BILLINGS — Candidates vying for an open state Senate seat in Missoula face a possible recount after unofficial results had them separated by just seven votes.

Provisional ballots were expected to be counted Monday in the contest between Democrat Diane Sands and Republican Dick Haines. A recount is possible if they remain separated by less than half of 1 percent.

Several other races were close and provisional ballots could make a difference.

Those include a state House race in Helena in which Democrat Mary Ann Dunwell led Republican Steve Gibson by just 20 votes out of 3,700 cast. 

In a Missoula state House race, Democrat Kimberly Dudik led independent candidate Gary Marbut by 29 votes out of almost 3,400 cast.

 Deal reached for raises for state employees

HELENA — Gov. Steve Bullock’s administration and three public employee unions have agreed to give most state employees raises next year and the year after.

The increases of 50 cents an hour would take effect in October 2015 and October 2016.

The Missoulian reports the proposed agreement announced Friday must be ratified by union members to take effect. After that, the Legislature would need to approve the deal.

Bullock says Montana’s strong fiscal position makes the raises possible. The increases will cost the state around $78 million over the next two years.

 Gay-marriage proponents remain optimistic

BOZEMAN — Advocates of same-sex marriage predict gay marriage soon will be a reality in Montana.

Four gay couples filed suit in May seeking the right to marry in Montana. U.S. District Judge Brian Morris is scheduled to hear arguments in that case in Great Falls on Nov. 20.

Liz Welch with the Montana ACLU says she’s not 100 percent sure Morris will rule in the couples’ favor, but she’s encouraged by recent rulings allowing gay marriage in other states.

Lions killed, trapped near Missoula

MISSOULA (AP) — One mountain lion suspected of killing sheep and goats in the Pattee Canyon area has been shot and another lion has been trapped.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says Doug Stewart killed an 85-pound lion Wednesday night after the animal returned to feed on the carcasses of two sheep and three goats killed the night before.

Stewart was authorized to shoot the lion after state officials investigated.

A sub-adult lion was trapped near Stewart’s home Wednesday night. Agency officials also were trying to catch the lion’s mother.

Wildlife officials typically kill mountain lions they capture because the animals are difficult to relocate.

Stewart tells the Helena Independent Record that the sheep and goats killed were more family pets than livestock and helped control weeds on his land.