PM Headlines — 1.27.11

Horses gather around hay dropped from a helicopter hauling hay to horses on the former Leachman Cattle Company ranch east of Billings earlier today. The Billings Gazette reports that the Northern International Livestock Exposition had collected $10,000 in cash donations and about 250 tons of hay by Thursday. Five dead horses have been found on the ranch. A Montana veterinarian had warned that others would start dying off in droves if they did not receive food soon. The horses belong to James H. Leachman, who has filed for bankruptcy. Leachman is scheduled to appear Friday on multiple charges of animal cruelty. (AP Photo/Billings Gazette, Larry Mayer)

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• ITD settled EPA violations on Sandpoint Bypass project /Keith Kinnaird, Bee
• Megaloads foes plan no future challenge to ConocoPhillips loads /Betsy Russell, EOB
• Idaho’s budget gap balloons to $185M /Associated Press
• Official: Bomb found on Spokane MLK Day had rat poison, pellets /CNN Wire
• Simpson sides with Otter on nuclear shipments /Kevin Richert, Statesman
• Idaho F&G ready to move on Lolo wolf kill if OK comes /Associated Press
• Idaho pensioners to get 1 percent pension hike /Associated Press
• Bill would bar use of welfare cards at strip clubs /Associated Press