Montana

Montana Supreme Court rejects plea from Glasgow couple regarding child custody case – Daily Montanan

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2024

In a short, but quick response the Montana Supreme Court has ruled that it will not overturn a district court judge’s gag-order against a Glasgow couple fighting with the state over custody of their child.

On Tuesday, the day after Todd Kolstad and his wife, Krista Cummins-Kolstad, filed an emergency petition with the state’s highest court, a five-justice panel, led by Chief Justice Mike McGrath, said that the couple had presented no evidence that Valley County District Court Judge Yvonne Laird had made mistakes while handling the child custody case. Furthermore, the Supreme Court order said the motivation for the emergency appeal was likely because the couple could face jail time for violating Laird’s gag-order, but the judge had not issued any findings of contempt.

The justices said that because the process is still playing out, the Kolstads would have all legal defenses available to them to justify why they shouldn’t be held in contempt. Also, the judge has yet to make findings that an appellate court could review.

The ruling sets up a confrontation in which the Kolstads will appear before Laird on Feb. 21 in Glasgow at a hearing in which they will have to testify why they decided to violate a gag-order in place regarding the custody of their child. They had also asked the state’s Supreme Court to take “supervisory control” of the case, but the court declined to do that as well.

“First (the Kolstads) provide nothing of record in support of their petition regarding the proceeding or the orders entered by the district court,” the Supreme Court order released Tuesday said. “No mistake of law or emergency factors have been demonstrated. After the hearing, the parties may pursue any post-contempt remedy they consider necessary.”

The issue stems from a dispute between the parents and the state’s Child Protective Services division of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The case has drawn national and international attention, including the comments of Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, who defended the department.

In August 2023, the Kolstad’s child was removed from the home because of suicidal thoughts and actions. The state had located an in-patient psychiatric bed in Wyoming to help stabilize the 14-year-old. The Kolstad’s child identifies as a male, but the Kolstads said their religious beliefs reject that and consider transitioning a sin. They have stated they do not agree with their child’s identity.

Originally, the Kolstads rejected a placement in Wyoming, fearing that medical officials there would encourage or even begin allowing their child to transition. In court records, they told the Supreme Court they were motivated because they believed Montana had protected families who were not supportive of their children transitioning, and feared sending the child to a state that didn’t have the protections.

The protection they understood was the controversial Senate Bill 99, which prohibited families and youth from receiving gender-affirming care in the state by licensed medical providers. However, that law was challenged and enjoined, never in effect.

The Kolstads were placed under a gag-order after they began posting information to social media. They have appeared on national conservative news outlets, and their story went viral on the Canadian social media site, Reduxx.

The state has been awarded temporary custody of the child, who is currently in a group home in Billings, according to court records.

OP 24-0071 Final Disposition_ Deny — Order

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Montana

Montana Lottery Big Sky Bonus, Millionaire for Life results for May 10, 2026

Published

12 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 10 drawing

06-22-28-31, Bonus: 08

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing

01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Montana

Montana Vista residents meet with grid developer in heated meeting

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Montana Vista residents meet with grid developer in heated meeting

The Socorro Independent School District honored and celebrated its top two educators at the 2026 Teacher of the Year Gala on Friday, May 8 at the El Paso Convention Center.

Cristina Garcia, a fifth-grade teacher at Mission Ridge Elementary School, was recognized as the 2026 SISD Elementary Teacher of the Year. Javier Esparza, an audio and video broadcast teacher at Socorro High School, was named the 2026 SISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.

https://www.ktsm.com/news/socorro-isd-honors-top-2-teachers-at-gala-celebration/

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Montana

Montana Vista residents question impacts of proposed Pecos West energy project

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Montana Vista residents question impacts of proposed Pecos West energy project

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A proposed high-voltage transmission project in far East El Paso is raising concerns among residents in the Montana Vista area, as developers work to determine a potential route that could impact private property.

The project, known as Pecos West, is being developed by Grid United and would create a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line connecting El Paso to southeastern New Mexico.

According to the company, the goal is to link major parts of the U.S. electric grid, specifically the Western and Eastern interconnections, allowing electricity to move in both directions between regions. Developers say the project could strengthen energy reliability, expand access to power markets, and help prevent outages during extreme weather.

Grid United also describes Pecos West as a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment that could bring jobs, tax revenue, and long-term economic benefits to communities along the route.

However, for residents in Montana Vista, the immediate concern is not the long-term benefits, but what the project could mean for their land.

At a community meeting Saturday morning, several residents were able to voice their concern, telling KFOX14/CBS4 they feel they have not received enough information about the project’s path or timeline, especially as discussions about a preliminary route continue.

“We haven’t got anything from you,” said Armando Rodriguez, president of the Montana Vista Landowners. “Not one quote.”

Others echoed concerns about communication, calling on the company to directly notify homeowners who may be affected.

“You need to go to these houses, give people information, and say this could affect you,” one resident said.

Grid United says the project is still in the planning and development phase, and no final route has been approved.

The company says construction would only begin after securing regulatory approvals and negotiating land agreements with property owners.

Company representatives also emphasized that landowner participation is voluntary.

“Pecos does not have eminent domain,” said Alexis Marquez, community relations manager for the project. “If a landowner does not want it on their property, we would look at alternate routes.”

Developers say outreach will continue as planning progresses, but residents are asking for more direct communication now, especially those who believe they could be directly impacted.

The project is not expected to be completed anytime soon, with Grid United estimating that Pecos West could become operational in the mid-2030s if approved.

For now, the conversation in Montana Vista reflects a familiar tension seen in large infrastructure project, balancing long-term regional benefits with local concerns about transparency, property, and community impact.

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