Harsh winter sole hope for containing insect that has affected millions of acres—and is moving east

New York Times Nov 18, 08 1:48 PM CST
(Newser)
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Peanut-sized bark beetles have drilled into and killed millions of acres of green pines from New Mexico to British Columbia, threatening the Rockies’ iconic lodgepoles with extinction, reports the New York Times . With only costly and temporary fixes available, preservationists are hoping for an atypically frigid winter to contain the pests, which are moving steadily eastward.
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governors races
They take 7 of 11 governor contests

Associated Press Nov 5, 08 1:00 AM CST
(Newser)
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Democrats captured a Republican governor's seat last in Missouri, where state Attorney General Jay Nixon defeated Rep. Kenny Hulshof, AP reports. And in the night's closest races, Democrats Bev Purdue won in North Carolina and Christine Gregoire beat her opponent in Washington. With all 11 races in, Democrats now control 29 statehouses, up one from the start of the night. The Dem tally came close to being higher: Incumbent Republican Mitch Daniels held off a tough challenge from Jill Long Thompson in Indiana.
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Eleven states in play, four are close

MarketWatch Nov 4, 08 2:44 AM CST
(Newser)
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Eleven states are choosing governors in a number of tight races today, with both Democrats and Republicans already crowing about victory. The closest contests are in Washington and North Carolina, reports MarketWatch. Neither state has elected a Republican in 20 years, but polls show candidates are neck-and-neck in both states. Three states—Delaware, North Carolina and Missouri—feature new candidates from both parties because incumbents aren't running.
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Poll shows first-time lead for Democrat
KULR-8 (Montana) Oct 24, 08 8:02 AM CDT
(Newser)
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For the first time, Barack Obama is leading John McCain in Montana, 44% to 40%, a poll suggests. Obama is seen as stronger on the economy by 48% to McCain’s 42%, though voters prefer McCain on foreign policy, 52% to 42%. Obama’s overall lead is within the MSU-Billings poll’s margin of error, KULR-8 TV reports.
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McCain, Obama declare their love for the outdoors in nature mag

Chicago Tribune Sep 17, 08 5:05 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Barack Obama and John McCain will talk fishing and hunting in the October issue of Field & Stream magazine. (Coincidentally or not, the cover feature implores readers to “Find Your Bull,” the Swamp notes.) In the interview, both candidates profess to be big fans of the outdoors, with McCain recalling fishing and hiking in Arizona, Obama describing spearfishing in Hawaii.
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85-year-old wants a British-style parliament

New York Times Aug 12, 08 7:56 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Montana senator Max Baucus looks certain to win reelection this November, writes the New York Times , but his Republican challenger is gaining some attention for his unorthodox proposals. Bob Kelleher, 85, wants to nationalize oil companies, end the Iraq war to fund cancer research—and, most shockingly, eliminate the separation of powers and introduce a British-style parliament. "How did he win?" a Baucus spokesman wondered.
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Social service delivery, rides for elderly hit by skyrocketing prices

Reznet News Jun 17, 08 2:26 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Higher gas prices are forcing Native American tribal governments to cut back on transportation services, reports Reznet News. The Rosebud Sioux tribe provides its police, education and social services departments with transportation, as well as rides for the elderly and trips to medical appointments. But with coffers running on empty, the South Dakota tribe is changing its driving practices, reallocating funding—and may be forced to shelve programs entirely.
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Campaign turns to Clinton supporters in new hirings

New York Times Jun 8, 08 9:10 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Barack Obama’s campaign will hit GOP-dominated states as the candidate looks toward November, starting tomorrow with North Carolina, the New York Times reports. Obama hopes he can turn those states blue with the help of get-out-the-vote operations launched during the primaries—and aims to use his financial heft to compete in states that haven't voted Democratic in decades.
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The Treasure State may crown Obama

Politico Jun 3, 08 11:49 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Montana is shaping up to be a slam dunk for Barack Obama and a chance to head into the general election with some momentum, according to recent polls. But a surprise win by Hillary Clinton could give her the credibility she needs to sway superdelegates, writes Politico . Five things to watch: East vs. West: Clinton may be edging Obama out in the more rural east, and “if she starts cutting into his margins in the western part of the state, it could be closer,” says a pollster.
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Montana leads fight against unfunded federal law

Christian Science Monitor Mar 30, 08 4:15 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Washington is locked in a standoff with states over REAL ID, an anti-terror law that aims to make driver's licenses harder to dupe or obtain. But no states are near complying and Montana, New Hampshire, and Maine have all balked at the unfunded plan. What's more, REAL ID is just one of the federal mandates that have irked states in recent years, the Christian Science Monitor reports.
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Animal no longer under federal protection in northern Rockies

Associated Press Mar 29, 08 9:35 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Hunters in the northern Rockies will soon take aim at a rare target—the gray wolf. The animal lost its protected species status in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming yesterday, and wildlife agencies in the region are looking to reduce the population by granting hunting licenses for the first time since 1973. An estimated 1,500 gray wolves now roam the region.
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'Unselling the product' leads to 70% drop among adults, 45% in teens

Christian Science Monitor Mar 27, 08 1:23 PM CDT
(Newser)
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In 2005, Montana had the fifth-worst methamphetamine prob