Montana

Montana appealing ruling that blocked state from barring TikTok use

Published

2 years ago

January 3, 2024

Montana appealing ruling that blocked state from barring TikTok use

Montana said on Tuesday it was appealing a decision by a US judge in November to block the state’s first-of-its kind ban on the use of short-video sharing app TikTok.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen filed a notice that the state is appealing the ruling to the Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals.

Montana’s ban had been set to take effect on January 1, but US District Judge Donald Molloy on November 30 issued a preliminary injunction to block the ban on the Chinese-owned app, saying Montana’s law “violates the Constitution in more ways than one” and “oversteps state power”.

TikTok and Knudsen’s office did not immediately comment. Molloy had previously said preliminary pretrial statements were due by January 16.

TikTok teams up with fact checkers to stop election disinformation on site

TikTok users in Montana also had filed suit last year to block the ban approved by the state legislature, which cited concerns about the personal data of Montana users and potential Chinese spying.

In earlier court filings, TikTok said it “has not shared, and would not share, US user data with the Chinese government, and has taken substantial measures to protect the privacy and security of TikTok users”. Molloy said Montana sought to exercise foreign policy authority held by the federal government and the state’s action was too sweeping.

TikTok has faced efforts by some in Congress to ban the app or give the Biden administration’s powers to impose restrictions or bar foreign-owned apps, but those efforts have stalled.

Many states and the US government have barred TikTok on government-owned devices, but only Montana has sought to completely bar the app’s use.

Former President Donald Trump in 2020 sought to bar new downloads of TikTok and Chinese-owned WeChat, but a series of court decisions blocked the effective ban from taking effect.

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Montana

Weekly flu case numbers rise in Montana

Published

4 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

MISSOULA, Mont. — The weekly flu case count rose in the third week of the year, according to data released Friday by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

The state’s health department reported 888 cases of flu in Montana, up from 763 a week earlier. The number of people hospitalized from flu dropped to 24 from 39 in the same time frame. Eleven people have died in Montana in the current flu season, according to DPHHS.

Counties with the most cases of flu include Yellowstone (136), Missoula (105), Cascade (81), Roosevelt (72), and Gallatin (72).

In week 3, COVID-19 cases in the state saw a significant drop, from 308 to 236. So far, four people in Montana have died from COVID-19 in 2026.

For more data, click here.

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Montana

Swiss Alpine bar fire claims 41st victim, an 18-year-old Swiss national

Published

16 hours ago

February 1, 2026

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Swiss Alpine bar fire claims 41st victim, an 18-year-old Swiss national

Flower tributes are placed at the entrance of the “Le Constellation” bar and lounge where a fire which broke out during New Year’s celebrations left 40 people dead and over 100 injured, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP)

Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP

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Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP

ZURICH — An 18-year-old Swiss national has died in a Zurich hospital from injuries sustained in a Swiss Alpine bar fire, bringing the death toll to 41 a month after the tragedy.

People mourn behind flowers and letters near the sealed off Le Constellation bar, where a devastating fire left dead and injured during the New Year's celebrations in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, on Friday, Jan. 2.

The victim died on Saturday, according to the Swiss public prosecutor. The prosecutor said in a statement Sunday it would provide no further information on the status of the investigation.

Investigators have said they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling at the packed Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, less than two hours after midnight on Jan. 1. Authorities are looking into whether soundproofing material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Fire safety inspections hadn’t been carried out since 2019.

Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the owners — French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti — on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing a fire by negligence. The court of compulsory measures in the southwestern Valais region on Jan. 12 ordered three months of pretrial detention for Jacques Moretti, but on Jan. 23 ordered his release on bail.

With high-altitude ski runs rising around 3,000 meters (nearly 9,850 feet) in the heart of the Valais region, Crans-Montana is a major destination for international alpine skiing competitions.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 31, 2026

Published

1 day ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Jan. 31, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 31 drawing

02-08-14-40-63, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 31 drawing

09-13-25-30-43, Lucky Ball: 18

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 31 drawing

07-21-47-48-49, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 31 drawing

01-04-19-26, Bonus: 13

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 31 drawing

14-18-19-31-59, Powerball: 13

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Jan. 31 drawing

01-04-15-17-18

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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