Montana

Looking To Buy A Home In Montana? We've Got Good News!

Published

1 year ago

October 4, 2024

Looking To Buy A Home In Montana? We've Got Good News!

Well, sort of.

If you have plans of buying and owning a home here in Montana, you’re more than aware that it’s going to cost you. Tens of thousands of Montanans are finding that even with a decent job and a little bit of savings, they can’t afford a home in certain areas of the state.

Over the last few years home prices have skyrocketed across the country, and it seems that Montana has led the charge. Plus, with high interest rates, the dream of being a homeowner feels a little more like a nightmare.

In towns like Bozeman, Kalispell, and Missoula the prices have increased significantly since 2021 with the overall “value” going up hundreds of thousands of dollars. Perfect example, I was checking out a townhouse recently in Bozeman and the asking price was well over 500 thousand dollars. The same property sold 3 years ago for a little over 300 thousand.

I can’t speak for you, but I have an issue paying half a million dollars for a place to live with no backyard. However, new information points to the fact that Montana housing might not be that expensive after all.

Looking to buy a home in Montana?

The folks at Lending Tree released data that showed the most expensive towns in America to buy a home and Montana was nowhere to be found.

Credit: Lendingtree.com

As you look at the map of towns that are the most expensive you will see our neighbors in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming all make the list, but not Montana.

It should probably be noted that a few of those towns are “tourist” towns but so are Big Sky, Bozeman, and Whitefish. Does that mean we are making a much bigger deal about the housing prices in Montana than we should be?

No. I have a few doubts about the math with all of this.

It’s still crazy expensive to live here, but if you spend any time on websites like Realtor or Zillow, you will notice that home prices have started to drop around The Treasure State, and while they may still be out of the average Montanans price range, at least it’s a start.

LOOK: Cities With The Most Expensive Homes In Montana

Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in Montana using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the Zillow Home Values Index for all homes as of August 2024. The charts in this story were created automatically using Matplotlib.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

Montana’s Best Towns For Fall And Fun

Fall is a beautiful time of year here in Montana. With the changing of the seasons, The Treasure State offers fall lovers lots to do and see. From beautiful foliage to fun festivals, fall is certainly special here in Montana.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf

LOOK: These Are the Best Places to Live in America

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live using Niche data, which ranks places based on factors such as the cost of living.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

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Montana

Montana minimum wage increases to $10.85 | Explore Big Sky

Published

8 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Montana minimum wage increases to .85 | Explore Big Sky

By Micah Drew DAILY MONTANAN

With the start of the new year, Montanans on the lowest end of the pay scale will get a small boost as the state’s mandatory minimum wage increase goes into effect.

As of Jan. 1, Montana’s minimum wage increased from $10.55 to $10.85.

Stemming from a 2006 law, Montana’s minimum wage is subject to a cost-of-living adjustment, based on the national increase in the consumer price index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

According to state law, Montana businesses not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act are those whose gross annual sales are $110,000 or less may pay $4 per hour.

Montana is one of 30 states — plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands — that have a minimum wage higher than the federal rate of $7.25.

Twelve states, plus D.C. adjust their wages annually based on set formulas.

Montana has one of the lowest minimum wages that exceeds federal levels, with only West Virginia coming in lower among states at $8.75. The highest minimum wage is in D.C., at $17.25.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 7, 2026

Published

20 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

15-28-57-58-63, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

05-14-15-21-39, Lucky Ball: 10

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

03-18-25-45-50, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

05-09-12-15, Bonus: 02

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

28-41-50-61-68, Powerball: 05

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

09-11-13-16-40

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

California woman sentenced for smuggling attempt at border in Montana

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

California woman sentenced for smuggling attempt at border in Montana

MISSOULA, Mont. — A California woman who tried to smuggle her husband into the United States through northwest Montana has been sentenced to six months of probation, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.

Tracy Routh Lautenslager, 54, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to bring an alien into the United States at a location other than a designated port of entry. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over the case.

Court documents allege Lautenslager entered the U.S. through the Roosville Port of Entry on April 1, 2025, then drove to the Swisher Lake area near Lake Koocanusa. Border Patrol agents later learned a man had crossed the border on foot nearby. Canadian authorities eventually apprehended the man, identified as Lautenslager’s husband, a citizen of Great Britain with no legal status in the U.S.

Investigators say Lautenslager admitted the couple planned to avoid the port of entry by having her husband cross illegally while she drove into the U.S. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Stack and investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol as part of Operation Take Back America.

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