Montana

Busy making Montana great

Published

11 months ago

March 9, 2025

In our minds, Montana is already the greatest state in the nation. However, our state will be even greater by the end of the 2025 legislative session. At the halfway point of the session, the Senate is working harder than ever to move critical legislation across the finish line and keep Montana the Last Best Place.

Tax reform has been a top priority this session; every lawmaker here can confirm that the people of Montana are eager to keep more of their hard-earned money. We have already advanced several pieces of legislation to accomplish this, including measures to provide property tax relief for Montanans using money that tourists pay when they visit and increasing transparency on local property tax levies that are up to voters.

In addition to providing tax relief, we are also focused on making housing more affordable and available so that Montana families can find a home. The Senate has passed a handful of bipartisan pro-housing bills this session in an effort to continue the “Montana Miracle” on housing policy that we started last session. These reforms are designed to increase the supply of affordable and attainable housing without urban sprawl that would decimate our agricultural lands and cherished open space.

Moreover, we passed legislation to protect private property, such as a bill to make squatting a criminal offense, safeguarding Montanans against the illegal takeover of their homes. We also passed legislation to revise zoning laws to favor more freedom to use your own property.

To make sure that the laws we pass are not unduly shot down by overreaching courts, we are also advancing a series of important judicial reform bills. We passed legislation to bolster honesty in our judicial races by having judge candidates transparently declare their political affiliations and advanced a bill to create a new Government Claims Court to expeditiously resolve critical constitutional cases while easing the workload of other courts, among many other reforms.

After the “transmittal break” at the halfway point of the session, we’re looking forward to taking up reforms proposed by the House of Representatives on education and school funding, reviewing every detail of the state budget, and fulfilling the Senate’s constitutional duty to confirm gubernatorial appointments.

You can stay informed about our work in the second half of the session by subscribing to our newsletter or tracking legislation at bills.legmt.gov. It has never been easier to stay engaged and watch as we make — or rather, keep — Montana great.

Sen. Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, is the president of the Montana Senate; Sen. Ken Bogner, R-Miles City, is the president Pro Tempore; Sen. Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, is the Senate Majority Leader; Sens. Sue Vinton, Barry Usher, Daniel Zolnikov and Dennis Lenz are the Senate’s majority whips.

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Montana

Montana FWP opens applications for 2026 hunting access programs

Published

9 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

22 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.