Montana
A Storm System Clips Montana Thursday
We are in store for another mild day across the state. Highs will be in the 40s with a few isolated locations reaching 50 degrees. A weak cold front moved through this morning that brought a trace of snow to the mountains. The rest of the day will be partly cloudy and dry.
A storm system’s northern extent will reach southern Montana late tonight into tomorrow. Most precipitation will stay south of I-90, but a few isolated snow showers are possible near Helena. An overall colder and cloudier day should be expected for much of the state, with highs only reaching the 30s and low 40s.
By Friday, we will have already started to move in the right direction. The storm system passes and a ridge of high pressure starts to move in. This will bring mostly sunny skies with warmer temperatures.
The weekend will be another spring-like few days, with highs reaching the 50s and 60s once again. Clouds will start to build in Saturday night, and the wind picks up Sunday. A chinook wind with an associated arch cloud is likey Sunday into Monday.
Another storm with more seasonable temperatures moves in on Tuesday.
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WEATHER ALERTS:
A FLOOD ADVISORY continues for Richland County until 4 PM Wednesday
A FLOOD WATCH continues for Richland County until 4 PM Thursday
A WINTER STORM WARNING has been issued for the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains, Beartooth Foothills, and Red Lodge Foothills from 11 PM Wednesday until 5 AM Friday
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft from 11 PM Wednesday until 11 PM Thursday
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains, Centennial Mountains, Ruby Mountains, and the Southern Beaverhead Mountains from 11 PM Wednesday until 11 PM Thursday
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for the Livingston Area and Paradise Valley from 2 AM Thursday until 2 AM Friday
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for Northern Carbon, Northern Stillwater, and Northern Sweet Grass from 2 AM Thursday until 2 AM Friday
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for the Bighorn Canyon, Southeastern Carbon, and Southern Big Horn from 2 AM Thursday until 2 AM Friday
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for the Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains from 2 AM Thursday until 2 AM Friday
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Helena Temperature Records Today:
High: 73 (1987)
Low: -27 (2019)
AVG: 43/21
Great Falls Temperature Records Today:
High: 74 (1987)
Low: -22 (1947)
AVG: 41/18
Enjoy the day!
Joey Biancone
Meteorologist
Facebook: Meteorologist Joey Biancone MTN
MTN
Instagram: joeybianconewx
Email: joey.biancone@ktvh.com
Montana
Montana minimum wage increases to $10.85 | Explore Big Sky
By Micah Drew DAILY MONTANAN
With the start of the new year, Montanans on the lowest end of the pay scale will get a small boost as the state’s mandatory minimum wage increase goes into effect.
As of Jan. 1, Montana’s minimum wage increased from $10.55 to $10.85.
Stemming from a 2006 law, Montana’s minimum wage is subject to a cost-of-living adjustment, based on the national increase in the consumer price index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to state law, Montana businesses not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act are those whose gross annual sales are $110,000 or less may pay $4 per hour.
Montana is one of 30 states — plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands — that have a minimum wage higher than the federal rate of $7.25.
Twelve states, plus D.C. adjust their wages annually based on set formulas.
Montana has one of the lowest minimum wages that exceeds federal levels, with only West Virginia coming in lower among states at $8.75. The highest minimum wage is in D.C., at $17.25.
Montana
Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 7, 2026
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 7, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
15-28-57-58-63, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
05-14-15-21-39, Lucky Ball: 10
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
03-18-25-45-50, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
05-09-12-15, Bonus: 02
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
28-41-50-61-68, Powerball: 05
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
09-11-13-16-40
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.
Montana
California woman sentenced for smuggling attempt at border in Montana
MISSOULA, Mont. — A California woman who tried to smuggle her husband into the United States through northwest Montana has been sentenced to six months of probation, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Tracy Routh Lautenslager, 54, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to bring an alien into the United States at a location other than a designated port of entry. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over the case.
Court documents allege Lautenslager entered the U.S. through the Roosville Port of Entry on April 1, 2025, then drove to the Swisher Lake area near Lake Koocanusa. Border Patrol agents later learned a man had crossed the border on foot nearby. Canadian authorities eventually apprehended the man, identified as Lautenslager’s husband, a citizen of Great Britain with no legal status in the U.S.
Investigators say Lautenslager admitted the couple planned to avoid the port of entry by having her husband cross illegally while she drove into the U.S. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Stack and investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol as part of Operation Take Back America.
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