Montana

Child care challenges continue in Montana

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2024

Child care challenges continue in Montana

HELENA — Child care is a tricky issue. A conference in Helena brought together industry leaders throughout the state to address the issues faced by businesses and parents alike.

“For parents, it’s an expensive service. A lot of parents rely on child care. So, when they don’t have access to child care then they’re not able to participate in the workforce, which has a big impact on our local and statewide economy,” says Caitlin Jensen, Executive Director at Zero to Five Montana.

The Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit aims to support child care businesses and address issues faced by the industry and parents.

Jessica Dehn owns 11 child care centers in Montana, Washington, and North Dakota and was at the conference on Wednesday. She’s found it difficult to balance keeping her prices affordable and paying her employees a living wage, especially in cities like Bozeman.

“Wages have gone up at my facilities about 50% or more, sometimes 100% depending on the role, over the last four years. And it’s still not necessarily a living wage in Bozeman, Montana,” says Dehn.

Dehn adds that she helps bridge the affordability gap through scholarships for qualifying families, but that the funding for those scholarships comes from inside the company. Covid relief that helped offset that burden is disappearing. She is also looking at other ways to offset costs, like partnerships with other businesses. She’ll be headed to Washington D.C. soon to possibly speak with lawmakers about other possible solutions.

“For the time being, I think the wins will be in the business sector more quickly, and helping government to see the state of the Montana economy is reliant upon this as well. I think people know that intellectually, but when it comes down to individual pocketbooks or funding like different budgets of different organizations at the state that gets more challenging,” says Dehn.

Other organizations are also working to provide parents with additional childcare options. The Helena Family YMCA has offered summer camps and after-school care in previous years but is preparing to launch before-school care and looking for a new space to host child care during work hours. The Y supports many low-income families, saying about 56% of their after-school children receive Best Beginnings child care scholarships.

Ashley Callison, Senior Youth Development Director at Helena Family YMCA, says child care is an essential cornerstone of our society.

“Just that it’s really important work and it’s valuable work that I think gets overseen a lot. And people don’t realize what a vital role that child care is in families lives and in our society because that’s how parents get to work every day and someone has to care for their kiddos and help them have great experiences throughout their childhood,” says Callison.

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Montana

Montana FWP opens applications for 2026 hunting access programs

Published

8 hours ago

February 10, 2026

Press Room

Montana FWP opens applications for 2026 hunting access programs

MISSOULA, Mont. — Landowners interested in allowing public hunting access on their property, or providing access through private land to public land, may now apply for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ 2026 hunting access programs.

Applications and program details are available for several options, including Block Management, Block Management Access Corridors, Elk Hunting Access Agreements, Public Access Land Agreements and Unlocking Public Lands.

Landowners proposing access routes through private land to landlocked or hard-to-access public lands must apply by March 15. Deadlines for landowners allowing public hunting access on private lands are May 1 for Elk Hunting Access Agreements and June 1 for Block Management.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offers multiple tools to help landowners manage public access. In all access programs, landowners retain control by setting the rules and conditions for when, where and how the public may use enrolled lands.

All participating landowners receive liability protection under Montana law. Depending on the program, additional benefits may include assistance with hunter management, compensation for hunter impacts, infrastructure reimbursements to support public access to public lands, and complimentary licenses or permits in exchange for allowing public hunting access.

More information and applications are available by contacting a local Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regional office or visiting fwp.mt.gov/hunt/landownerprograms.

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Montana

Montana artists sought for Bannack Days 50th anniversary art contest

Published

20 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Press Room

Montana artists sought for Bannack Days 50th anniversary art contest

BANNACK — Bannack State Park, a Montana treasure that became the state’s first territorial capital in 1864, is celebrating a major milestone this summer. The park’s signature event, Bannack Days, is marking its 50th year, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking artists to help commemorate the occasion.

“This is the park’s signature, yearly event where we bring together reenactors, demonstrations, and just all kinds of activities to celebrate Bannac,k but also early settlement in Montana and you know the gold rush days of Montana,” said Morgan Jacobsen with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

WATCH: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announces art contest for Bannack Days 50th anniversary celebration

Montana artists sought for Bannack Days 50th anniversary art contest

FWP is asking Montana artists to help celebrate this milestone season by entering an art contest for the Bannack Days promotion.

“The winning artwork that’s selected will be used in promotional materials for Bannack Days and in other ways that we sort of advertise for Bannack. The winning artist will be linked with that artwork and receive a cash award,” Jacobsen said.

The artwork needs to capture the essence of Bannack, and the state park offers many artistic options for inspiration.

“There’s the gold mining aspect of it, you know, Bannack has many historic buildings that have just this natural aesthetic appeal, you know, early settlement, there’s Native American connections to the area, of course, the landscape and scenery is gorgeous too,” Jacobsen said.

Artists interested in participating can find more information about art requirements by searching for “Bannack Days Art Contest” on the FWP website. All entries must be submitted by the end of business on March 1st.

The contest represents an opportunity to help bring the past into the present while celebrating five decades of honoring Montana’s territorial history.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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2026 MHSA Montana All-Class State Wrestling Tournament Schedule & Brackets – FloWrestling

Published

1 day ago

February 9, 2026

Press Room

2026 MHSA Montana All-Class State Wrestling Tournament Schedule & Brackets – FloWrestling

Unless you’re a fan of extreme cold, heavy snow, winter sports and early nightfall, you’re probably not going to be traveling to, or through, Montana during February.

But if you’re a local, and looking to stay warm and entertained, you’re in luck, as it now is time for one of the most anticipated championship event of the year, the Montana High School Association All-Class State Wrestling Tournament.

Since the mid-1950s, the history and tradition of high school wrestling in Montana have continued to grow, with girls wrestling officially joining the landscape for the 2021-2022 season and adding to the sport’s popularity and following.

The 2026 edition of the state event will take place Feb. 19-21 at the First Interstate Arena, one of the many versatile facilities that make up the 189-acre multi-use MetraPark in Billings, Montana.

Though this tournament won’t be broadcast live on FloWrestling or the FloSports app, each match will appear in the FloWrestling archives minutes after concluding.

The evolution of MHSA wrestling includes one classification in 1956, two in 1958, three in 1964 and four starting in 2007 (AA, A, B, C).

The state tournaments were held at separate sites until 1988, when the All-Class State Wrestling Tournament found its home at the MetraPark, with wrestling occurring on 12 mats.

The 12,000-seat First Interstate Arena hosts many of Montana’s largest concerts, family shows, rodeos, trade events, ice shows, motorsports events, agricultural events and more.

Check out this cool map of the wrestling floor.

Champions in girls wrestling were determined for the first time in 2021 when there was just one classification. In 2023, there were two. In 2024, there were three. Finally, in 2025, the girls got a fourth classification.

In 2025, eight team state championships were earned in Billings for the first time.

On the girls side, Billings Senior won the Class AA crown for the third consecutive season, while Custer County (Miles City) grabbed the Class A championship to deny Ronan a three-peat. In Class B, Baker won for the second consecutive season, and Simms took home the inaugural Class C trophy.

Individually, Kaura Coles from Kalispell Glacier won her third consecutive state championship and now has the opportunity to complete the four-peat in 2026 and become the state’s first four-time girls state champion. Coles was one of four girls to join the three-win club in 2025.

The boys side of the event saw legacy-building performances in the team competition.

Huntley Project took the top spot in the Class B standings for the fourth consecutive year, Billings West completed its own Class AA three-peat and Laurel won Class A for the second straight season. The final trophy, in Class C, went to Circle, which last won in 2022 to complete a nearly unprecedented five-peat.

As you get settled in for the new championship season, here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 MHSA All-Class State Wrestling Tournament, including links to the brackets.

What Are The Weight Classes For High School Wrestling In Montana?

In Pounds

Girls: 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 155, 170, 190, 235
Boys: 103, 110, 118, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215, 285

2026 MHSA All-Class State Wrestling Tournament Brackets

Here’s where you’ll be able to find the brackets for the 2026 MHSA All-Class State Wrestling Tournament:

How To Watch The 2026 MHSA All-Class State Wrestling Tournament

Coverage of the 2026 MHSA All-Class State Wrestling Tournament won’t be broadcast live on FloWrestling and the FloSports app, but the matches will be available in the FloWrestling archives minutes after they conclude.

News, notes, stats and more will be available on both platforms.

If you’re going to be in the area and want to catch the action in person, tickets will be available at the venue. All-session (three days) tickets for adults are $29. Single-session (Friday or Saturday) are $16. After 4 p.m. (Thursday or Friday) will be $10. After 3 p.m. (Saturday) will be $10. There will be a $2 service fee added to all tickets.

Student tickets will be $24, $14, $8 and $8, respectively.

More spectator and ticket information is available here.

2026 MHSA (MT) State Championships – ARCHIVE ONLY

2026 MHSA All-Class State Wrestling Tournament Schedule

Here’s a look at when everything is going down in Montana:

All Times Mountain

Tuesday, Feb. 17

7 p.m. – Coaches’ meeting via Zoom

Thursday, Feb. 19

10 a.m.-1 p.m. – MetraPark opens for practice; Scales available for weight checks
1 p.m. – Boys & Girls weigh-in time; Grooming/skin checks
1 p.m. – Workers’ meeting
1 p.m. – Ticket gates open for spectator admission and sign/banner hanging
2 p.m. – Officials’ meeting
3 p.m. – Boys Round 1; Girls Round 1 & Round 2

Friday, Feb. 20

7 a.m. – Ticket gates open for spectator admission
8:50 a.m. – Assemble for Parade of Athletes
9 a.m. – Parade of Athletes
9:10 a.m. – National anthem
9:20 a.m. – Boys Round 1 Consolation & Quarterfinals; Girls Round 1 & Round 2 Consolation; Girls Quarterfinals
2:30 p.m. (approx.) – Boys Round 2 Consolation; Girls Round 3 Consolation
5 p.m. (approx.) – Boys and Girls Semifinals
5:15 p.m. (approx.) – Official weigh-ins

Saturday, Feb. 21

7 a.m. – Ticket gates open for spectator admission
8:50 a.m. – National anthem
9 a.m. – Boys and Girls Consolation Quarterfinals
11 a.m. (approx.) – Boys and Girls Consolation Semifinals
1 p.m. (approx.) – Boys and Girls Consolation Finals
3 p.m. – Parade of Finalists; Boys and Girls Finals (four mats)

What Teams Won At The 2025 MHSA All-Class State Wrestling Tournament?

Here are the 2025 team state champions in Montana:

Girls

Class AA – Billings Senior
Class A – Custer County (Miles City)
Class B – Baker
Class C – Simms

Boys

Class AA – Billings West
Class A – Laurel
Class B – Huntley Project (Worden)
Class C – Circle

Read more: 2025 MHSA Montana State Championship Results And Brackets

Did You Know: Butte High School Wrestling Was On Another Level

The record for team state titles in Montana is 17, held by Butte High School, which won a record 13 consecutive championships from 1980-1992, but hasn’t been back to the mountaintop since 2003.

Havre and Glasgow rank second all-time with 14 titles.

Individually, 42 boys have won four state titles, with Zach Morse becoming the latest in 2025.

For the girls, three-time defending Class AA champion Billings Senior owns the most titles with three, while three schools have two.

Individually, seven girls have won three championships, with four adding their names to the list last season.

2025-2026 FloWrestling High School Wrestling Rankings

Top 20 as of Jan. 12, 2026

Curious about how the top wrestlers from each state stack up against competitors from across the country?

Click here to see the latest high school rankings from FloWrestling.

CHANCE (The Unbelievable Story Of Chance Marsteller)

Chance Marsteller was a wrestling prodigy destined for greatness, but the journey to the top was anything but smooth. Learn all about Marsteller now.

Trackwrestling Has Joined The New FloWrestling

Trackwrestling officially has merged with FloWrestling, bringing its powerful tournament tracking tools and live data into a modern, all-in-one platform.

Fans can follow every bout with pro-grade brackets, mat schedules, team rosters and detailed wrestler profiles—all seamlessly integrated within FloWrestling.

This move delivers a faster, smarter and more connected experience for the wrestling community. Through the updated FloSports app, users can track live results, explore brackets and even sign up for free alerts so they never miss a match.

FloWrestling Archived Footage

Video footage from all events on FloWrestling will be archived and stored in a video library for FloWrestling subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.