Montana
‘Freedom Week’ likely coming to Montana schools | Explore Big Sky
Arbor Day, Flag Day, Freedom Week? Bill requiring schools to educate students about sacrifices made for the U.S. awaiting governor’s signature.
By Jordan Hansen DAILY MONTANAN
A weeklong celebration of “freedom” is likely coming to Montana schools under a law passed during the 2025 legislative session.
House Bill 591 adds “Freedom Week” to a list of codified “commemorative days” that includes Washington’s birthday, Arbor Day, Flag Day and American Indian Heritage Day, among several others. All other commemorative days are for a single day, while the celebration of freedom will last a week.
The law, which is awaiting Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signature, requires school districts to adopt a policy to “ensure the effective conduct of appropriate exercises for the commemorative days,” according to the legislation.
Rep. Greg Oblander, R-Billings, brought the legislation and said its intent “is to educate students about the sacrifices that were made for freedom in the founding of the United States” during a House hearing on the bill in February.
Schools are already doing much of the work the bill seeks to accomplish, said Gordon Klasna, who is the executive director of secondary education for the Billings Public Schools. Klasna oversees the middle and high schools in the district.
Klasna said the district will look for guidance from the Montana School Boards Association as well as its attorneys as they adopt the new bill. The district was keeping an eye on the bill during the process, as it does with other legislation impacting schools, he added.
No funding was attached to the bill, but the new commemorative week won’t be a cost to the district, and Klasna added it is, “something that we can easily do.” As he understands it, the bill directs districts to commemorate sacrifices made for this country while also “expounding” upon the values the United States was founded on.
The bill initially received pushback from the Montana School Boards Association in the form it was presented to the House. Originally, the bill asked for three hours of study on the U.S. Constitution, the Montana Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
As originally written, it would have also required “school districts to ensure that pupils in grades 3 through 12 recite a certain passage from the Declaration of Independence.”
That language was amended out. During the Senate hearing for the bill, both the Montana School Boards Association and Office of Public Instruction supported the legislation.
“We think we struck the right balance with the amendments here, without taking any of the value of what Representative Oblander brought to the table in the first place,” said Lance Melton, with the school boards association.
If signed, Freedom Week would be the last full week of September.
Montana
Oregon women earn 11th victory with win over Montana State
Oregon women’s basketball moved to 11-1 following a 69-44 win over Montana State Sunday at Matthew Knight Arena.
Four of Oregon’s starters scored in double figures, led by guard Sofia Bell’s 15 points.
Mia Jacobs added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Katie Fiso and Ari Long each scored 10 points. Fiso added five assists.
Oregon (11-1) struggled shooting, hitting 19 of 58 field goal attempts (32.8%), including 9 of 31 from three-point range (29%). However, those numbers were mainly dragged down in the fourth quarter when the game was well in hand.
Oregon, which led 37-14 at halftime, shot just 22.2% from the field in the final quarter and missed all seven of its three-point attempts. MSU won the quarter 16-11.
Bell went 4 of 8 from long distance, Jacobs went 3 of 8 and Long made both of her three-point attempts. The rest of the team went 0-for-13.
Montana State (6-3) received 14 points and four rebounds from Jamison Philip. The Bobcats shot 1 of 19 from three-point range and committed 23 turnovers that the Ducks converted into 25 points.
Next up: The Ducks host Portland (7-4) at 11 a.m. on Thursday. The Pilots defeated Kent State 88-78 on Sunday.
Montana
FCS playoffs roundup: There will be an all-Montana semifinal in the FCS playoffs
MISSOULA, Mont. — The No. 3-seeded Montana Grizzlies proved too much to handle on Saturday afternoon, overwhelming the No. 11-seeded South Dakota Coyotes 52-22 in the FCS playoff quarterfinals at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
The Griz used the home crowd to their advantage in an all-around dominant performance in all three phases of the game in front of a home crowd of 22,750 fans. The win sets up an all-Montana semifinal in the FCS playoffs as the Griz will go to face No. 2 Montana State on Dec. 20 for a trip to the national championship.
Montana’s Keali’i Ah Yat had 305 yards and three passing scores, as Michael Wortham had 11 catches for 201 yards and two receiving touchdowns, as well as 43 rushing yards and a score.
All told, the Coyotes had 63 plays on offense for 351 total yards, but the 10 offensive penalties seemed to be a key difference in finding any consistency.
Montana State advances with decisive victory
BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana State ran for 227 yards as the Bobcats dominated the third-ranked rush defense in the country en route to beating Stephen F. Austin 44-28 on Friday to advance to the FCS playoff semifinals.
Adam Jones finished with 117 yards and Julius Davis had 96 on the ground for Montana State, which jumped out to a 24-0 lead. Justin Lamson had 246 passing yards for the Bobcats.
Villanova holds down Tarleton State to advance
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Villanova overcame a 14-0 deficit as the No. 12 Wildcats beat fourth-seeded Tarleton State 26-21 on Saturday.
It is the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2010 that ‘Nova advanced to the semifinals. The Wildcats held Tarleton State to 56 yards rushing and 266 total yards while racking up 426 overall on their own.
Ja’briel Mace had a 47-yard run to trim Tarleton State’s lead to 21-19 in the third quarter and Braden Reed hauled in an 11-yard TD pass in the fourth to complete the comeback.
Dawson runs Illinois State past UC Davis
DAVIS, Calif. — Victor Dawson carried 29 times for 148 yards and Tommy Rittenhouse threw a 93-yard TD pass as Illinois State beat UC-Davis 42-31 on Saturday, one week after the Redbirds upset North Dakota State in Fargo.
Rittenhouse finished 15 of 20 for 266 yards and three touchdowns and one interception. Daniel Sobkowicz had six receptions for 150 yards and two scores.
Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick was 24 of 41 for 402 yards with three touchdowns and a pick.
Trey Houchin of the Mitchell Republic contributed to this report.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
Montana
Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 13, 2025
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 13, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
01-28-31-57-58, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
12-18-19-24-35, Lucky Ball: 17
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
20-26-27-32-46, Star Ball: 08, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
04-06-11-31, Bonus: 09
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
01-16-18-31-37
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.
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