Jay Scott is a former anchor for NBC Radio's "News On The Hour." He has reported news for these networks:
Here are the latest Montana news headlines from KBLL News and The (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)			Congratulations to Jay Scott Winner for Radio "Newscast of the Year" 2008 by the Montana Broadcasters Association

Obama crticizes Plum Creek-Forest Service talks

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Presidential candidate Barack Obama says some talks between Plum Creek Timber and the Bush administration amounted to backroom dealing that threatens public access to hunting and fishing in Montana.

Obama referred to talks in which Plum Creek and the Forest Service discussed easements that allow company use of national forest roads to reach Plum Creek's vast timberlands in Montana. Critics worry the easements will be used to smooth the way for real estate development by Plum Creek.

In its written response to Obama's remarks, Plum Creek says it supports land conservation and public recreation on its lands in Montana.

ELECTION-WESTERN STATES

Western governors say region in play this election

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Western governors say the region's changing demographics could make some of their states unusually competitive in this year's presidential election.

While much of the West is likely to remain reliably Republican, the governors say a chunk of the region -- particularly Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and North Dakota -- is still up for grabs.

About a dozen governors gathered recently in Wyoming for a Western Governors' Association meeting that focused on regional issues of energy development, climate change, water supply and wildlife habitat.

Utah Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman says Republican John McCain of Arizona has proven his understanding of the West's salient issues.

Democratic Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado says Obama is primed to win Colorado's mass of unaffiliated voters, a tactic Ritter says propelled Democrats to numerous state offices in recent years.

GOVERNOR-ENERGY

Governor asks commissions to save energy

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Governor Schweitzer is asking state boards and commissions to save energy by reducing travel.

The governor says the boards can meet more often by teleconference or Web conferencing. He says this will reduce fuel use and travel expenses.

maintenance on the Capital grounds, purchased more efficient cars for the state fleet, and looked at other ideas as part of the initiative.

The executive order is part of Schweitzer's 20X10 energy initiative that directs state government agencies to reduce their energy consumption by 20 percent by 2010.

The state has rolled out an electric truck for

PLANE CRASH

2 hurt in plane crash near Kalispell

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — Two men suffered minor injuries when their small plane crashed near Kalispell.

The plane went down just after 3 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday) in a corral about a quarter-mile southwest of the Kalispell City Airport.

Emergency personnel at the scene said both men onboard the plane were conscious. The men were transported to the Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

The cause of the wreck is under investigation. However, a witness told KAJ-TV that she saw one of the wings fall off the plane just before it crashed.

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Information from: The Daily Inter Lake, http://www.dailyinterlake.com

Information from: Angela Monroe/KAJ-TV, http://www.kaj18.com

HOMELESS BEATING

Homeless man beaten in Missoula

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A 61-year-old homeless man was hospitalized in fair condition in Missoula after being severely beaten over the weekend.

Court records say witnesses saw 28-year-old Donald Thompson punch, kick and hit Jonathan Hames' head against the curb late Saturday afternoon. Witnesses say Hames was also hit in the face with a bicycle.

Thompson was charged with felony aggravated assault and his bail was set at $250,000.

Hames was initially declared dead after the assault, but medics were able to revive him. His left eye orbit was crushed and the left side of his face fractured.

Saturday afternoon, two other transients were arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly punching Thompson repeatedly.

Police Sgt. Scott Hoffman did not know the motive for the assaults, but said everyone involved was extremely intoxicated.

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Information from: Irina Cates, KPAX-TV, www.kpax.com

Information from: Missoulian, www.missoulian.com

BILLINGS ARSON

Billings police investigating fires

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Two men have been arrested after a series of fires were set in a two-block area on the south side of Billings.

The fires early yesterday (Tuesday) destroyed a shed and damaged a house and three vehicles.

Twenty-year-old Sergio Nino is jailed on suspicion of four counts of felony arson, misdemeanor arson and criminal mischief while 22-year-old Hector Gonzales is being held on suspicion of four counts of felony arson by accountability and obstructing a police officer.

Firefighters putting out the fire in the house noticed several marijuana plants and alerted police.

Sergeant Kevin Iffland says detectives discovered 50 marijuana plants and equipment in the unoccupied house. A suspect is being questioned about the grow operation, but no one has been arrested.

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Information from: The Billings Gazette, www.billingsgazette.net

Information from: KTVQ-TV, www.ktvq.com

CEMETERY VASES STOLEN

Man charged with stealing cemetery vases

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — A 21-year-old Great Falls man is accused of stealing brass vases from a cemetery and selling them to metal recycling facilities.

Chase Rummell was charged Monday with felony theft and misdemeanor desecration of a cemetery.

Court records say a man brought five vases to Steel Etc. and sold them for cash. An employee at the facility recognized the man and reported the suspicious sale to police.

Cascade County deputies checked area cemeteries and discovered that 23 brass vases were missing from the Manchester Cemetery.

The remaining brass vases were found at another recycling facility.

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Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com

MISSOURI RIVER-RECORD

Reservoir releases at record low on Missouri River

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Downstream flooding has lead to a record-low amount of water flowing from upper Missouri River dams.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it drastically reduced the amount of water let out of its reservoirs in June to help reduce river stages in downstream states.

Water releases averaged a record low rate of 12,000 cubic feet per second in June. That's half the normal amount, and significantly less than the previous record of 16,700 cubic feet per second set in June 1984.

The reduced water releases, combined with normal snow melting and rain in the upper Missouri Basin, have caused reservoirs to rise 9 to 12 feet since April.

Even so, the corps says the amount of water in the reservoirs remains lower than normal.