Friday, May 10, National Livestock Credit (National) announced its acquisition of Superior. The purchase was made possible by a limited partnership between National and a number of cattlemen from a variety of states. By all accounts, little will change with Superior following the transition but the improved stability offered by the new owners.

A proposed rail line to service coal mines near the southeast Montana community of Colstrip has drawn harsh criticism from landowners along the prospective route, many of whom claim the project is an unacceptable encroachment of their private property rights.

A recent settlement agreement between federal land management agencies and environmental litigators over how to protect a slew of species in northwestern forests was struck down by the 9th Circuit Court, which ruled that the settlement violated federal laws requiring public participation for major rule changes.