Montana
Highway ad sign costs double, pricing out Montana business owners
BILLINGS— Sponsorship of businesses on Montana highway exit signs have doubled in cost, pricing out some small business owners.
Montana Logos, which manages the signs, renegotiated its contract within the last year with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), which resulted in prices doubling for most customers. They refer to the signs as tourist-oriented directional signs (TODS).
Watch the report:
Highway ad sign costs double, pricing out Montana business owners
Transportation officials say they increased the costs to match rising costs. According to Bob Heiser, MDT Right of Way bureau chief, the department and Montana Logos have not increased costs for years.
“The contract was up for renewal this past year. And during that renewal process, we asked them to look at this program. And that’s when we discovered that there hadn’t been any rate changes in at least 21 years,” Heiser told MTN.
Heiser said the increased revenue will fund highway projects and other infrastructure.
“We feel it’s still an affordable way for some of those businesses to have some advertisement along our interstates,” he added.
Some business owners in Big Horn County disagree.
“I just don’t understand how a company can gouge small businesses. That wasn’t in my budget,” said Kristy Mastin, owner of the KOA campground in Hardin.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
She received an invoice for $4,800 in February to keep her business on the exit signs. She paid $2,400 last year for the same service.
“I was dumbfounded,” said Mastin.
Other campground owners in the county shared Mastin’s shock.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
“We can’t afford that as a small business to suddenly have one aspect of our advertising raised that much,” said Jamie Redger, owner of 7th Ranch RV Camp in Garryowen.
His costs quadrupled in a year, increasing from $1,200 to $4,800, after Montana Logos told him he had to pay to be on the signs for a full year. In the past, he had only paid for half the year.
“At this point, I’ve told Montana Logos that I don’t plan to renew with them,” said Redger.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
Another campground, Grandview Campground and RV Park, may be disappearing from the signs as well.
“We have to ask ourselves, what can we cut out? And Montana Logo is probably going to be it,” said the campground’s owner, Laurie Tschetter.
She is concerned about how the lack of advertising will affect the tourism industry in her community.
“We are kind of the backbone of bringing a lot of tourism dollars back into this state,” said Tschetter.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
The business owners are working with the Hardin Chamber of Commerce, in hopes the state will hear their voices and give them a grant.
“I want to support these businesses and our communities and whatever we need to do next, whether it’s a letter or taking it up a little higher. That’s all we can do,” said Alexandria Edwards, with the Hardin Chamber of Commerce.
The community is also starting to consider advertising alternatives.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
“It would be cheaper just to go get a billboard or put their money into something that would be more fruitful for them,” said Edwards.
“I’ve watched different advertising things go by the wayside. And maybe Montana Logos needs to find that out,” added Tschetter.
Montana Logos did not return multiple calls and messages from MTN News requesting comment.
Montana
Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition
GREAT FALLS — For Staff Sgt. Brianna St. Lawrence-Brody, service does not only happen in uniform.
Outside the gates of the base, she works at Benefis as a nurse, Great Falls Public Schools as a school nurse, and comes home as a wife and mom of four. For the Montana Air National Guard, she serves as a command post controller with the 120th Airlift Wing in Great Falls.
(WATCH: Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition)
Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition
This year, St. Lawrence-Brody was named the U.S. Air National Guard’s Outstanding Airman of the Year in the Non-Commissioned Officer category.
She said the recognition came as a surprise, especially because her path into the Guard started later than others.
“I joined very late in life,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “I joined the Guard right before I turned 40. So for me, every opportunity that’s presented, I want to take the bull by the horns and just run with it and do the best of my ability.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined the Guard after finishing nursing school. She said she went straight from nursing school into helping open a COVID unit, while also working at Benefis.
She said that experience was the start of one journey, but not the whole of what she wanted to accomplish.
St. Lawrence-Brody joined the Guard for the opportunities, the challenge and to help build a future for her four children.
“It’s a little bit of a competition for myself,” she said. “Like, if I can do it, why not try my best to achieve it?”
120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
As a command post controller, she assists in helping move information during emergencies and major events.
“Outside, obviously, I’m a nurse. Inside the Guard, I have nothing to do with the medical field, which is kind of amazing,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “It keeps me on my toes.”
She explained balancing the Guard, two civilian jobs and four children takes support from her family, her employers and her unit. She said Benefis and GFPS have been supportive of her military service.
Her nomination included her deployment experience, training work overseas and involvement across the wing. St. Lawrence-Brody said she deployed to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where she worked with an operations center supporting entities connected to Africa.
But, she says this recognition is not the finish line.
“This award, it’s not necessarily a landing pad for me,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “I want to use it as a springboard.”
120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
St. Lawrence-Brody hopes her story encourages others to keep taking on new opportunities, even when they feel uncertain.
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and be okay with doing things afraid,” she said. “I think when you get to be okay with doing things afraid, that’s where you’re going to find the growth.”
She has already won at the Air National Guard level, but she recently traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the broader Air Force Outstanding Airman of the Year process, which includes nominees from the Guard, Reserve and major commands across the Air Force.
Montana
Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for June 27, 2026
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 27, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 27 drawing
03-16-28-30-59, Powerball: 11, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 27 drawing
03-08-18-22-39, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from June 27 drawing
05-16-19-27, Bonus: 08
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 27 drawing
02-26-34-43-45, Powerball: 15
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from June 27 drawing
05-09-10-15-35
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 27 drawing
26-32-38-51-52, 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.
Montana
Iron (MN) HS ATH Isaiah Asuma Commits to Montana State
Iron (MN) Cherry High School athlete Isaiah Asuma announced his commitment to Montana State on Monday, adding to an already impressive recruiting class for the reigning FCS national champions.
“I committed to Montana State because I love what the football program has been and has to offer,” Asuma said. “I love Bozeman, and I really fell in love with the coaching staff and what they had for future plans for me. I really think they can develop me for the next level.”
The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder, who is also a standout basketball player for the Tigers, received an offer from the Bobcats on April 17, after speaking with head coach Brent Vigen when he was in Bozeman for a Junior Day.
“My family and I had a conversation with Coach Vigen in his office, and he was just telling me that he really liked my game and really thought I could make an impact for them! That was when he offered me. Being around him a couple of times now, we have developed a good relationship, and I love who he is as a person and a coach. He’s always gonna shoot you straight, and he’s never gonna lie to you.”
Let’s do it, Cat Nation. 💙💛🤍#AGTG #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/20f54Xvmrz
— isaiahasuma (@AsumaIsaiah) June 22, 2026
Asuma has yet to take his official visit with the Bobcats, but even after just a few visits to Bozeman, he saw enough and decided to announce his commitment.
“I have not taken my official visit yet, but I have been out there two times, and I love Bozeman. The first time I went out there, I fell in love with it. I come from a small town in Minnesota, so that’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before out there. It is pretty amazing!”
Last season, the Tigers finished 4-5, but Asuma had a great season, finishing with 1,233 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, 1,044 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns, while adding 58 tackles and four interceptions.
“Last season was solid, but we were a .500 team. I had a good individual year, and since I go to a smaller school, I played both quarterback and free safety.”
This season, he is hoping to lead the Tigers to a winning record, as well as have another big season, which could be a challenge as they will have a young squad.
“The offseason has been good. I just started summer practice and weights again with the team, in addition to training with my trainer, Dre Sherril, with explosive agility stuff and weightlifting. My goals for this upcoming season are to try to rush for 1,000 yards again and be a .500 team. Our team is super young this year, so I’m just hoping to have a solid year again.”
Asuma adds to a Bobcats recruiting class that includes three-star wide receiver Kase Betz, defensive lineman Dax Yeager, offensive lineman Kade Leibrand, EDGE Dominick Webb, defensive back Kei’Dryn Edmond, offensive lineman Maciah Keene, tight end Carter Zollar, running back DaKari Releford, among others.
‼️College coaches‼️ https://t.co/stoR6ZJROU
— isaiahasuma (@AsumaIsaiah) April 28, 2026
Follow FCS Football Central on social media for ongoing coverage of FCS football, including on X, Facebook, and YouTube.
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