Montana

Missoula And Helena: Battling Unhealthy Air Quality Amid Wildfires

Published

9 months ago

April 24, 2025

Missoula And Helena: Battling Unhealthy Air Quality Amid Wildfires

Missoula, and now also Helena, are ranked on the list of worst places in the country for 24-hour particulate air pollution, both making the Top this year because of impacts from wildfire smoke.

The findings come from the American Lung Association’s annual “State of the Air” report released this week.

With only two major fires in close proximity last summer, Missoula’s ranking actually dropped to #17 on the national list, with 7 days when air was listed as “unhealthy” for everyone. But that’s still an “F” grade for 24-hour smoke, and a “fail” in the annual report.

Has Missoula’s air quality rating always been bad from smoke?

The ranking is actually better than in some years, such as the “Big Fire” year, when Missoula was surrounded by major fires in 2017.

MISSOULA: Ranked 15th worst for 24-hour particle pollution out of 225 metropolitan areas and ranked 17th worst for annual particle pollution out of 208 metropolitan areas -American Lung Association

Helena’s fire smoke was bad in ’24

Helena makes this list this year because of the smoke impacts from the Horse Gulch, and other fires, combined with regional fire smoke, placing it at 20th on the national list for 24-hour particulate pollution.

HELENA: Ranked 20th worst for 24-hour particle pollution out of 225 metropolitan areas and ranked 89th worst for annual particle pollution out of 208 metropolitan areas -American Lung Association

However, both locations continue to rank low for the problem of ozone pollution.

Other Montana areas on the list include Fergus County, which received a “C” grade for particulate pollution, with the Lewistown area also being downwind from the big fires in Helena.

URGENT: Nick Chrestenson Reports- Missoula Police Looking for Missing Woman

Charles Etoroma; Unsplash

MT Lawmakers: Close, but no cigar

Indoor smoke won’t be a problem, as the Montana House reverses itself and votes down the bill that would have created so-called “cigar lounges.”

SB 150 was passing on a 51-49 vote on second reading Tuesday, but it failed on a 45-to-54 vote on third reading yesterday.

Anti-smoking interests had expressed alarm over changing the Clean Air Act.

Are foam food containers illegal in Montana?

Almost. Environmental and business interests are locking horns over the proposal to ban polystyrene, or “styrofoam” containers, in Montana. HB 477 is on the governor’s desk, but the measure is sparking a last-minute lobbying effort to phase out or keep single-use food containers.

Shopping at Sam’s Club could be tough without a phone

Sam’s Club in Great Falls and Billings are joining the list of 600 stores dumping in-person checkouts.

Instead, you’ll be asked to use the store’s mobile app for the “Scan & Go” and “Just Walk” systems. An AI scanner will merely check your purchases on the way out.

April 24, 2015- Gov Bullock, CSKT Chair Vernon Findley sing the Flathead Water Compact, Dennis Bragg photo

Montana Throwback Thursday

April 24, 2015, Governor Steve Bullock joins tribal and Legislative leaders for a ceremony signing the landmark Flathead Water Compact, ending decades of dispute over treaty rights and future water management by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

These 9 Small Montana Towns Have Seen The Biggest Growth

Bozeman Real Estate Group looked at the latest Census data and found these 9 small towns in Montana have grown the fastest since 2020.

Gallery Credit: Nick Northern

Source link

Related Topics:Featured Montana News morning headlines

Click to comment

Montana

Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Jan. 8, 2026

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

05-15-20-28, Bonus: 16

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.

Source link

Montana

Montana minimum wage increases to $10.85 | Explore Big Sky

Published

22 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.

Source link

Montana

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

Published

1 day 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.

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.

Source link