Montana
A Montana man pleads not guilty and claims self-defense in the death of a man killed in a tent
BOZEMAN, Mont. — A self-described white supremacist charged with killing a man in a tent in southwestern Montana has pleaded not guilty to deliberate homicide and claims self-defense, while investigators say there are inconsistencies in the defendant’s story.
Daren Christopher Abbey, 41, told District Court Judge Peter Ohman on Tuesday: “I definitely plead not guilty. Dustin Kjersem tried to kill me,” the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported. He also pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence.
Kjersem’s death in October was initially reported as a bear attack after his girlfriend found his body in a tent south of Bozeman near Big Sky on Oct. 12.
Investigators found shot glasses and beer cans in the tent that suggested someone else had been with Kjersem on Oct. 10. DNA tests on a beer can matched two people in the state’s criminal database, Daren Abbey and someone believed to be Abbey’s twin brother, court records say. The brother was ruled out because he was serving a prison sentence.
Abbey told investigators that Kjersem, 35, threatened him and his dog with a gun and he attacked Kjersem, first with a block of wood and then by stabbing him in the neck with a screwdriver. Abbey initially failed to tell investigators he used an axe in the attack as well, court records say. He also told officers he found the axe both inside and outside the tent. He told officers he rinsed the axe and screwdriver off in the creek, court records say.
Abbey said he did not report the fight because he had a felony record. He acknowledged taking a cooler of beer and guns from the crime scene and then returning the next day to look for a beanie he believed he might have left there. He told investigators he also took two cellphones and items out of Kjersem’s truck, charging documents say.
An inmate information document released by Gallatin County says Abbey listed an organizational affiliation with white supremacists, while state Department of Corrections records say his tattoos include an iron cross with a swastika.
Abbey is jailed with his bail set at $1.5 million.
BUTTE — Butte’s annual Montana Folk Festival is drawing crowds to six stages set up across Uptown Butte, bringing art, food and music — along with some high temperatures.
WATCH: Heat can’t stop the Montana Folk Festival in Butte
Montana Folk Festival brings heat along with music, food, and art
Reggae artist Prezident Brown and his band iSound are among the performers taking the heat in stride. Brown said the dry mountain climate is nothing compared to what he’s used to back home.
“I can honestly say hundred degrees in Jamaica is a whole different story.”
When asked how he’s staying cool, Brown kept it simple.
“Yeah! I just do what I do. I drink water…orange juice!”
The Legendary Ingramettes, a gospel group from Virginia, are also finding Butte’s climate agreeable.
“We have a lot of humidity, and Butte does not. So, I’m enjoying the heat! The dry air!!”
MTN NEWS
With temperatures peaking around 90 degrees, food vendors are feeling the warmth more directly. Bozeman-based vendor Vickie Backus is working over a hot grill, serving pierogies, a food originating in Eastern Europe.
I ask her how she is keeping cool.
“You know? I’m not. I’m drinking lots of water. I have sunscreen on and I’m just leaning into it.”
Festival-goers wandering between the six stages are largely dressed for the heat — big hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses. At least one person is going barefoot —first-time festival attendee Sean Villere from Missoula says the pavement doesn’t phase him.
MTN NEWS
“It’s not that hot yet. I think it might get hotter, but it’s okay right now.”
Villere said he hasn’t worn shoes in a couple of years, including through two winters, and the callouses he’s built up protect his feet from the hot pavement.
Over the years, extreme weather has impacted festival attendance, but this year most people seem comfortable with the conditions.
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.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 10 drawing
02-39-44-46-56, Mega Ball: 23
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from July 10 drawing
10-13-23-30, Bonus: 02
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 10 drawing
14-42-46-47-57, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life 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.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
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.
DILLON, Mont. — Low oxygen levels and excess nutrients led the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to officially determine that the Big Hole River is impaired, state officials said.
The conditions are affecting aquatic life and recreation along parts of the river. Officials said the nutrients can fuel algae and plant growth, especially during hot, low-water conditions.
The Big Hole has been the focus of water quality restoration efforts for decades, with more than $1.3 million in federal Clean Water Act funding invested since 1988.
The impairment will be included in DEQ’s next water quality report. Restoration work and funding for the watershed will continue.
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