Montana
Bobcat Women Hold Blue-Gold Scrimmage Wednesday – Montana State University Athletics
By March, her words came to fruition as the Bobcats recorded a school record 30-4 slate, won the Big Sky Conference regular season and tournament titles, and made the program’s fourth NCAA Championship appearance.
Fast forward 365 days, and Binford has the 2025-26 edition of Montana State women’s basketball headed the same direction.
“I think every coach would like to progress a little faster than we are, but the effort’s been great,” said Binford, who enters her 21st season with the Blue and Gold. “Each week we have gotten better. We are moving in the right direction. We’ve started to build some chemistry, and we see areas that are going to be strong. This team is amazingly fast and we’re working on getting that fine balance of being fast without being rushed.”
Binford gets her first glimpse of the Bobcats’ in-game as they face their men’s scout team in the annual Blue-Gold Scrimmage, Wednesday at 7 p.m., in Worthington Arena. The scrimmage is free and open to the public.
“The big thing we want out of Blue-Gold is to get our transition defense established,” she said. “The last few years our identity has been defense. Last year’s team took this tremendous leap of what we were capable of doing in the backcourt. A lot of that impact was maximizing our depth. I believe we are even faster this year, and we want to be able to do what we love to do on the defensive end.”
Offensively, the Bobcats must fill the shoes of Big Sky Conference MVP Esmeralda Morales, who poured in 15.4 points per game and connected on 79 three-pointers, along with all-conference forward Marah Dykstra.
According to Binford, scoring will come from different areas.
“We need to get at least a percentage of our offense from defense,” Binford said. “That’s where it has to start. But I do feel our scoring will be as balanced as ever. We’ll take the non-conference to see which rotations work best and tweak things as needed. I do feel like it could be different kids scoring each night.”
MSU returns seven letterwinners, including Taylee Chirrick the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year, along with six newcomers. The Bobcats play two exhibition games (Oct. 27 & 30) before opening the season against Carroll College, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
Montana
Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Jan. 8, 2026
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
05-15-20-28, Bonus: 16
Check Big Sky Bonus 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
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.
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