Montana

Montana DPHHS taking comment on proposed abortion clinic license rules

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2024

Montana DPHHS taking comment on proposed abortion clinic license rules

HELENA — The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is currently taking public comment on a proposed set of rules for licensing abortion providers in the state. On Friday, they took input during an online public hearing.

DPHHS released the rules last month, as part of the implementation of House Bill 937, a state law from last year that required abortion clinics to get a license.

The proposed rules include physical standards like minimum sizes for patient rooms and hallways, requirements for staff policies and procedures, and rules that clinics must have a physician as a medical director and a written agreement with a hospital to transfer patients experiencing a medical emergency.

“Most of the proposed requirements for abortion clinics are based on the licensure and regulatory requirements for outpatient centers for surgical services, while some are derived from the regulatory requirements and minimum standards imposed on all health care facilities,” DPHHS said in its statement explaining the rules. “In the department’s judgment, these current regulatory requirements represent the appropriate level of regulatory requirements to impose on abortion clinics.”

The department said five abortion providers in Montana would fall under these rules. Once they go into effect, clinics will have to apply for a license within 30 days.

On Friday, supporters of the proposed rules said they were reasonable requirements that would protect patients’ health and safety. They said the proposals were in line with what other medical providers would need to follow.

Karysse Hutson, an obstetrician and gynecologic surgeon in Flathead County, said she had treated patients who had complications after abortions, and she didn’t have medical notes or history to use when deciding on treatment.

“One portion of the rules that are being proposed are ensuring that the abortion doctor has direct continuing care of their patient if there is emergency services required, and that’s commonplace, routine practice for physicians at any outpatient surgical center,” she said.

But opponents – including representatives from all of Montana’s abortion providers – said the new rules were unnecessary and part of a pattern of targeting these clinics with bureaucratic hurdles. They said clinics are already subject to oversight, and that abortion care remains safe.

Helen Weems is an advanced practice registered nurse who operates All Families Healthcare in Whitefish – and she was at the center of a recent case in which the Montana Supreme Court overturned a state law that said only physicians and physician assistants could perform abortions. She said these proposed rules could force All Families to shut down.

“A forced closure would deny countless Montanans access to compassionate, empowering and lifesaving care,” said Weems. “All Families does not have a large operating room, nor do we have a physician medical director. We do not have and cannot have six-foot-wide hallways. These requirements are not necessary for the safe delivery of abortion care.”

All Families and Weems, along with Blue Mountain Clinic in Missoula, already sued over HB 937 last year. A Helena judge put a temporary restraining order on the law, preventing the state from enforcing the license requirement until at least 60 days after these rules take effect. In addition, his ruling says the plaintiffs may bring the rules into the lawsuit once they’re adopted.

DPHHS will be accepting public comment on the proposed rules through next Friday, Aug. 23, at 5 p.m. Comments can be mailed to Bailey Yuhas, Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 4210, Helena, Montana, 59604-4210; sent by fax to (406) 444- 9744; or emailed to hhsadminrules@mt.gov.

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Montana

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

Published

8 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

20 hours 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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Montana

Montana FWP seeking water rights for Rock Creek near Red Lodge

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

Montana FWP seeking water rights for Rock Creek near Red Lodge

CARBON COUNTY — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is working to acquire two senior water rights along the West Fork of Rock Creek near Red Lodge to address critically low water levels that are threatening the fish population.

The creek, which flows around the Red Lodge community, may appear full to casual observers, but wildlife officials say the flow is dangerously low for fish survival.

Watch FWP discuss the need for these water rights for Rock Creek:

Montana FWP seeking water rights for Rock Creek

“To have these water levels, it can have an impact on the fishery over there,” Chrissy Webb with Fish, Wildlife and Parks said. “Over the past few years, we’ve been seeing really low water levels for these trout, which is obviously a huge issue. Fish, of course, need water.”

The proposed solution involves purchasing two senior water rights that were previously used for irrigation and transferring them to remain in the stream for fishery protection.

“This would be water that was once diverted for irrigation. Those water rights would transfer to remain in the stream for the protection of this fishery,” Webb said.

Acquiring water rights is a complex process, but Webb emphasized the urgency of the situation. Without intervention, the fish population could decline quickly.

“We need water levels to be at a certain level for fish to survive. And we need water temperatures to be low enough for these trout to survive. And then, like I said, some places in Rock Creek have even experienced total dewatering of the stream bed,” Webb said.

FWP plans to purchase the water rights for $330,000. The process involves the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

“They’re working with the owner of those water rights to transfer their purpose from irrigation to being in stream flows,” Webb said.

The DNRC will ultimately decide whether FWP has the authority to purchase the water rights. The access to water would come from Giant Springs in Great Falls.

Michael Downey with the DNRC said mid to low elevation areas are particularly lacking adequate stream levels, but is confident they will rise as the year continues.

“If you look at where snowpack is right now, even those places that are below normal, certainly that Rock Creek drainage is probably the one in the area that looks worse than most,” Downey said.

On Feb. 12, the DNRC will decide if the FWP has the authority to purchase those water rights.

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