State V. Myran

Missoulian: Montana Supreme Court upholds Myran homicide conviction

State V. Myran

“THE COURT: State’s 7 is the intoxication instruction. The intoxicated condition is not a defense; a person is still criminally responsible for his conduct. Mr. Ohman, is there any record you want to make?”

Trapping / Unemployment / Guantánamo Detainees / Green Energy for Pentagon

Missoulian: FWP: Dogs must be on leash at fishing site

Trappers And Pet Owners Can Take Precautions To Avoid Accidental Dog Capture 

“With standard furbearer seasons set to begin in Montana on Saturday, and wolf trapping set to begin on Dec. 15, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds pet owners to be mindful that there could be trapping activity in the woods.”

Missoulian: Unemployment Rates for US cities in the West

Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment Summary 

“Unemployment rates were lower in October than a year earlier in 329 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 37 areas, and unchanged in 6 areas, the  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Three areas recorded jobless  rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 41 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-eight metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 80 reported decreases, and 4 had no change. The national unemployment rate in October was 7.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.5 percent a year earlier.”

Missoulian: Montana unemployment insurance rates going down

Montana Employers will see a Decrease in Their 2013 Unemployment Insurance Rates

(Helena, MT) The Department of Labor and Industry announced today that the Unemployment Insurance Contribution Rate Schedule will be adjusted from schedule 7 to schedule 6, resulting in a decrease in many Montana employer’s contribution rates for 2013. “This is good news for Montana employers, both large and small, as we continue our economic recovery in the state”, said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. “UI benefits provide a critical financial safety net for Montana’s unemployed workers, and as more Montanans return to work the demand for those benefits decreases, in turn lowering the rate schedule.”

Missoulian: Study: US jails could handle Guantanamo detainees 

Facilities and Factors for Consideration If Detainees Were Brought to the United States 

“As of November 2012, the Department of Defense (DOD) held 166 detainees in five separate facilities in conditions ranging from communal living to maximum security segregated cells that limit detainee interaction. In addition, DOD maintains facilities and infrastructure dedicated to detention support operations. For example, DOD operates an extensive information-technology infrastructure, conducts operations to support the protection of military personnel, and performs other missions at Guantánamo Bay such as securing two courthouses used for military commissions.”

Missoulian: Senate gives green light to Pentagon greenenergy

S.3254: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013

SEC. 313. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR PROCUREMENT OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL.

    (a) Limitation- Except as provided in subsection (b), none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available during fiscal year 2013 for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended for the production or sole purchase of an alternative fuel if the cost of producing or purchasing the alternative fuel exceeds the cost of producing or purchasing a traditional fossil fuel that would be used for the same purpose as the alternative fuel.

    (b) Exception- Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense may purchase such limited quantities of alternative fuels as are necessary to complete engine or fleet certification for 50/50 blends. In such instances, the Secretary shall purchase such alternative fuel using amounts authorized for research, development, test, and evaluation using competitive procedures and shall ensure the best purchase price for the fuel.

BP / UN Treaty on Persons with Disabilities

Missoulian: BP suspended from new US gov't contracts

BP Temporarily Suspended from New Contracts with the Federal Government 

“For the Deepwater Horizon investigation, EPA was designated as the lead agency for suspension and debarment actions. Federal executive branch agencies take these actions to ensure the integrity of Federal programs by conducting business only with responsible individuals or companies. Suspensions are a standard practice when a responsibility question is raised by action in a criminal case.”

Missoulian: Senate takes up UN disability treaty

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 

EXECUTIVE SESSION--MOTION TO PROCEED (Senate - November 27,2012) 

“ As you may know, tomorrow the Senate will vote on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, CRPD. Unfortunately, I am currently at Walter Reed and so cannot call you personally, but wanted to connect with you via e-mail on this time sensitive matter and ask for your help. I hope you will support this important treaty.

   The CRPD is the first international treaty to address disability rights globally. It is an opportunity to advance the great American tradition of supporting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities on a global basis. Ratification of the CRPD will improve fiscal, technological, and communication access outside the United States, thereby helping to ensure that Americans--particularly many thousands of disabled American veterans--have equal opportunities to live, work, and travel abroad. It will also create a new global market for accessibility goods.”- Bob Dole

Poaching

Missoulian: FWP asks for help finding poachers amid wake of carcasses, orphans

Together, we can stop poachers.
“Poaching is a growing problem, one that occurs statewide and year-round. Poachers take some of Montana's biggest and best game specimens, robbing law-abiding citizens of opportunities to see and legally harvest those animals.”

Glacier Park stonefly

Missoulian: Glacier Park stonefly could be first specieslisted as endangered by climate change

Meltwater Lednian Stonefly - Lednia tumana 

“Currently at risk of becoming extinct due to the melting of the glaciers in Glacier National Park, which it depends on for it's alpine snow-melt stream habitat--It has been listed as a "candidate species" for Endangered Species Act in 2011.”

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-MonthFinding on a Petition To List the Bearmouth Mountainsnail, Byrne ResortMountainsnail, and Meltwater Lednian Stonefly as Endangered or Threatened

“We find that listing of the meltwater lednian stonefly is warranted. However, currently listing of the meltwater lednian stonefly is precluded by higher priority actions to amend the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Upon publication of this 12-month petition finding, we will add the meltwater lednian stonefly to our candidate species list. We will develop a proposed rule to list the meltwater lednian stonefly as our priorities allow. We will make any determination on critical habitat during development of the proposed listing rule. During any interim period, we will address the status of the candidate taxon through our annual Candidate Notice of Review (CNOR).”