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Former Montana Grizzly running back Joey Counts dies at age 31

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Former Montana Grizzly running back Joey Counts dies at age 31


MISSOULA — Former University of Montana running back Joey Counts, best known by Griz fans for his dramatic winning touchdown in a stunning home triumph over North Dakota State nine years ago, has died.

An announcement was made online Friday by his employer, the Gilbert (Arizona) Fire Department. 

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Joey Counts, a dedicated officer with the Gilbert Fire Department, who tragically passed away in Chandler, Arizona. Joey’s untimely death leaves an irreplaceable void in the lives of his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire community he served so selflessly. While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his life, his contributions to the community, and the unwavering dedication he demonstrated throughout his career.”

No cause of death was given.

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Longtime fans of Griz football will likely never forget Counts’ short TD burst with two seconds left in a late August 2015 game against then-four-time defending FCS champion NDSU. Montana upset the top-ranked, Carson-Wentz-led Bison, 38-35, under smoky skies in a game that aired on ESPN.

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It was the moment of a lifetime for Counts, who missed all of 2014 with a foot injury and was held of out of much of 2015 fall camp, too.

“I can’t believe it,” said Counts, a locker room favorite for his boisterous attitude, after the game. “There’s a lot of heart and perseverance on this team and it was calm; everybody knew what they had to do.

“We all figured they were gonna pinch down pretty hard. I just saw some light and I took it.”

Counts was on the Montana roster from 2012 to 2016. His employer conveyed Friday what he meant to colleagues and his community in his professional life.

“Joey’s career as a firefighter and officer with the Gilbert Fire Department was defined by his commitment to serving the people of his community. He was not just a firefighter; he was a true hero. Joey ran toward danger when others were running away, and his bravery in the face of adversity was an inspiration to all who knew him. Whether responding to fires, medical emergencies, or other crises, Joey remained calm, focused, and compassionate in his work.”

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To read a tribute to Counts by his employer, log on to: memorialeditorial.cfd/death-joey-counts-obituary-chandler-az-gilbert-fire-department-officer-is-dead/

Bill Speltz is Missoulian sports editor. Contact him at bill.speltz@406mtsports.com or on Twitter @billspeltz

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Emergency travel only in northeast Montana (video)

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Emergency travel only in northeast Montana (video)


GREAT FALLS — Blowing dust is becoming a major issue again on the Hi-Line as winds gust to 60–70+ mph, especially from Phillips County eastward.

Visibility has dropped to very low to near zero at times, and there have already been several crashes east of Glasgow near Nashua and Frazer. People are urged to avoid unnecessary travel in these areas if possible.

This is a very dangerous situation for travelers across northeast Montana. Blowing dust is causing near-zero visibility in many locations.

WATCH:

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Hazardous driving along the Hi-Line

Highway 2 from Dodson to Wolf Point is closed until further notice, with only emergency travel allowed in these areas.

All red- and black-shaded roads and highways are experiencing severe driving conditions because of the low visibility.

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MDT

Click here to visit the MDT 511 site.



(WEDNESDAY, MAY 13) A fast-moving front rolled through north-central Montana on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The powerful winds gusted to more than 80 miles per hour in some areas.

Shaylan Verploegen shared video from north of Havre, showing a huge “wall” of dirt and dust in a unique weather phenomenon known as a haboob; watch the video and see other viewer photos here:

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Fast-moving front kicks up walls of dust

The strong winds caused some damage. There were trees blown over in Havre, Great Falls, and Helena. Part of a roof was blown off in Box Elder, and there were several carports that were destroyed in Havre. There were also numerous power outages reported across the area, some of which lasted for several hours.

Check out more photos and videos shared by KRTV viewers:

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Use the form below to share your photos and/or videos with KRTV


By submitting any photo(s) and/or video(s) (collectively referred to as the “Content”), I attest that I am the creator and owner of the Content, including all copyright and other rights in the Content. I authorize Scripps Media, Inc. (“Scripps”) to use, edit, reproduce, distribute, publicly display, share, and/or transmit the Content worldwide, in perpetuity, and without restriction, including without limitation television broadcasts, digital/websites, social media, printed publication, promotions, commercial uses, and by or on any other media source or platform whether now existing or later devised, whether owned or operated by Scripps, Scripps’ parents, subsidiaries or affiliated companies, or third parties (collectively, the “Scripps Parties”) for their further use, distribution, public display, and transmission. I understand that I will not be compensated under any circumstance for providing Content to Scripps or for any use of the Content by the Scripps Parties. I waive any right to inspect and/or approve such use of the Content. I have received written permission to submit the Content for use by the Scripps Parties from any recognizable individuals that may appear in the Content. I attest that the Scripps Parties’ use of the Content will not infringe on any third party’s intellectual property rights. I release, discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Scripps Parties from any and all liability, loss, damage (including consequential damages), costs, loss of services, claims, including without limitation attorney’s fees, arising from or related to the Scripps Parties’ use of the Content. I understand and agree that Scripps is under no obligation to use the Content. I represent that I am at least 18 years of age and am fully competent to provide this permission and to make these representations.





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Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for May 13, 2026

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 13, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from May 13 drawing

22-31-52-56-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lotto America numbers from May 13 drawing

17-18-28-37-42, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 13 drawing

02-06-10-16, Bonus: 16

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 13 drawing

08-13-39-63-66, Powerball: 02

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Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from May 13 drawing

02-04-13-17-32

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 13 drawing

21-24-29-42-49, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

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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.



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Public Meeting at Hub on Smith Concerning Montana Water Call Prompting Priority Administration in Tongue Basin

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Public Meeting at Hub on Smith Concerning Montana Water Call Prompting Priority Administration in Tongue Basin


Wyoming State Engineer Brandon Gebhart announced that on May 5, 2026, the State of Montana placed a call under Article V(A) of the Yellowstone River Compact to fill Tongue River Reservoir in Montana. As a result, priority administration is in effect on post-1950 water rights in Wyoming that divert water from the Tongue River and its tributaries and are not excluded from the compact.

A public meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, in the dining room of The Hub on Smith. Attendees are asked to enter on the north side of the building.

The Tongue River Basin has been experiencing drought conditions over the past year with historically low winter snowpack and streamflow conditions. According to the release, those conditions led to Montana’s interstate call and prompted the administration of the Tongue River Basin in Wyoming.

The priority administration will affect post-1950 water rights within the Tongue River Basin, including reservoir storage, stream diversions and groundwater withdrawals, all of which affect river flows. Post-1950 water rights will be regulated off or prevented from turning on. Wyoming hydrographer-commissioners will continue to administer reservoir storage and post-1950 diversions throughout the spring and work with affected water users until the administration is lifted.

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As provided in the compact, domestic uses less than one-half acre in area and livestock uses, including stock reservoirs less than 20 acre-feet in capacity, are excluded from this administration. The release noted these excluded rights could be subject to future regulation to satisfy priority calls by senior Wyoming water rights.

Beginning May 5, 2026, Wyoming hydrographer-commissioners have worked to record the current storage levels of reservoirs with post-1950 water rights. Going forward, those reservoirs can continue to accrue storage so long as post-1950 storage gained after the interstate call on May 5 remains in storage until either the water is released to satisfy the Montana call or Montana lifts the call because Tongue River Reservoir will fill.

Reservoirs with unfulfilled pre-1950 water rights can continue to store water and that storage will not be subject to release to satisfy Montana’s call. However, that storage and other direct flow rights could be subject to regulation to satisfy priority calls by senior Wyoming water rights.

The priority administration will be carried out pursuant to state law by hydrographer-commissioners assigned to various portions of the Tongue River Basin, working under the direction of Division II Superintendent David Schroeder.

The Wyoming State Engineer’s Office can be contacted at:

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Jack Morey, deputy state engineer, 307-777-5032, jack.morey2@wyo.gov

David Schroeder, Division II superintendent, 307-674-7012, d.schroeder@wyo.gov

Jeff Cowley, interstate streams administrator, 307-777-1942, jeff.cowley@wyo.gov




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