Montana
Montana Senate advances bill that would criminalize transgender procedures for youth
HELENA — Last legislative session, Montana lawmakers passed a law – currently held up in court – that prohibits gender-affirming procedures for transgender youth. On Monday, the state Senate endorsed a bill that would define providing those procedures to children under the age of 16 as criminal child endangerment.
Senators gave initial approval to Senate Bill 164, sponsored by Sen. John Fuller, R-Kalispell, on a 30-20 vote. If the bill becomes law, someone convicted of providing or procuring surgeries or hormone treatment to alter the perceived gender of a child under 16 could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The maximum sentence would be up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if a judge or jury determined there was “serious bodily injury.”
Jonathon Ambarian
Supporters of SB 164 said Monday that it was needed to protect children from procedures that could have long-term health consequences.
“I wouldn’t want to wish that on anybody, let alone children,” said Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton. “I believe it is our obligation to protect Montana’s children from these circumstances.”
Opponents of the bill said it was overreaching and could lead to parents and health care providers facing charges.
“It’s one thing to think that supporting a child’s transition is the wrong choice; we can all have our opinions, that is fine,” said Sen. Cora Neumann, D-Bozeman. “However, protecting freedom means that parents who love their children and want to help them have their freedom to choose.”
Jonathon Ambarian
“They’re just trying to get help for their children,” said Sen. Wendy McKamey, R-Great Falls. “And if they cannot trust the help, if they cannot find the help, if they think that they’re going to be penalized by trying to find this help, they’re not going to seek the help.”
Opponents also argued studies have shown withholding gender-affirming procedures from transgender youth could put them at a higher risk of suicide. Those in favor of the bill argued the data is not clear on whether that is the case.
Fuller also sponsored SB 99, the 2023 bill currently facing a challenge to its constitutionality. Regardless of that case, he said he believed SB 164 would ultimately be upheld.
“I would offer to you that the state does have a compelling interest, a very compelling interest,” he said.
All but two Republicans voted for SB 164, while all Democrats voted against it.
The Beacon’s 2025 photographic landscape stretched from the stark expanses of the Blackfeet Nation, to the marbled halls of the state Capitol, across the vast waters of Flathead Lake, to the tops of Glacier’s highest peaks, and onto protester-filled streets. The year delivered its share of turbulence in both politics and nature. Montana’s dynamic range reinforces photography is as much an art of capturing moments as it is an exercise in distillation. Of 50,000+ presses of the shutter this year, only about 5,000 of the resultant images made the cut for toning, captioning and filing into the archives. Those 5,000 frames were further culled to less than 50 for the end-of-year gallery.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
04-25-31-52-59, Powerball: 19, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
03-05-07-17-34, Lucky Ball: 09
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
01-18-27-41-49, Star Ball: 09, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
05-25-26-31, Bonus: 12
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
03-15-19-29-35, Powerball: 21
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
07-09-14-15-16
Check Montana Cash 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.
The Montana at Montana State FCS semifinal game on ABC was the most-watched FCS playoff game on record, averaging 2.8 million viewers.
ESPN2’s Illinois State at Villanova game averaged about 400,000 viewers. The average of 1.6M viewers is the most-watched semifinals since 2009.
For comparison, last year’s FCS semifinals had two games on ABC, which draws more eyeballs than ESPN2. SDSU at NDSU on ABC averaged 1.58M viewers. South Dakota at Montana State on ABC averaged 1.37M. Last season’s title game of NDSU vs. Montana State on ESPN drew 2.41M.
This comes a week after the quarterfinal round drew its highest average audience since 2011.
Viewership for the six FCS playoff games so far on national TV is up 13% from the comparable six games on networks prior to the title game last year.
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