Students blog important environmental trial

Now here's a valuable way to use computers in education: Student bloggers give public a seat at Grace trial

"A cadre of journalism and law students from the University of Montana is providing a virtual window on what many are calling the most extensive environmental criminal trial in U.S. history.

Paired together in two-hour shifts, a law student and a journalism student provide daily, continuously updated online coverage of the W.R. Grace & Co. trial in U.S. District Court in Missoula through their blog, http://blog.umt.edu/gracecase.

Communities in Montana and around the country were exposed to asbestos-contaminated ore that W.R. Grace mined and shipped from Libby, Mont. Lawyers for Libby residents contend the pollution has killed some 225 people and sickened about 2,000 in Libby.

Now, W.R. Grace and five former company officials face criminal charges of knowingly endangering lives by hiding the health risks of asbestos."