Montana
Montana Judge Blocks Zoning Reforms
A Montana judge reversed parts of a sweeping zoning reform package passed last year which would have legalized accessory dwelling units and duplexes in residential areas. According to the judge, the laws would “likely do ‘irreparable’ damage to residents of single-family neighborhoods.” Writing in Reason, Christian Britschgi calls the decision ‘eyebrow-raising,’ noting that “the reforms rank as some of the more ambitious housing bills passed by any state legislature last year.”
The decision is the result of a lawsuit brought by a group calling themselves Montanans Against Irresponsible Densification (MAID), which sued the state arguing that the zoning reforms were unconstitutional because they allowed neighborhoods with restrictive covenants to continue excluding denser housing types. “MAID said this would unfairly funnel development into areas without protective covenants, and produce arbitrary results whereby duplexes could be built on one side of a street, but not on the other side.”
This reversal of recent zoning reforms isn’t unique to Montana: “In September 2023, a Minnesota judge overturned Minneapolis’ first-in-the-nation abolition of single-family-only zoning (in addition to other zoning reforms), citing the city’s failure to conduct a proper state-required environmental analysis of increased allowable density,” and a Texas judge similarly invalidated zoning reforms in Austin.
With more Americans unable to afford housing, evictions on the rise, and housing supplies not meeting demand in many regions, the zoning reform and missing middle housing’ debate isn’t going anywhere soon.
MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is reminding artists and bird enthusiasts that there is still time to enter the 2026 Montana Migratory Bird Stamp contest.
Submissions are open through Feb. 27, and this year’s contest has expanded to include waterbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and wetland-dependent passerines depicted in their natural Montana habitat. The winning artist will receive a $2,000 cash prize, and the selected artwork will be featured on Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks promotional materials throughout 2026.
While the Montana Migratory Bird Stamp is not required for hunting, officials say proceeds from stamp sales help support wetland conservation efforts across the state. Each stamp purchase also includes a free collectible sticker sheet featuring the winning design.
Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials say the contest is intended to highlight the importance of wetlands and their role in Montana’s ecosystem.
More information about the contest, entry guidelines and stamp purchases is available on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website.
Idaho Vandals (13-9, 5-4 Big Sky) at Montana State Bobcats (13-10, 7-3 Big Sky)
Bozeman, Montana; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Idaho plays Montana State after Isaiah Brickner scored 31 points in Idaho’s 79-62 win against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.
The Bobcats have gone 8-1 in home games. Montana State ranks second in the Big Sky at limiting opponent scoring, giving up 70.9 points while holding opponents to 44.4% shooting.
The Vandals are 5-4 in Big Sky play. Idaho is seventh in the Big Sky with 13.2 assists per game led by Kolton Mitchell averaging 3.7.
Montana State makes 46.3% of its shots from the field this season, which is 2.6 percentage points higher than Idaho has allowed to its opponents (43.7%). Idaho has shot at a 45.2% clip from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points above the 44.4% shooting opponents of Montana State have averaged.
The Bobcats and Vandals meet Thursday for the first time in Big Sky play this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jed Miller is averaging 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals for the Bobcats. Christian King is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Mitchell is shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc with 2.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Vandals, while averaging 14.1 points and 3.7 assists. Biko Johnson is averaging 14.8 points over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bobcats: 7-3, averaging 77.1 points, 30.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 6.7 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.0 points per game.
Vandals: 5-5, averaging 76.9 points, 30.6 rebounds, 10.1 assists, 6.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.4 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BILLINGS — The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has implemented new regulations for all incinerator permit holders in Yellowstone County following a September incinerator malfunction at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter facility.
Billings Animal Control was burning methamphetamine, and YVAS workers reported meth-laced smoke filled their building during the incident.
Under the new regulations, all incinerator permit holders must now request approval for alternative burns directly from the DEQ. Previously, RiverStone Health was responsible for approving alternative burns.
The DEQ said an agreement renewal reflecting this change will be sent to all permit holders in the next few months.
The City of Billings faces additional scrutiny as the DEQ has referred the September methamphetamine burn to their enforcement program. The program is reviewing alleged violations of the Montana Clean Air Act for formal enforcement consideration.
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