The Montana Department of Commerce is polling people on new designs for the state’s “Welcome to Montana” highway signs that greet travelers at the border.

This spring, Gov. Greg Gianforte and Commerce unveiled an update of the state’s branding — the first update in more than a decade — with a new logo, color scheme and imagery.

Now, the department is looking to revamp the state’s highway signs to reflect the new look.

“There’s no better feeling than crossing state lines back home to Montana,” Gianforte said in a press release. “Our highway signs give our families, friends and visitors the warm welcome they deserve. I am excited to see what Montanans choose.”

Three designs have been selected for Montanans to vote on, each incorporating aspects of the new brand and elements of the state.

Mitch Staley, chief marketing officer for the state, describes the designs as a “1990’s style license plate line, the middle design that is very similar to the welcome signs previously displayed prior to 2014 and a new design that features the mountains and badlands landscapes that make our entire state a one of one.”

“Commerce has opted to have one design for all state entrances for brand recognition and strength. We’re confident these signs will be as iconic as signs of the past,” Staley told the Daily Montanan.

Commerce’s website for voting on the sign designs, visitmt.com/welcome-sign is live now and voting is open until Dec. 31, 2025.

Current highway welcome signs were installed in 2014, according to the department. The Montana Department of Transportation will work to install the new welcome signs next spring once weather and access allows, as many of the state’s border crossings are on mountain passes.

Currently, the state’s welcome sign designs include various animals, including black bears, pronghorn and elk, and vivid landscapes including Glacier National Park, riverscapes and prairie lands.

BELGRADE — A Belgrade woman was arrested last weekend, accused of stealing more than $4,000 worth of goods from the Albertsons in Belgrade over the course of more than 40 separate incidents.

So, is retail theft on the rise?

“Theft has always been wrong,” said Brad Griffin, President of the Montana Retail Association.

Griffin said that since 2017, when the Montana Legislature passed House Bill 133, which significantly reduced penalties for misdemeanor theft, shoplifting has increased.

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House Bill 133 eliminated jail time and allowed fines of up to $500 for first-time offenders.

“We did see a rise in theft from that point forward,” Griffin said.

Montana Retail Theft Rises: New Laws Aim to Deter Shoplifters

Belgrade woman arrested for stealing $4,000 from grocery store highlights Montana theft trends

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Under that bill, offenders could steal up to $1,500 without facing jail time.

“Predictably, we saw an increase in theft because you could steal up to fifteen hundred dollars with impunity,” he added.

A few months ago, Senate Bill 19 became law. Now, criminals can expect up to six months in jail or a fine of $1,500 for their first and second offenses.

“I think it’s come as a big surprise to a lot of habitual criminals who never expected that,” Griffin said.

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Although Brad said it’s too early to measure whether or not Senate Bill 19 has helped improve retail theft, he noted that retailers are already stepping up prevention efforts:

“Asset protection people are being more present in their stores, looking for suspicious behavior.”

Belgrade Police Chief Dustin Lensing said he hasn’t noticed a spike in theft related to the temporary loss of federal benefits during the recent government shutdown.

“I think nationwide, there’s kind of been an increasing trend in retail theft,” Lensing said. “Here locally, with an increasing population, more businesses, and more people, we’ll always see an uptick.”

Lensing emphasized that while public awareness is helpful, safety should always come first, and witnesses or retail employees should not approach criminals.

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“We always just ask people to be a really good witness, so when we do show up, they can give us the information we need to solve the case.”

The Montana Grizzlies square off against the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET.

See more info below, including how to watch this game on SEC Network+.

To prepare for this college hoops matchup, here is what you need to get ready for Tuesday’s action.

Texas A&M vs. Montana: How to watch on TV or live stream

• Game day: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
• Game time: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: College Station, Texas
• Arena: Reed Arena
• TV Channel: SEC Network+
• Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Texas A&M vs. Montana stats and trends

• Texas A&M scored 74.6 points per game and gave up 68.7 last year, making them 151st in college basketball on offense and 74th defensively.
• Last year, the Aggies were eighth-best in college basketball in rebounds (36.9 per game) and 36th in rebounds conceded (28.5).
• Last season Texas A&M was ranked 295th in the country in assists with 11.9 per game.
• Last year, the Aggies were 232nd in college basketball in turnovers committed (11.6 per game) and 112th in turnovers forced (12).
• Last season, Texas A&M was 260th in the nation in 3-point makes (7 per game) and 332nd in 3-point percentage (30.7%).
• The Aggies were 305th in the country in 3-pointers conceded (8.5 per game) and 159th in 3-point percentage defensively (33.3%) last season.
• Texas A&M attempted 62.3% of its shots from inside the 3-point line, and 37.7% from beyond it last season. In terms of makes, 72.3% of Texas A&M’s buckets were 2-pointers, and 27.7% were 3-pointers.