Montana

Montana Department of Labor and Industry responds to federal layoffs

Published

9 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

Is Montana’s Budget on Fire? – Flathead Beacon

Published

15 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a libertarian special interest group, would have you think so. And it is sending out postcards and online ads claiming that Republicans who worked with Governor Greg Gianforte to produce a balanced budget are “pouring gasoline on the fire.”

The problem is that the “accountability information” AFP is peddling is false.

Did the state budget “explode” by $16.5 billion? NO! That number is the two-year appropriation in the General Appropriations Act (HB 2). It is not how much the budget increased. The actual increase in the total state budget was $142 million over two years—a tiny fraction of the amount claimed by AFP—according to the official budget comparison as calculated per state law (17-7-151, MCA) and validated by analysts at the legislature’s nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Division. Was there a 13.5% increase in state spending? NO! AFP’s number comes from considering only part of the state budget. The total state budget grew by only 0.7%, according to the official budget comparison cited above.

Did the budget grow at “2x the rate of inflation and 7x the pace of population growth”? NO! Budget growth was 0.7%—obviously much less than what AFP claims.

Is Montana running “massive deficits”? NO! he state constitution requires a balanced budget, and the budget we passed is balanced. Montana does not engage in deficit spending. Furthermore, Montana is the only bond debt-free state in the nation because of legislative actions taken over the past two sessions.

Was this the “biggest budget in Montana’s history”? Yes. But that could be said about any year in at least the recent past (I looked back 10 years). Why is that? A big reason is that inflation drives up the cost of providing the services that most Montanans expect, e.g., law enforcement, a corrections system, mental health and drug treatment, an education system, and management of our public lands, to name only a few. Good government is about providing those services as cost effectively as possible. Governor Gianforte and his allies in the legislature have been doing just that.

Americans for Prosperity might be forgiven if they simply misunderstood a thing or two about state finance. But AFP got so much wrong that one can only conclude that it willfully distorted the truth in order to mislead Montana citizens. Where I come from in Montana that’s called lying.

David Bedey is a Republican state Representative from Hamilton.

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Montana

Showdown Montana offers discounts in exchange for canned food donations

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Showdown Montana offers discounts in exchange for canned food donations

As ski season approaches and temps drop, Showdown Montana is once again turning the opening month into a chance to help the community while saving big.

Skiers can reduce the cost of a $70 lift ticket to $20 merely by contributing canned goods.

Katie Boedecker, President and General Manager of Showdown Montana, stated that the endeavor represents the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting local families.

Quentin Shores reports – watch the video:

Showdown Montana offers discounts in exchange for canned food donations

“It’s just a hard time of year for families and for people that need help. And we want to do everything we can to support this,” she explained. “We’ve been doing a food drive for at least 35 years up here.”

This year, the program is expanding. Rather than transporting donations up the mountain, visitors can now drop off 20 canned food items at participating food banks in Great Falls, Helena, Billings, Bozeman, and White Sulphur Springs.

In exchange, they will receive a certificate for a $20 lift ticket valid on any operational day in December.

“If you bring 20 cans of food to those food banks, you will get a voucher for a $20 lift ticket,” explained Avery Patrick, Showdown’s vice president and marketing director.

The new system also reduces the pressure on food banks. In earlier years, personnel had to drive trucks up the mountain to collect donations, which was a logistical nightmare during the winter. Donors can now go directly to the source.

Shaun Tatarka of the Great Falls Community Food Bank explained that bringing food to the food bank will result in a lift ticket. “There’s a limit of only ten per person.”

Donors may exchange up to 120 cans for reduced tickets while supplies last. The food bank is especially in need of cereal, canned chili, soups, and canned fruit, which help households get through the colder months.

“People really enjoy giving at this time of year,” Tatarka said. “We really rely on November and December for about 50 to 60% of our income and donations.”

Showdown plans to start on December 5, but vouchers can already be picked up during regular food bank hours.

Showdown Montana’s official opening date is December 12, though they may open on December 5 depending on conditions.

Showdown is about 65 miles southeast of Great Falls; click here to visit the website.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Nov. 27, 2025

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 27, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 27 drawing

08-12-13-16-45, Lucky Ball: 13

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Nov. 27 drawing

05-14-15-21, Bonus: 15

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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