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‘Uncomfortable’ position: How, why Marshals held out versus Billings

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‘Uncomfortable’ position: How, why Marshals held out versus Billings


RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Roughly half of the Rapid City Marshals roster left the team on Friday, Co-Owner Wes Johnson tells KOTA News.

Team ownership notified players this week that moving forward they will only get paid $250 per game – that’s the 25% agreed upon in the contract between the team and the Arena Football League. As a result, nearly a dozen players quit.

Wages have been the primary concern from players all season, not only in Rapid City but across the country. It’s what ultimately led to last Saturday’s game, May 11, against the Billings Outlaws to be forfeited.

CONTEXT: Marshals players ‘refuse’ to come out of locker room

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On Monday of this week, KOTA News heard from former players Tim Lukas and Brian Villanueva on what made them hold out against Billings, and do it the way they did.

”We’ll do anything to play this game, and we’ll believe anyone that tells us really good things,” Lukas said. “The more that we started seeing cracks in the walls and some of the things that seemed like they were getting ignored by a lot of people, the more it became apparent that we had to act on it.”

Marshals players started brainstorming how they wanted to send a message several days before last Saturday’s game. While it remains unclear what exactly those conversations looked like between players in private, it’s known that the timing of their actions were deliberate.

“Things were getting dragged out in previous weeks and we wanted to make sure that you know decisions were made you know quicker, and that was part of the strategy,” Villanueva said. “If it was truly about making sure that we were taking care of the players than I felt like there would have been a game played, honestly.”

READ: Hear from Marshals ownership as AFL receives backlash

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Players whole-heartedly believed that the team ownership would meet their requests and pay them in full before kickoff against the Outlaws. That did not happen.

The Marshals wanted to make a statement, loud and clear, and the end result was felt by their peers across the league.

“A lot of the guys were proud that we stepped up and that we stuck together as a team to write a message to the entire league,” Lukas said.

“Had we not done it in that way, I don’t think it would have been felt as strong,” Villanueva continued.

Although players thought that not playing was the right move, ownership believed otherwise. Forfeiting the game against Billings put the franchise in a “really uncomfortable” financial position, according to Marshals Co-Owner Wes Johnson.

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“Wes usually tells us how much time he spends with this organization, and knowing that there’s not a lot of personnel or resources in the building, I know that they both (Wes and Rebecca) are working extremely hard on it,” Lukas said.

Looking back on all of this, Lukas is happy he came to South Dakota, but thinks that if he would have done more research, some of these issues wouldn’t have come as a surprise.

“I wish I would have dug a little bit further into some of the people who are at the very top, running the AFL, just for my own peace of mind,” Lukas said. “But as far as having regrets, I don’t have any regrets.”

On Tuesday of this week, league owners unanimously voted to appoint Jeff Fisher to AFL interim commissioner. Fisher is a former NFL head coach and serves as the president of operations for the Nashville Kats. This move pushes out former league commissioner Lee Hutton.

MORE: Jeff Fisher named interim commissioner of AFL

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In addition to league front office changes, many teams have undergone schedule reconstruction to help with scheduling logistics among the teams left in the league. This will take several weeks to finalize, according to Chris Chetty of G6 Sports Group.

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Montana Is Home To One Of The Most Overrated Ski Resorts

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Montana Is Home To One Of The Most Overrated Ski Resorts


There are a few things that I can’t do in live, and I own up to them.

One of those things is ski. Now, I realize that skiing is a popular past time here in Montana and we’re blessed to have several areas in Big Sky Country that cater to those who like to hit the slopes. From budget friendly to highly exclusive there is something for everyone.

Don’t get me wrong, the idea of doing it sounds thrilling, racing down the mountain on fresh powder, enjoying the view and all that comes with it. I think I would love it, if I could do it. However, I came across something that I found to be interesting. A popular Montana spot was named to be one of the most overrated ski resorts in the country.

What ski resort in Montana is overrated?

This is were things get a bit interesting. So much of what is best and what isn’t comes down to personal opinion. While there will be those who will disagree with what I’m going to reveal, keep in mind, this is not my opinion, it’s the opinion of the source.

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According to Outdoor Lifestyle who put out a list of The Top 25 Most Overrated Ski Resorts in the West, when it comes to Montana, Whitefish makes the list.

Now, it should be noted that Whitefish is the only Montana location that is on the list, and Whitefish isn’t ranked near the top, it’s actually ranked 15th. The source, doesn’t give a whole lot of data in to how they came up with the ranking, so we are left to wonder why they picked who they picked.

What are your thoughts? Where do you enjoying skiing in Montana? Let us know by sending us a message to our app.

New to Skiing in Montana? Here’s 10 Important Things to Remember

Just getting into skiing in Montana? Congratulations, you’re in one of the best places for skiing in the entire country, but there are a few things you need to know before you go.

Gallery Credit: Jesse James

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Every Montana Ski Area and Resort

Want to break away from your local mountain and shred somewhere new? Here are all of Montana’s ski areas and resorts.

Gallery Credit: Will Gordon





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Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Feb. 16, 2026

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

Here’s a look at Feb. 16, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Feb. 16 drawing

16-18-19-56-58, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Feb. 16 drawing

06-29-36-43-46, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Feb. 16 drawing

01-07-18-36-40, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Feb. 16 drawing

01-16-17-19, Bonus: 08

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Check Big Sky Bonus 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.

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

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

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Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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 governor launches sanctuary crackdown, probes capital city over ICE limits

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Montana governor launches sanctuary crackdown, probes capital city over ICE limits


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A western state’s governor and attorney general are launching an investigation into potential violations of a statewide ban on sanctuary cities and sanctuary-jurisdictional policies, pledging zero tolerance for failure to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte told Fox News Digital that he and Attorney General Austin Knudsen, both Republicans, will investigate the capital city of Helena under SB 200, which permits civil legal action and enforcement of fines against jurisdictions found in violation.

“In Montana, we don’t tolerate defiance and we support our law enforcement officers,” Gianforte told Fox News Digital.

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DEM GOVERNOR IN DEEP-RED STATE CALLS FOR ICE PULLOUT, TRIGGERING CLASH OVER ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY

Montana Republican Governor Greg Gianforte speaks at the ceremony to honor the four airmen killed in a 1962 B-47 crash at 8,500 feet on Emigrant Peak, on July 24, 2021 in Emigrant, Montana. (William Campbell/Getty Images)

“While the attorney general’s initial investigation will focus on the city of Helena, we’re really sending a message to all local governments across the state: If you are found to be in violation of state law, there will be penalties.”

In response to Helena City Commissioners’ vote to prevent local coordination with federal immigration enforcement, Gianforte and Knudsen announced the decision will be investigated as a potential violation of the sanctuary city ban originally authored by state Rep. Kenneth Holmlund, R-Miles City.

Gianforte said he has “serious concerns” about the resolution’s compliance with state law and said that under the sanctuary city ban, no state or local agency may refuse to cooperate with DHS.

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THIS IS HOW TRUMP CAN BREAK DEFIANT SANCTUARY CITIES

In a letter to Knudsen formally requesting his office’s cooperation, Gianforte laid out how “securing the border has been a top priority of President Donald J. Trump after the previous administration let nearly 11 million illegal immigrants enter freely into the United States under their watch.”

He referenced Trump’s mass deportation efforts and said that it is unfortunate to see “recent events” elsewhere in the U.S. that have put immigration agents in danger.

In that regard, he described a recent Helena City Council vote as ordering local officers not to get involved in actions to assist other agencies nor to detain or stop a person based on suspicion of immigration law or status infractions.

JD VANCE, ICE FLIP SCRIPT ON SANCTUARY CITY LEADERS AS ‘CHAOS’ ERUPTS ACROSS MN: ‘THIS IS DANGEROUS’

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ICE agents, left; Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and President Donald Trump, right. (John Moore/Getty Images; William Campbell/Getty Images)

“This resolution is clearly designed to obstruct federal law enforcement operations,” Gianforte said.

Knudsen told the Flathead Beacon that Helena appears to be “thumbing its nose to the Montana Legislature” and must understand it does not make state law.

“I encourage [the city] to retain counsel [and] get a lobbyist…” he said in part.

A spokeswoman for the city of Helena told Fox News Digital it had not received any formal communication on the matter from Gianforte, and added that “as a general practice, the City does not provide comment on pending or potential litigation matters.”

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“[Helena’s] resolution was drafted with careful consideration of applicable local, state, and federal law, and the City believes the resolution is consistent with those legal requirements,” she said.

“The City remains committed to upholding all applicable federal and state laws.

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Knudsen’s office signaled it is only officially looking at Helena, but local reports also pointed to concerns about Missoula — the state’s second-largest behind Billings.

A spokesperson for Missoula told the Montana Free Press it has never been and is not currently a sanctuary city, while adding that its police officers do not inquire about immigration status in public interactions.

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