Montana news

• Southwest Montana fires grow quickly, with critical fire weather forecast this weekend

  07-08-2026 19:20 via billingsgazette.com
  
  Two wildfires burning east of Wisdom about doubled in size Thursday amid hot, dry and windy conditions, and more critical fire weather is expected Friday and Saturday.
  
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• Photo: Yellowstone International Airshow setup begins

  12-08-2026 14:15 via billingsgazette.com
  
  An aerial view shows work on the PRO EM National Event Services covered private viewing area for the Yellowstone International Airshow at the Billings airport.
  
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• Billings City Council does more 'trash talking' to help clarify new garbage rules

  12-08-2026 13:45 via billingsgazette.com
  
  Among the most visible changes for residents is a requirement that residential garbage and yard waste trash cans be able to close completely before collection.
  
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• Judge rules data center initiative deadline passed last month, effectively ending effort

  12-08-2026 01:10 via billingsgazette.com
  
  The ruling marks a likely end to getting data center regulation on the ballot for Nov. 3 during the general election, though the decision could still be appealed.
  
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• Judge rules data center initiative deadline passed last month, effectively ending effor

  12-08-2026 01:10 via billingsgazette.com
  
  The ruling marks a likely end to getting data center regulation on the ballot for Nov. 3 during the general election, though the decision could still be appealed.
  
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• Woman allegedly stole truck from Billings auction lot, broke into home – and took a nap

  12-08-2026 00:05 via billingsgazette.com
  
  Aubrey Rain Williams has been charged in Yellowstone County District Court with theft of a light vehicle, criminal mischief and misdemeanor trespassing.
  
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• Billings Clinic gets verified again as a level I trauma center

  11-08-2026 23:45 via billingsgazette.com
  
  Billings Clinic received its designation as a Level I Trauma Center in 2023 and passed the test again in 2026. The designation is recertified every three years.
  
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• Montana Army National Guard soldiers deploy to Washington to assist with Spokane fires

  11-08-2026 23:30 via helenair.com
  
  The five-soldier unit deployed under orders issued by Gov. Greg Gianforte last week to assist firefighting efforts on the historically devastating fires in and around Spokane.
  
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• Police report swatting incident in west Billings

  11-08-2026 23:25 via billingsgazette.com
  Swatting is when a false information is deliberately provided to generate a significant law enforcement response, typically to harass an individual at a specific location.
  
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• Billings approves $1.5M in TIF for housing project, but developer worries about stipulations

  11-08-2026 22:00 via billingsgazette.com
  
  City Council members stipulated that to receive the funding for their EBURD apartments, DEVCO must hire at least 50% of their workforce locally and abide by Montana's prevailing wage standards.
  
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• Sheriff's deputies detain data center petitioner Solberg at MontanaFair

  11-08-2026 21:20 via billingsgazette.com
  
  The incident, first described by Kassi Solberg online, prompted a public outcry about a potential voter suppression and an explanation from interim Sheriff Kent O’Donnell on Tuesday morning.
  
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• Go for arsenic: Agencies plan a more thorough cleanup of Arrowstone Park in Deer Lodge

  11-08-2026 21:05 via billingsgazette.com
  
  EPA and DEQ, noting the popularity of Arrowstone Park in Deer Lodge, plan to use the more stringent residential standard for arsenic to guide Superfund cleanup at the site.
  
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• Despite budget increase, Missoula mayor says median homeowner to see tax decrease

  11-08-2026 18:35 via billingsgazette.com
  State valuations released on Aug. 3 showed a median home would pay less in taxes by approximately $72, despite the city's plan of increasing its budget by 3.8%
  
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• Should Ravalli County commissioners serve 6-year terms? Voters may get to decide

  11-08-2026 14:30 via billingsgazette.com
  
  Ravalli County Commissioners have a question for their constituents: Should they continue to serve four-year terms? Or should they go back to serving for six years at a time?
  
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• Annual suicide prevention conference to be held Sept. 10 in Billings

  11-08-2026 14:00 via billingsgazette.com
  
  The conference aims to unite community members, professionals, advocates and partners who are committed to preventing suicide and supporting mental wellness throughout the region.
  
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• Photo: Motorcycle crash closes Rimrock Road

  11-08-2026 10:30 via billingsgazette.com
  
  Billings police investigate a motorcycle vs car accident on Rimrock Road at 12:35 a.m. Tuesday.
  
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• Helena man sentenced to 250 years for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 11-year-old girl

  11-08-2026 00:35 via billingsgazette.com
  
  A Helena man was sentenced to 250 years in the Montana State Prison on Monday after a jury convicted him of kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl.
  
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• In focus: The best images from the Independent Record last week

  10-08-2026 23:45 via helenair.com
  
  A collection of the best images from the cameras of Independent Record photographers last week.
  
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• No more Party America for Billings: Shiloh Crossing store will close after October

  10-08-2026 23:15 via billingsgazette.com
  
  At the end of business hours on Halloween — one of the store’s busiest days of the year — the doors will close for the final time.
  
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• Bench versus bar: Missoula justice of the peace candidates bring differing experience

  10-08-2026 23:15 via billingsgazette.com
  
  Landee Holloway and Kelli Sather are both running for the position of justice of the peace.
  
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• Longtime Whitefish sushi restaurant closes abruptly after death of employee

  10-08-2026 22:45 via billingsgazette.com
  
  "Due to unfortunate circumstances and a tragedy in our Wasabi family, we are forced to end our engagement with you all."
  
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• Man charged with raping woman at Missoula pedestrian bridge

  10-08-2026 22:00 via billingsgazette.com
  
  A man is facing a sexual intercourse without consent charge after Missoula law enforcement found him having sex with an unconscious woman on the Van Buren Street Footbridge last week.
  
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• Missoula man pleads not guilty to soliciting sex from student while observing classes

  10-08-2026 18:15 via billingsgazette.com
  
  Martelon was never directly employed by Sentinel High School, but observed classes there as part of a UM degree program.
  
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• Man dies after swerving off of Airport Road in Billings Sunday

  10-08-2026 18:15 via billingsgazette.com
  A 53-year-old man died after swerving off of Airport Road Sunday night. He had suffered an "apparent medical emergency," Billings Police Department stated.
  
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• City of Missoula to hold 'celebration' of Clark Fork River access sites

  10-08-2026 15:00 via billingsgazette.com
  The work restored more than 500 linear feet of eroding riverbank with native vegetation and protected an additional 2,600 linear feet of riverbank downtown.
  
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• 2026 Montana Pride celebrates equality and love across Helena

  10-08-2026 13:45 via helenair.com
  
  Hundreds of participants and spectators took to the streets of downtown Helena on Saturday for the 2026 Montana Pride parade and drag show, spreading words of love and support for the state's LGBTQ+ community.
  
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• Photos: Emu joins in Poultry Showmanship at MontanaFair

  09-08-2026 22:30 via billingsgazette.com
  
  Delilah Hale, of the Shepherd Tumbleweeds 4-H club, enters an emu in the Poultry Showmanship competition at MontanaFair on Sunday.
  
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• Photos: House that burned Friday rekindles Sunday morning

  09-08-2026 14:15 via billingsgazette.com
  
  A home at 3960 Pine Cove Road that burned on Friday rekindled at 6 a.m. Sunday.
  
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• Rappin' the Rivers brings sound and stars to the stage in Cardwell

  09-08-2026 14:00 via helenair.com
  
  Rappin' the Rivers brought sound, culture and stars to Cardwell over the weekend on three different stages with thousands of attendees.
  
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• Montana man will motorcycle across America to raise awareness of hemophilia

  08-08-2026 13:45 via billingsgazette.com
  
  Richard Williams' nearly 5,000-mile cross-country quest will take him from Fort Shaw, Montana, to Portland, Maine.
  
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