Montana
Fentanyl still on the rise in Northwest Montana
KALISPELL — Northwest Montana Drug Task Force Commander Alan Brooks said they seized their first load of fentanyl in Northwest Montana back in 2021.
“And I think there was 1,900 pills in that seizure alone, over the last four years we’ve seen that dramatically increase,” said Brooks.
“Probably seized close to 200,000 dosage units last year, where it was something that we didn’t even deal with before, now it makes up about 90% of our work,” added Brooks.
The Northwest Montana Drug Task Force is a partnership with regional law enforcement, tribal communities and the Department of Homeland Security to stop the flow of dangerous drugs entering Montana.
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Fentanyl still on the rise in Northwest Montana
“Narcotics, dealing with other drugs, methamphetamine is still large, but the fentanyl one is the one that’s impactful obviously because of the accompanying overdoses that are growing and tragic,” said Brooks.
Brooks said the majority of fentanyl they seize originates from Mexico and works its way up the West Coast before entering Montana.
“Now we’re seeing a lot of powder, so the raw fentanyl compound. And that’s obviously alarming for us, there’s a greater risk of overdose, the effect on the street is a lot stronger,” Brooks noted.
Brooks said drug trafficking organizations are preying on Montanans as they see a high demand for product and fewer law enforcement patrols compared to other states.
He calls it a modern-day gold rush for drug traffickers.
Watch related coverage: Montana drug task force talks about drugs coming from Canada into Montana
Montana drug task force talks about drugs coming from Canada into Montana
“We’re seeing profit margins increase a hundred-fold, dosage units that would cost less than a dollar down in southern states are going as much as $10 to $20 on the reservations, so the price margin is huge,” said Brooks.
Brooks said the fentanyl they are seizing is extremely potent, leading to an increase in overdoses, especially in young adults and teenagers.
“Where we’ve had overdoses with juveniles and that’s just obviously something that we haven’t navigated in years prior, but because of the dangers in potency associated with this drug, it’s now occurring.”
The task force — which covers an area from Lake County all the way to the Canadian border — relies on grant funding to operate. Brooks said more support on a city, county and state level would help them fight this epidemic.
“Many a times I’ve sat with many a family and many of individuals who become victim to this and wondering what more can be done, and again having more resources is going to be helpful.”
Montana
Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Nov. 27, 2025
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 27, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 27 drawing
08-12-13-16-45, Lucky Ball: 13
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Nov. 27 drawing
05-14-15-21, Bonus: 15
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 State’s Brent Vigen says he’s staying as Bobcats football coach
Montana State University football coach Brent Vigen announced Wednesday he is staying in Bozeman.
The Bobcat coach, who led his team to a second consecutive Big Sky Conference title this season, wrote on social media that he spoke with the school’s athletics director, Leon Costello, and chose to remain in place.
“I’m honored for the opportunity to keep leading this team and to continue this journey as the head football coach,” Vigen wrote in a statement posted on Montana State social media platforms.
Vigen recently earned his third Big Sky Coach of the Year award after leading the Bobcats to the No. 2 seed in the upcoming FCS playoffs. The Cats will play the winner of the Yale-Youngstown State game on Dec. 6 in Bozeman.
According to multiple media reports, Vigen was a finalist for the head coaching job at Oregon State University.
At Montana State, Vigen has compiled 57-12 overall record, including a 37-3 record in Big Sky play. He guided the Bobcats to the FCS national championship game in 2024.
Montana
Former judge-elect in northwest Montana pleads guilty to felony drug charges
KALISPELL, Mont. — A former northwest Montana judge-elect has pleaded guilty to three felony drug charges and agreed to a three-year deferred sentence after admitting he arranged to buy cocaine while working as a criminal defense attorney and running for district judge.
Kenneth Britton “Britt” Cotter of Polson entered guilty pleas in Lake County District Court to one count of solicitation to commit criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and two counts of attempted criminal possession of dangerous drugs, all felonies, under an acknowledgment and waiver of rights and plea agreement filed Nov. 21 in the 20th Judicial District. The case is assigned to District Judge Jennifer Lint.
Cotter was elected without opposition in November 2024 to the 20th Judicial District seat, which covers Lake and Sanders counties, but has since resigned the judgeship. In the plea document, Cotter states he reviewed the investigative file and potential penalties, understands his trial rights and waives them as part of the agreement.
Under the deal, prosecutors and Cotter will jointly recommend that he receive a three-year deferred imposition of sentence on each count, to run concurrently, allowing the felonies to be dismissed if he complies with all conditions. The agreement notes Cotter originally faced a maximum of 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine on the solicitation charge and up to five years and $5,000 on each possession count.
The plea agreement requires Cotter to submit to a new chemical dependency evaluation, complete any recommended treatment, abstain from alcohol, marijuana and illegal drugs absent a prescription, and avoid bars and marijuana dispensaries. He must also cooperate with the Montana Office of Disciplinary Counsel regarding his law license, comply with any probation and monitoring conditions, avoid contact with witnesses, submit a DNA sample and pay prosecution costs, surcharges and fees tied to pretrial drug testing and preparation of a presentence investigation report.
The state’s earlier affidavit in support of filing the charges describes a series of text messages and Venmo payments between Cotter and a Jane Doe between March 2022 and late 2022 that investigators say show him repeatedly arranging to buy cocaine, including payments of $900 and $1,200 labeled as “legal fees” and “work.” It also recounts a November 2024 interview in which Flathead County District Court Judge Amy Eddy told agents Cotter admitted to her that he had bought cocaine from Jane Doe “a long time ago” and said he stopped when he decided to run for judge, adding that he did not want to embarrass the judiciary.
Cotter previously had been ordered to appear for arraignment Jan. 8, 2025, after the state sought leave in December 2024 to file the information formally charging him. The governor’s office received notice of the impending vacancy in the 20th Judicial District in late December; current Judge John Mercer, appointed after Judge Deborah Kim Christopher resigned in April 2024, serves through Jan. 5.
Cotter’s sentencing is set for January 9, 2026.
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