Montana

Montana Department of Labor and Industry responds to federal layoffs

Published

12 months ago

March 16, 2025

Montana Department of Labor and Industry responds to federal layoffs

Twenty current and former federal workers gathered at state Department of Labor and Industry offices across Montana at 9 a.m. on March 12 for a “Rapid Response Event” aimed at “assist[ing] those impacted by federal layoffs.” Another 23 people attended virtually.

In all, they represented a negligible percentage of the 10,129 federal workers that live in Montana.

The conference room at the back of the Job Services office in downtown Kalispell was nearly vacant. Dozens of folders stuffed with flyers advertising job services remained unopened.

“It’s hard for people to seek [the department’s] support right now,” explained one of the two federal workers that attended the Kalispell event.

The worker asked that their name and job title not appear in print. Despite being among 360 other Montana Forest Service workers fired in February, they had been temporarily reinstated to their job position and were not authorized to talk to the press.

While thrilled to return to work, the Forest Service employee said that the reinstatement had also created more uncertainty. The future state of their employment hinges on the outcome of a federal lawsuit, alleging that the mass termination of probationary U.S. Forest Service workers was unlawful. A federal board is expected to hand down a verdict by April 18.

Until then, their job is akin to Schrödinger’s cat, both existent and non-existent. That makes it hard to do things like file for unemployment or send out resumes.

“It’s overwhelming for me still to try to look for a job,” they said.

The Forest Service worker hoped the event might provide some answers. After a series of presentations from state staff, they typed a question into the chat, asking whether employees affected by the lawsuit should file for unemployment. A flood of similar questions filtered onscreen, asking about the language in termination letters, the documents required to file for unemployment and the impending threat of a government shutdown.

Nearly all the inquiries were met with similar catechisms about reviewing things on a “case-by-case basis.” A morose sense of humor crept into the conference room.

“It’s going to be years before this gets sorted,” said the second Kalispell attendee, an employee of U.S. Agency for International Development.

The Department of Labor and Industry has helped workers navigate mass layoffs before. Last year, about 250 lumber workers found themselves unemployed after two mills shuttered in quick succession. Another 700 workers were laid-off a few months later when the Sibayne-Stillwater mill downsized. Both times, the state agency hosted similar rapid response events to help those affected file for unemployment, revamp resumes and find new jobs.

Those efforts benefited from $5.5 million worth of federal grants administered through the U.S. Department of Labor. The federal government reportedly froze some of those grant funds in late February, making future payments uncertain.

In a March 6 statement, the department also acknowledged that federal employees may face extra challenges navigating more traditional employment routes.

“Unlike many Rapid Response events the agency hosted over the last year, the layoff of federal workers requires specialized support to translate the skills and duties of a federal employee to the private sector or work in other public sector and nonprofit professions,” reads the statement.

The state Labor Department’s existing challenges could multiply, as Thursday marked the deadline for several agencies to submit “Agency Reorganization Plans” that include measures to reduce full-time positions.

There is no information as to how these plans may affect Montana workers, but there are new additions to the state Labor Department’s website. A page titled “Federal Worker Resources” now lists the number for a hotline for federal workers seeking help with unemployment insurance and other benefits as well as a dropdown menu for “Upcoming Rapid Response Events.”

The department was unable to provide the Daily Inter Lake with comment by its print deadline.

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at hsmalley@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4433.

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Montana

March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

Published

41 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

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Montana

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Published

13 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.

“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.

Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.

In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.

Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.

Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.

A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.

“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.

A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.

This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”

In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.

In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.

“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.

The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 4, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing

33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing

01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing

03-04-06-08-10

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03

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.

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