Montana

‘Freedom Week’ likely coming to Montana schools | Explore Big Sky

Published

8 months ago

May 9, 2025

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‘Freedom Week’ likely coming to Montana schools | Explore Big Sky

Arbor Day, Flag Day, Freedom Week? Bill requiring schools to educate students about sacrifices made for the U.S. awaiting governor’s signature.

By Jordan Hansen DAILY MONTANAN

A weeklong celebration of “freedom” is likely coming to Montana schools under a law passed during the 2025 legislative session.

House Bill 591 adds “Freedom Week” to a list of codified “commemorative days” that includes Washington’s birthday, Arbor Day, Flag Day and American Indian Heritage Day, among several others. All other commemorative days are for a single day, while the celebration of freedom will last a week.

The law, which is awaiting Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signature, requires school districts to adopt a policy to “ensure the effective conduct of appropriate exercises for the commemorative days,” according to the legislation.

Rep. Greg Oblander, R-Billings, brought the legislation and said its intent “is to educate students about the sacrifices that were made for freedom in the founding of the United States” during a House hearing on the bill in February.

Schools are already doing much of the work the bill seeks to accomplish, said Gordon Klasna, who is the executive director of secondary education for the Billings Public Schools. Klasna oversees the middle and high schools in the district.

Klasna said the district will look for guidance from the Montana School Boards Association as well as its attorneys as they adopt the new bill. The district was keeping an eye on the bill during the process, as it does with other legislation impacting schools, he added.

No funding was attached to the bill, but the new commemorative week won’t be a cost to the district, and Klasna added it is, “something that we can easily do.” As he understands it, the bill directs districts to commemorate sacrifices made for this country while also “expounding” upon the values the United States was founded on.

The bill initially received pushback from the Montana School Boards Association in the form it was presented to the House. Originally, the bill asked for three hours of study on the U.S. Constitution, the Montana Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

As originally written, it would have also required “school districts to ensure that pupils in grades 3 through 12 recite a certain passage from the Declaration of Independence.”

That language was amended out. During the Senate hearing for the bill, both the Montana School Boards Association and Office of Public Instruction supported the legislation.

“We think we struck the right balance with the amendments here, without taking any of the value of what Representative Oblander brought to the table in the first place,” said Lance Melton, with the school boards association.

If signed, Freedom Week would be the last full week of September.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 3, 2026

Published

7 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

01-02-28-30-43, Lucky Ball: 07

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

03-04-05-25-42, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

01-17-22-23, Bonus: 15

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

28-40-52-53-54, Powerball: 12

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

23-32-36-40-42

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.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Dec. 28, 2025

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 28 drawing

12-17-25-34-42, Lucky Ball: 09

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 28 drawing

04-19-22-23, Bonus: 01

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.

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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Montana

Missing Montana man pinged in southeastern Idaho – East Idaho News

Published

7 days ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

Missing Montana man pinged in southeastern Idaho – East Idaho News

POCATELLO — The Power County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about a missing man from Montana.

Kee Ray Begay Jr., 53, last spoke to his wife on Dec. 21, 2025, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

Power County law enforcement pinged his phone and it showed him being near westbound Interstate 86 around milepost 28. Begay is driving a black 2014 Dodge Avenger.

He is diabetic and does not have his medication.

Begay is Native American with brown hair and eyes. He is 5’9′ and weighs 220 pounds.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Begay, please contact the Power County Sheriff’s Office, Jerome County Sheriff’s Office, or the Gallatin County, Montana, Sheriff’s Office.

No other information was available.