Montana

Montana Department of Labor and Industry responds to federal layoffs

Published

2 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

New Montana law could see millions for public hunter access funding

Published

11 hours ago

May 19, 2025

Press Room

New Montana law could see millions for public hunter access funding

HELENA — A new Montana law will increase the cost for nonresidents to hunt in Big Sky Country. The revenue generated will help fund public hunter access programs.

(Watch the video to learn more)

New Montana law could see millions for public hunter access funding

House Bill 145, sponsored by Rep. Gary Parry, R-Colstrip, was signed into law last week by Gov. Greg Gianforte.

The bipartisan-backed bill increases the base hunting license fee from $15 to $50 for nonresidents. Resident hunters are charged $10 for their base hunting licenses.

Nonresident hunters make up around one-seventh of the total number of hunting licenses sold yearly. In 2023, they represented around 80% of the revenue from deer and elk licenses sold.

Eighty percent of the funds will go toward funding block management programs, which provide payments to landowners who open their land to public hunters.

According to a fiscal note attached to HB 145, the new law is estimated to generate around $2.9 million in new revenue for the state each year, and would see around $2.5 million go into the state’s hunting access account.

HB 145 will go into effect on October 1, 2025.

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Montana

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

Published

1 day 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

2 days 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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