Montana

Lawsuit Challenges Montana’s Sweeping New Ban on Drag Performances

Published

2 years ago

July 10, 2023

Lawsuit Challenges Montana’s Sweeping New Ban on Drag Performances

A group of 10 plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit last week challenging a new Montana state law that bans “drag story hours” in the state. In a 39-page filing, the plaintiffs, including local bookseller the Montana Book Company and local author Adria Jawort, say that the new law, known as HB 359, is “a breathtakingly ambiguous and overbroad” law that imposes an “unconstitutional content and viewpoint-based restriction” on free speech.

Filed on July 7 in federal court in Butte, the complaint alleges that the law was “motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ animus,” noting that lawmakers purposefully crafted legislation that seeks to “collapse the distinction between unprotected obscene speech and protected artistic and personal expression” by threatening “teachers, artists, small businesses, and cultural and scientific institutions” with criminal and professional sanctions.

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HB 359’s restrictions are content and viewpoint-based. Thus it is ‘presumptively unconstitutional’ and subject to strict scrutiny.

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“While proponents of HB 359 purported to support the bill’s unconstitutional limitations on speech to ‘protect’ children, they instead targeted protected forms of expression that made them uncomfortable,” the complaint states. It goes on to claim that the bill’s “confusing” and “draconian” provisions seek to “stifle the expression of individuals who do not conform to conventional gender presentations.”

According to the complaint, the sweeping new law would ban “reading to a child in a library in a superhero costume, conducting classroom activities dressed as Ms. Frizzle, inviting a Disney princess impersonator into the classroom, and staging a production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It.” And unlike the state’s existing obscenity statute, “HB 359 does not incorporate the Miller test—the classic definition of obscenity—which safeguards artistic expression, political speech, and science.”

The suit seeks a temporary injunction barring the state from enforcing the law, and a declaration striking the law down as unconstitutional. “HB 359’s restrictions are content and viewpoint-based. Thus it is ‘presumptively unconstitutional’ and subject to strict scrutiny,” the complaint states. “The government has no compelling interest in protecting children from drag story hours and/or drag performers.”

Montana governor Greg Gianforte signed the HB 359 into law on May 22. And in June, Jawort, now a plaintiff in the suit, had a scheduled talk at the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library canceled, with library officials citing the new law. Jawort is seeking damages.

The Montana law is one of a number of such anti-LGBTQ+ laws that emerged in state legislatures in 2023, which are now being challenged in court. Last month, a Trump-appointed judge blocked Tennessee’s drag ban from taking effect, holding that the law is “overly broad and violated the First Amendment.”

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Montana

Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for May 18, 2025

Published

12 hours ago

May 19, 2025

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at May 18, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from May 18 drawing

01-03-04-18-30, Lucky Ball: 08

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 18 drawing

08-11-21-24, Bonus: 06

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.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for May 17, 2025

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2025

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at May 17, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from May 17 drawing

07-34-40-42-52, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from May 17 drawing

01-04-27-38-46, Lucky Ball: 13

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from May 17 drawing

16-18-24-25-34, Star Ball: 02, ASB: 04

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 17 drawing

02-10-18-29, Bonus: 07

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 17 drawing

14-18-31-34-37, Powerball: 17

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from May 17 drawing

04-11-19-41-43

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.

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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