The backup in swine flu vaccine production has been instructive, raising concerns about how the government and pharmaceutical manufacturers could respond to a much worse pandemic.

The federal government originally projected that more than 120 million doses of the swine flu vaccine would be available by now, but only 13 million have been distributed nationwide so far. That's a big shortfall.

Some conservative voices have wrongfully tried to tie the situation to the debate over an expanded government role in health care. There are many valid arguments against that happening, but the shortage of swine flu vaccinations isn't one of them.

That's because the backup really has nothing to do with government and everything to do with raw manufacturing and distribution capacity being unable to meet increased demand for the vaccine. This is a problem that should be corrected, before the country is faced with something much more severe than swine flu.

FOR ONE TEAM, it was the first time; for the other it was a three-peat.

But either way it spelled a pair of state championships for North Valley high school cross-country teams.

The Columbia Falls boys, relying on a late-race surge, claimed the school's first state cross-country title by running away with the Class A trophy on Saturday in Missoula.

On the girls' side of Class A, the Whitefish team staved off a challenge from Glendive to claim its third-straight state title.

Congratulations to both teams.

CAYUSE PRAIRIE School District voters are deciding on a $1.95 million bond request to build a new gymnasium and performing arts center at the East Valley school.

It may seem like a strange time to ask for money from the voters, because of economic conditions, but actually the district moved ahead with the project because it qualifies for interest of 0 to 1 percent as a result of federal stimulus funding.

That is a bargain that probably won't ever be repeated, so voters are encouraged to seriously consider the needs of the students and support this project.