Montana

Montana could be an energy leader, but we’ve fallen behind

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2024

Montana could be an energy leader, but we’ve fallen behind

A blast of Arctic air is nothing new for Montana – most of us have plenty of practice dealing with extreme cold and working together to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe.

But something rang different this time. Instead of reassurance that we’ll get through this together, and that Montanans always have each other’s backs, some of our statewide leaders used the dangerous weather as another opportunity to snipe at their constituents and make divisive comments.

Matt Rosendale posed in front of an idle wind farm on Saturday, braving the cold weather to make potshots at one of Montana’s most valuable resources. In a separate post that same day, Rosendale mocked Montana’s new electric school buses, which will help protect our kids from air pollution. His point, in both cases, is that fossil fuels are the only way we can survive.

But Rosendale may not have been aware that Colstrip had been running at half speed for nearly a week before he made his posts. Around midnight on Jan. 6, Colstrip’s output began to decrease, and it remained around half its normal capacity until Friday night. By Saturday morning, the power plant was back to full steam.

Later that same day, a major natural gas storage hub in Washington State went offline, halting gas distribution to the 1,500 mile long Northwest Pipeline. This pipeline serves millions of homes throughout a multistate region, and the outage triggered immediate calls for reduced energy use.

But the lights stayed on. We all remained warm and safe. No one except energy nerds like me noticed these disruptions. Why? Because we have an amazing, interconnected electricity grid that allows energy from different sources and regions to go where it’s needed. It’s a great example of the power of cooperation.

While some people can’t resist the temptation to use an emergency to prop their favorite energy source (or major political donor, in Rosendale’s case), events like this stress the entire system. There is no single type of energy that solves every problem. But what does solve these problems is a diverse blend of energy sources connected by a robust grid. Want proof? Just look at Texas with their isolated grid – and frequent electricity shortages.

Meanwhile, Sen. Steve Daines used the subzero temperatures as an opportunity to mock the whole idea of global warming. This cringeworthy comment came while many people in his hometown were suffering in the cold in camping trailers and makeshift housing. But Daines at least got one part right: Global warming is indeed a global problem. When Arctic air flows southward, the Artic becomes unusually warm. So while Montana was frigid, it was raining in Greenland. As the globe continues to warm, it will continue to drive extreme weather events, even above and beyond our normal extremes.

But there are solutions to these problems, thankfully. Energy is shifting from fewer, larger (and heavily polluting) power plants to smaller, more diverse, and more nimble power generation. We’re seeing exciting innovations in efficiency, energy storage, and ways to capture energy from wind, sun and geothermal heat. Montana has tremendous potential – thanks to our natural resources, our location near energy-hungry markets on the West Coast, and most of all from our hardworking people. We could be national leaders in today’s energy technology. Alas, we are not. States all around us have passed us in manufacturing and deployment of modern and cleaner energy infrastructure. Montana seems stuck in the past, unable to envision a cleaner future, while places like South Dakota, Iowa, and Georgia have become the new wave of energy leaders.

Montana has almost everything we need to catch up with other states. But perhaps the first step is for our leadership to want to make Montana better and stronger, and help steer us toward new areas of expertise. Instead of using the cold weather as an opportunity to learn and plan, they used it as a means to divide and diminish us. And that, sadly, is a complete waste of energy.

Karin Kirk is a geologist, science journalist, and ski instructor from Bozeman.

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Montana

Film Trailer Released for the Montana Backcountry Discovery Route Project

Published

3 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Press Room

Film Trailer Released for the Montana Backcountry Discovery Route Project

Press Release | January 12, 2026

Backcountry Discovery Routes has released the official trailer for its newest route, the Montana Backcountry Discovery Route (MTBDR). A full-length expedition documentary will release February 7 at the Ellen Theatre in Bozeman, Montana, prior to its nationwide film tour.

This is a press release from BDR…

Photos By Miguel Santana / Courtesy of BDR

Seattle, WA – (January 9, 2026) — Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR), the non-profit organization dedicated to creating and preserving off-highway riding opportunities for adventure and dual-sport motorcyclists, has released the official trailer for its newest route, the Montana Backcountry Discovery Route (MTBDR).

The full-length expedition documentary will make its world premiere during the MTBDR Route Release Event on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Ellen Theatre in Bozeman, Montana, before launching a nationwide film tour at motorcycle dealerships and clubs across the country.

About the Route

The MTBDR is BDR’s 23rd route and completes the final link in the Western BDR system, creating a continuous backcountry network across the western United States. The approximately 900-mile route begins in Island Park, Idaho, and travels north through Montana before ending near the U.S.–Canada border outside of Eureka.

Montana Backcountry Discovery Route Project

Crossing more than 13 mountain ranges, the MTBDR takes riders deep into Big Sky Country, weaving together alpine ridgelines, remote valleys, dense pine forests, historic mining towns, wide-open ranchlands, and rugged two-track roads. Highlights include the Gravelly Range, Ruby River Valley, Virginia City, Butte, and the wild landscapes of the East Pioneer, Highland, and Cabinet Mountains.

Blending scenic gravel, flowing forest roads, and optional harder sections for more experienced riders, the MTBDR offers an ideal balance of accessibility and challenge. The route is best enjoyed between July and September, depending on snow levels and seasonal closures.

With the release of the route, riders will have access to free GPS tracks, detailed travel resources, FAQs, route updates, and the official MTBDR Motorcycle Map, providing everything needed to plan a self-guided Montana backcountry adventure.

“The Montana BDR completes the last piece of the Western BDR puzzle, and it’s been one of the most anticipated routes we’ve ever created. It delivers on every level: big landscapes, remote riding, historic towns, and a true sense of exploration. This route does not disappoint.” ~ Bryce Stevens, MTBDR Co-Architect & BDR Co-Founder and Routes Development Director

Film & Route Release

The MTBDR documentary follows the BDR team and special guests as they verify and ride the route, capturing both the scale of Montana’s landscapes and the collaborative effort required to develop a route of this magnitude. The film also includes the next generation of BDR riders—the sons of BDR co-founders—reflecting the multi-generational nature of the community and how these routes are often best experienced when shared. It’s a reminder that the BDR legacy continues to grow, shaped by riders who are discovering these places for the first time.

The world film premiere and official route release will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Ellen Theatre in Bozeman, Montana, with members of the BDR team, route architects, and industry partners in attendance. Tickets for the premiere are available at www.RideBDR.com/MTBDR.

Free GPS tracks, digital maps, FAQs, and travel resources will be released at 12:00 PM PST on February 7 at www.RideBDR.com. The waterproof MTBDR Motorcycle Map will be available for purchase through the BDR Online Store.

“As a Montana native, it’s incredibly rewarding to help bring this route to life. The MTBDR showcases the best of our state while supporting rural communities that rely on visitor travel. We’re excited to welcome riders from across the country to experience Montana responsibly and respectfully.” ~ Russ Ehnes, MTBDR Co-Architect & AMA Chairman of the Board

MTBDR Film Tour

Each year, nearly 100 motorcycle dealerships and clubs nationwide host screenings of BDR’s newest film, bringing the adventure riding community together for an evening of inspiration and connection.

Dealerships and clubs interested in hosting an MTBDR screening can now sign up at https://ridebdr.com/MTBDRscreenings
Riders interested in attending a screening in their area can check the listing of screening at https://ridebdr.com/MTBDRtour. More screenings are being added daily so check back if you don’t see a screening near you.

Route Sponsors

The MTBDR project was made possible through the support of key industry partners who share BDR’s commitment to adventure motorcycling, responsible travel, and public land access. Presenting sponsors include:

Triumph Motorcycles America returned for a second consecutive year as an OEM sponsor, providing Tiger 900 Rally Pro motorcycles for the expedition team. Triumph also supported the project with guest riders featured in the film, including Jeff Stanton of Jeff Stanton Adventures, a Triumph-accredited training and touring partner.
onX Offroad, the official navigation app of Backcountry Discovery Routes, supported the MTBDR by providing reliable, user-friendly navigation tools that helped the team verify the route and navigate safely throughout the expedition.
Quad Lock outfitted the MTBDR team with its patented phone mounting systems, allowing riders to securely mount their phones for navigation even on rough backcountry roads and rugged terrain.
Edelweiss Bike Travel, a leading global motorcycle tour company, continues its long-standing support of the adventure motorcycling community in the U.S. through its ongoing sponsorship of BDR routes and projects.

BDR is also grateful for the continued support of its industry partners, including:

Touratech, Mosko Moto, Motoz Tires, KLIM, Cardo Systems, Alpinestars, Rev’It!, Colorado Motorcycle Adventures, West 38 Moto, Rogue Moto, Moto Camp Nerd, SoCal Offroad School, Fox Racing, Black Dog Cycle Works, Doubletake Mirror, REVER, Cyclops, Emmaus Moto Tous, ADV Rider Training, Giant Loop, and others.

For more information about the MTBDR, film screenings, and route details, visit www.RideBDR.com/MTBDR.

Click here for more Press Releases on Cycle News.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 12, 2026

Published

15 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 12, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 12 drawing

05-27-45-56-59, Powerball: 04, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 12 drawing

21-23-24-28-39, Lucky Ball: 01

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 12 drawing

09-20-25-30-51, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 12 drawing

01-14-22-29, Bonus: 09

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 12 drawing

11-23-24-54-56, Powerball: 05

Check Powerball Double Play 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.

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

Man dies in Highway 93 crash in Lake Co.

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

Man dies in Highway 93 crash in Lake Co.

RAVALLI, Mont. — A 35-year-old man is dead after a two vehicle crash on Highway 93 North near Ravalli on Sunday morning, according to Montana Highway Patrol.

The driver of a Honda Civic traveling northbound in the southbound lanes was declared dead on scene after colliding with a Ford F-150 that was traveling southbound.

The driver of the Ford F-150 was injured in the accident taken to St. Luke Community Healthcare in Ronan.

Montana Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

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