Thumbs up to another sign that Montana is avoiding the brunt of the nation's economic downturn.

The state reported an end-of-fiscal-year fund balance of $400 million this week -- more than twice as much had been projected last year. The greater-than-expected surplus comes largely from increased tax revenue.

Thumbs down to that bear attack against a man in his tent in the Gallatin National Forest last week. We know that such attacks are a relatively rare occurrence, but it surely gives forest visitors something to think about as they "relax" in their tents.

Thumbs up to one good thing to come from soaring gasoline prices: fewer traffic deaths. Researchers with the National Safety Council said fatalities dropped 18 percent in March and 14 percent in April compared with those months in 2007, and the fact that Americans have sharply curtailed their driving as fuel prices rose toward the $4 level has to have had something to do with it.

Thumbs up to the beginning of bus service to and from the Capital Complex, at no cost to state employees. The service route isn't convenient to some, but the busing will cut spending on fuel, reduce parking congestion around the Capitol, particularly when the Legislature is in session, and decrease air pollution.