Government Shutdown Prevented / Fires

Missoulian: Shutdown averted but 'fiscal cliff' awaits 

H.J.RES.117: Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 

CRS Summery:  “Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 - Makes continuing appropriations for FY2013.

Appropriates amounts for continuing operations, projects, or activities which were conducted in FY2012 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority were made available in:

·         the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (division A of P.L. 112-55), except for appropriations designated by Congress for disaster relief in such Act

·         the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (division B of P.L. 112-55), except for appropriations designated by Congress for disaster relief under the heading "Department of Commerce--Economic Development Administration--Economic Development Assistance Programs" in such Act;

·         the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2012 (division A of P.L. 112-74);….”

Missoulian:  Fire westof Hamilton may see driest weather of season Friday

Montana Fire Information 

Montana Air Today

More Fires / Price Fixing Computer Screens

Missoulian: Some residents in Hamilton fire evacuation zonecan return home  

Montana Fire Information 

Sawtooth Fire Evening Update 09-12-2012
“A re-entry provision was made by Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman this afternoon after conferring with Sawtooth I C Tom Heintz. It is important to realize that there is still a threat to the area West of Hamilton. We have been receiving comments that this fire has "done its thing". The fire and the history of fire in the Bitterroots do not support that as a fact. There is still fire spread on both the North and South perimeters of this fire. Please honor the fact that we remain in a Stage 1 evacuation over much of the residential area near the fire. Stage 2 evacuation remains in place for those neighborhoods where the fire threat has closer proximity.”

Montana Fire Map

 

Missoulian: Feds demand LCD maker pay $1 billion 

United States v. AU Optronics Corporation…
“The government recommends that the Court sentence AU Optronics Corporation (“AUO”) to pay a $1 billion fine and its top executives, H.B. Chen and Hui Hsiung, to serve ten years in prison and pay $1 million fines. These defendants and AUO’s subsidiary, AU Optronics Corporation America (“AUOA”), were central figures in the most serious price-fixing cartel ever prosecuted by the United States. Only these sentences could possibly reflect the seriousness of this offense or provide adequate deterrence. The correctly and conservatively calculated Sentencing Guidelines (“Guidelines”) ranges—a corporate fine of $936 million to $1.872 billion and prison terms from 121 to 151 months—suggest that these sentences are lenient ones for the offense in this case.”

Medical Marijuana Ruling / Embassy Attacks

Missoulian:  Montana Supreme Court: No constitutional right to medical marijuana

Montana Cannabis v. State

“In 2004, Montana voters approved the use of medical marijuana through the passage of I-148, the Medical Marijuana Act. The 2004 Medical Marijuana Act left in place those provisions in the Montana criminal code that make it illegal to cultivate, possess, distribute or use marijuana, while simultaneously protecting authorized users of medical marijuana from being prosecuted.”

Missoulian:  Obama to speak about attack that killed US envoy

Secretary of State- Statement on the Death of American Personnel in Benghazi, Libya 

“All the Americans we lost in yesterday’s attacks made the ultimate sacrifice. We condemn this vicious and violent attack that took their lives, which they had committed to helping the Libyan people reach for a better future.”

Statement by the President on the Attack in Benghazi

“I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.”

9/11 Remembered / Smoke/ Fire Weather

 

Missoulian: Obamasobserve 9/11 anniversary moment of silence 

 

PresidentialProclamation -- Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2012 
“On September 11, 2001, a bright autumn day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. Thousands of innocent men, women, and children perished when mighty towers collapsed in the heart of New York City and wreckage burned in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. They were family and friends, service members and first responders -- and the tragedy of their loss left pain that will never fade and scars our country will never forget.” 

 

9/11Commemorations and Memorials

Remembrance and Reflection 
“To commemorate the tenth anniversary of September 11, the National Museum of American History provided visitors with a close-up view of more than 50 objects recovered from the three sites attacked that fateful day—New York, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pa.—as well as recent acquisitions that relate to how American lives have changed since then” 

 

9/11 CommissionReport 

 

Missoulian:  Smoke expected to settle back into Missoula area 

Today’s Air 

“Health effect categories are based on 24-hour average particulate levels. DEQ has adapted these categories to shorter time periods to provide more immediate advice. The health effects category ratings for the 1-hour, 8-hour, and 24-hour time periods may be different because prolonged exposure to elevated air pollution can worsen health impacts. DEQ recommends consideration of exposure time when planning outdoor activities during periods of elevated air pollution.”

Missoulian: Weather could stoke wildfires on Lolo,Flathead forests

Third Day of Continual Red Flag Weather Tests Containment

“Although the area is currently experiencing cooler weather, firefighters still anticipate a challenge. "We're still under a Red Flag warning for today with high winds and low relative humidity, ... a column of smoke is likely to be visible in the local area today." said National Weather Service Incident Meteorologist, Ken Simosko.”

 Fire Weather

Salazar Settlement / Red Flag Warning / Katyn Forest Massacre

Missoulian: $75M to be distributed to Confederated Salishand Kootenai tribal members Wednesday

Secretary Salazar and Attorney General Holder Announce $1Billion Settlement of Tribal Trust Accounting and Management Lawsuits Filed byMore Than 40 Tribes

“These settlements resolve claims dating back more than 100 years and will bring to an end protracted litigation that has burdened both the plaintiffs and the United States. Ending these long-running disputes about the United States’ management of trust funds and non-monetary trust resources will allow the United States and the tribes to move beyond the distrust exacerbated by years of litigation. These settlement agreements represent a significant milestone in the improvement of the United States’ relationship with Indian tribes.”

Missoulian: Red flag warning in effect for western Montana

Fire Weather News

Missoulian: AP Exclusive: Memos show US hushed up Sovietcrime

Records Relating to the Katyn Forest Massacre at theNational Archives

“Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union each invaded Poland in September of 1939, having divided the country into separate spheres of influence under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. While the Germans began a massacre of Jews and Poles in western occupied Poland, the Red Army arrested and imprisoned thousands of Polish military officers, policemen, and intelligentsia during their occupation of eastern Poland. Prisoners of war and civilian internees captured by the Soviets were placed in several camps in the western USSR, run by the Soviet People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs, or NKVD, a predecessor organization to the modern FSB-camps including Kozielsk, Ostashkov, and Starobielsk”.