Rove visits Missoula to advise local Republican leaders

MISSOULA (AP) -- Former White House political strategist Karl Rove was in Missoula on Wednesday for a fundraiser and to advise local GOP leaders on how to regain political control of the state, party officials said.

The event was closed to the public, and media representatives were not allowed to attend.

Will Deschamps, chairman of the Missoula County Republican Central Committee, said Rove met with a small group of Republicans before he spoke about his days in the White House. Rove also emphasized the importance of upcoming national and local races, Deschamps said.

Erik Iverson, chairman of the state Republican Party, said local party officials invited Rove to engage Montana Republicans in a ''substantive political discussion.''

The fundraiser at the DoubleTree Hotel attracted about two dozen protesters.

Armed robber holds up Hamilton casino

HAMILTON (AP) -- Police say an armed robber held up a casino in Hamilton late Tuesday.

Authorities say a man walked into the Gold Coin Casino just after 11 p.m., pulled a gun and demanded that an employee hand over money.

Police wouldn't say how much cash was taken.

Police say the suspect appeared to be about 60 years old with salt-and-pepper facial hair.

The suspect fled the scene on foot.

Water release into Missouri continues

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will continue releasing extra water into the Missouri River from an upstream dam through Thursday.

The 48-hour release is designed to prompt spawning of an endangered fish.

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon sued in federal court to stop the release, citing flooding concerns, but failed. State leaders then asked President Bush to step in.

The White House says the corps is complying with a long-standing supervised plan, and is monitoring weather and river conditions closely.

It says the corps would not have done the release if it posed a risk to public safety.