Thumbs up to the state Parks Division for its plans to institute a reservation system next year for many of its campsites for a small fee. Currently, Montana's state parks have no system by which people can reserve campsites, which means they can risk driving hundreds of miles to a park only to find it is full.

Thumbs down to what officials called a "small riot" Wednesday in the county jail in which inmates began throwing food and destroying other inmates' property. The incident quieted down in a hurry when riot-control officers and a police dog showed up, but several inmates are likely to face charges.

Thumbs up to a great addition to the Great Northern Carousel -- a hand-carved wolf. The carousel famously offers rides not only on horses but on a variety of other animals that call Montana home, including mountain goats, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, antelope, buffalo, bobcats, otters and even a cutthroat trout.

Thumbs down the news that identity thieves apparently are targeting Montana. According to a California company that sells fraud-protection products to businesses, fraud reports were growing the fastest in Montana and North Dakota. The firm speculated that the increase was caused by a ring of identity thieves passing through the area.