Missoula Rape Response/ Montana Bills/ FBI Hair Analysis

Missoulian: DOJ: Missoula police make 'tremendous' progress on rape response
United States Attorney Michael W. Cotter Delivers Remarks on the Missoula Police Department's Full Compliance with Agreement
“It goes without saying that rape is a horribly violent crime with devastating consequences to the victim. Whether the rape is committed by an acquaintance or stranger, victims find themselves in a very, very dark place. When the Department of Justice demonstrated that gender bias was undermining Missoula’s law enforcement response to sexual assault, both the Missoula Police and University of Montana immediately agreed to a broad set of fundamental changes that began to dramatically improve their ability to protect victims of sexual assault.  These reforms have made the Missoula Police Department more accountable, transparent and credible.  With accountability, transparency and credibility comes community trust. Today, the Missoula Police Department is stronger and trusted.  Indeed, Missoula is a model for every town in this nation to emulate.”

Head of Civil Rights Division Vanita Gupta Delivers Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Missoula Police Department's Full Compliance with Justice Department Agreement Over Response to Reports of Sexual Assault

Justice Department Announces Missoula Police Department Has Fully Implemented Agreement to Improve Response to Reports of Sexual Assault

Missoulian: Bullock vetoes 53 bills this year, signed 431
Bills Vetoed by Governor
Bills Signed by Governor

Missoulian: FBI hair analysis problems reveal limits of forensic science
FBI/DOJ Microscopic Hair Comparison Analysis Review
“The FBI, in conjunction with the Department of Justice (DOJ), is engaged in a review of scientific testimony provided by FBI Laboratory examiners in cases involving microscopic hair comparisons.

The purpose of the review is to ensure that FBI Laboratory examiner testimony regarding microscopic hair comparison analysis met accepted scientific standards. In cases in which those standards were not met, remedial action may be taken if appropriate.”

US Human Rights/ Happy Birthday Glacier National Park

Missoulian: US defends record before top UN human rights body

United Nations Human Rights

National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21*

Report of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises

Happy 105^th birthday Glacier National Park
History & Culture

Justice Dept. Investigates Baltimore/ Iran Legislation/ VE Day

Missoulian: Justice Dept. launches investigation of Baltimore police

Justice Department Opens Pattern or Practice Investigation into the Baltimore Police Department
“During the course of the investigation, the Justice Department will consider all relevant information, particularly the efforts that BPD has undertaken to ensure compliance with federal law, and the experiences and views of the community.  The Justice Department has taken similar steps involving a variety of state and local law enforcement agencies, both large and small, in jurisdictions throughout the United States.  These investigations have in many instances resulted in comprehensive, court-overseen agreements to fundamentally change the law enforcement agency’s police practices.”

Missoulian: Iran Legislation is win-win for GOP, Obama
H.R.1191: A bill to provide for congressional review and oversight of agreements relating to Iran's nuclear program, and for other purposes.

Missoulian: Missoula woman recalls 'Rosie the Riveter' days

V-E Day Marked End of Long Road for World War II Troops

Weekly Address: Honoring the 70th Anniversary of VE Day

Two Down, One to Go: Preparing Soldiers for More War-Video
“After the Allied victory was declared against Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945 (a date known to history as V-E Day), US military officials presented troops with Two Down, One to Go, a film that serves as both Q+A session and pep talk to prepare them to shift their attention to Japan.”

NSA Can't Collect Phone Records

Missoulian: US appeals court: NSA phone record collection is illegal

ACLU v. Clapper

License-plate Renewal/ VE Day/ Income Tax Veto

Missoulian: Bullock vetoes bill lengthening vehicle license-plate renewal
HB 628: Revise the replacement schedule for regular license plates

Missoulian: Countdown to V-E Day: May 6, 1945

VE Day- Library of Congress
“Eleven months after Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, the German Army, pushed back to the streets of Berlin, surrendered. The relief that all American soldiers felt was tempered by the realization that the war wasn’t yet won. Some would ship out to the Pacific Theater, though few of them saw any action. Others stayed behind as occupiers or, in a few instances, participants in the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials.”

Missoulian: Gov. Bullock vetoes bill to simplify income taxes
SB 171: Generally revise taxation of income, including the corporate income tax

New Speed Limit/ Libby Asbestos

Missoulian: New law will increase some highway speed limits to 80 mph
SB 375: Revise certain highway speed limits

Missoulian: Final EPA plan would leave some asbestos in Montana town
EPA Announces Proposed Plan for Cleanup
Proposed Plan for Libby Asbestos Site Cleanup
“The proposed plan addresses five of eight areas at the Site. Remedial action has already been completed at Operable Unit 1 (the former Export Plant, now Riverfront Park in Libby) and Operable Unit 2 (former Screening Plant). Operable Unit 3 (the former Libby vermiculite mine and forested areas) will be addressed in a separate proposed plan. Investigation and cleanup are being conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in consultation with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) under the federal Superfund law.

Because long-term management tools, otherwise known as institutional controls, are instrumental to the cleanup, we have divided this document into three sections. Part One provides background and explains alternatives considered for the construction portion of the remedy. Part Two explains why waste will remain at the site and provides additional information about institutional controls. Part Three summarizes EPA's and the state’s preferred remedial alternative.”

Bankruptcy Appeals/ Sex Change Surgery

Missoulian: High court: Debtors must wait to appeal payment plan denial
Bullard v. Blue Hills Bank
“After filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, petitioner Bullard submitted a proposed repayment plan to the Bankruptcy Court. Respondent Blue Hills Bank, Bullard’s mortgage lender, objected to the plan’s treatment of its claim. The Bankruptcy Court sustained the Bank’s objection and declined to confirm the plan. Bullard appealed to the First Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (BAP).”

  Missoulian: Supreme Court rejects inmate's appeal for sex-change surgery
Kosilek v. Spencer
“This case involves important issues that arise under the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. We are asked to determine whether the district court erred in concluding that the Massachusetts Department of Correction ("DOC") has violated the Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause of the Eighth Amendment by providing allegedly inadequate medical care to prisoner Michelle Kosilek ("Kosilek"). More precisely, we are faced with the question whether the DOC's choice of a particular medical treatment is constitutionally inadequate, such that the district court acts within its power to issue an injunction requiring provision of an alternative treatment -- a treatment which would give rise to new concerns related to safety and prison security.”