Montana
UM Western’s Tori Murnion receives Montana Athletes in Service Award
MISSOULA, Mont. — The Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement has recognized 14 student-athletes with the 2025 Montana Athletes in Service Award, including Montana Western’s Tori Murnion. The annual award highlights one student from each affiliate campus who demonstrates exceptional commitment to community service while competing in collegiate sports. Recipients, honored during halftime at the Brawl of the Wild on Nov. 22, include Murnion, a senior from Jordan who is active in student government, local rodeo events, and peer mentoring.
Full release:
The Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE) has recognized fourteen student-athletes with the Montana Athletes in Service Award (MAIS), including Montana Western’s Tori Murnion.
For over 30 years, the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement and its campus affiliates have supported students, faculty, and communities across Montana with programs that encourage and recognize community service. The CEO Council of the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement is proud to honor these athletes whose extensive volunteer efforts have greatly benefited their communities.
Each year, the MCNCE honors one student-athlete from each affiliate campus across the state who demonstrates exceptional dedication to serving their community while pursuing their college degrees or certificates and competing in collegiate sports. The 2025 MAIS award recipients are:
Tori Murnion – University of Montana Western – Rodeo
Kayle Addison – Little Big Horn College – Basketball
Cameron “Cam” Blevins – Miles Community College – Volleyball
Kennedy Venner – Carroll College – Softball
Tayla Undem – Dawson Community College – Softball
Walker Burshia – Fort Peck Community College – Basketball
Owen Smith – MSU–Northern – Basketball
Colton Seymour – Salish Kootenai College – Basketball
Justus Peterson – Montana Tech – Football, Track & Field, Rodeo
Blaine Shaw – Flathead Valley Community College – Logger Sports
Brooke Stayner – University of Montana – Track & Field
Nova Rosman – MSU Billings – Cheer & Stunt
Amelio Blackhorse – Chief Dull Knife College – Basketball, Rodeo
Taylee Chirrick – Montana State University – Basketball
The recipients were recognized during halftime of the 2025 Brawl of the Wild game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on November 22.
Tori Murnion is a senior from Jordan, Montana, majoring in Business. Outside of rodeo, Tori is a senator in the Associated Students of Montana Western (ASUMW), an organizer for the Labor Day Rodeo in Dillon, and a peer mentor.
Tori exemplifies a strong commitment to service, both in and out of the arena. Her dedication to helping others—whether through supporting her community or mentoring —makes her an inspiring role model for her peers and the broader community.
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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