Court decision that specifically found such fees to be unconstitutional, and the plaintiff is seeking class action status for all schoolchildren and their parents.
Spokane Spokesman-Review; Oct. 2

Farmer: Edmonton agricultural policy won't protect farmland
A farmer who is a member of the Edmonton committee charged with coming up with a food and agricultural policy for the Alberta city said the policy won't protect farmland near the city from development as the policy is directed more at backyard farms and smaller operations.
Edmonton Journal; Oct. 1

Montana city explores options in failed power deal
The Great Falls City Commission met Monday as the Electric City Power Board to discuss its options in the Montana city's failed attempt to move into power sales.
Great Falls Tribune; Oct. 2

EPA to host open house Wednesday on E. Helena redevelopment plan
The public is invited to an open house hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust set for Wednesday to review several proposed redevelopment plans for the former Asarco smelter in East Helena.
Helena Independent Record; Oct. 2

Increased need forces Utah overflow homeless shelter to open early
The Road Home, a homeless shelter in downtown Salt Lake City, usually doesn't open its doors until Nov. 1, but an increased need for shelter for families forced the Utah shelter to open a month early.
Salt Lake Tribune; Oct. 2

Montana League of Cities and Towns to meet in Kalispell this week
Hundreds of people representing dozens of Montana's cities and towns will gather in Kalispell beginning Wednesday for the Montana League of Cities and Towns annual meeting that runs through Friday.
Kalispell Daily InterLake; Oct. 2

Idaho city approves Simplot family's JUMP project
The final plan for the Simplot Family's Jack's Urban Meeting Place in Boise was approved as part of a package of proposals on Monday, clearing the way for the project to apply for a construction permit.
Idaho Statesman; Oct. 2

Environment
Montana, Wyoming governors, industry questions hydraulic-fracturing rules
The federal government's proposed hydraulic fracturing rules are opposed by Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, as well as oil and gas companies.
Billings Gazette; Oct. 2

Colorado national forest hosts open house on energy plan
Today at 3 p.m., White River National Forest personnel will hold an open house in Carbondale to allow the public to review the details of the Colorado forest's proposed oil-and-gas leasing plan.
Aspen Times; Oct. 2

Changes proposed for Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Montana
The primary message at Monday evening's meeting in Great Falls on proposed changes at the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge was that the management plan put in place in 1961 must be updated.
Great Falls Tribune; Oct. 2

Montana Parks seeks members for off-highway vehicle panel
Two new members are needed for the five-member Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee of the Montana State Parks, and officials are urging off-highway vehicle users to apply.
Helena Independent Record; Oct. 2

Politics
Montana U.S. House candidates to debate tonight in Billings
The candidates for Montana's open U.S. House seat, Billings Democrat Kim Gillan and Bozeman Republican Steve Daines, will square off tonight in Billings.
Billings Gazette; Oct. 2

Wyoming senator, others urge president not to tap Strategic Oil Reserve
In a letter to President Obama on Monday, Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and six other members of the Senate Republican Policy Committee urged the president not to tap into oil reserves.
Casper Star-Tribune; Oct. 2

Economy
Food recall from Alberta packing plant expanded again
For the fourth time in as many days, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency expanded its recall of products from XL Foods in Alberta due to E. coli contamination.
Edmonton Journal; Oct. 2

Western states at the bottom of rankings in personal income growth
The Bureau of Economic Analysis' report for the second quarter found that personal income in Idaho grew by just a 0.7 percent during that quarter, ranking the Gem State 48th in the nation in that growth index, with only Wyoming at 0.6 percent, and New Mexico at 0.4 percent, ranked lower.
Idaho Statesman; Oct. 2

Three Idaho businesses share state funds for retraining
The Idaho Department of Labor announced it had awarded three businesses in southern Idaho nearly half a million dollars to train workers, with Amalgamated Sugar getting up to $406,000 to train 78 workers at its plants in Paul and Twin Falls; Burley-based High Desert Milk will get $144,000 to train 20 new workers; and Boise Paper Holdings will get $17,000 to train 15 new workers.
Idaho Statesman (AP); Oct. 2

Southwest Airlines opens its ninth crew base in Denver
Although the Denver crew base for Southwest Airlines pilots and flight attendants is the smallest of the airline's nine such bases, predictions are that it will grow rapidly.
Denver Post; Oct. 2

CenturyLink workers vote to authorize strike in western states
The Communications Workers of America announced Monday that 88 percent of its members in 13 western states voted to go on strike at CenturyLink if a contract is not approved by Saturday night, although Montana workers are not included in that call as they are conducting separate negotiations with the telecommunications company.
Denver Post (AP); Oct. 2





Mountain West News is a program of the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West
at The University of Montana.
"I t places restrictions on 3 million acres of national forests in Wyoming, impacting important aspects of our economy because of the consequences to this state. I believe it was beneficial to take our argument to the U.S. Supreme Court. While I am disappointed in the decision, I am ready to move on continuing to work with the Forest Service about these concerns."


On The Bookshelf
Barbara Theroux gives readers a preview of books to be released this fall

6/12/2013

Mountain West Voices
Hear weekly stories from the Rocky Mountain West as gathered by Clay Scott

6/19/2013:  Tap
6/12/2013:  An Afternoon Cigar
5/29/2013:  Like A Small Family
5/22/2013:  This Little Journey
5/15/2013:  A Long Way


Mountain West News is a program of the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West



at the

The University of Montana