Montana

Montana Rescue Mission responds to sexual-assault accusations against counselor

Published

5 months ago

October 10, 2025

Montana Rescue Mission responds to sexual-assault accusations against counselor

BILLINGS — Montana Rescue Mission leadership detailed its future plans Thursday in response to sexual assault accusations of one of its employees.

The accusations come on the heels of the firing of former Executive Director Matt Lundgren after an internal HR investigation.

Watch this video to hear from leadership:

Montana Rescue Mission responds to sexual assault accusations

The employee worked as the nonprofit’s addiction counselor and social worker. MTN is choosing not to name them because no criminal charges have been filed.

Billings police confirmed that the department is handling the investigation, which was brought to light through documents provided by Montana Attorney General’s Austin Knudsen’s office on Thursday.

Those documents detail that the employee is accused of assaulting two women, who confided in a Billings therapist, Jonathan Angel, who later reported the assaults.

Joanna King with the Billings Leadership Foundation, which handles administrative work for the Mission, said that the nonprofit is taking the accusations seriously and letting the investigation commence before any permanent action is taken.

“Everyone is entitled due process, for both victims or people being accused,” King said Thursday morning. “We want to make sure that we take complaints and concerns seriously.”

King also said that with the recent turbulent changes, the nonprofit is looking to make changes.

“One of the things in all of the leadership changes is reopen lines of communication with area partners,” King said. “At the end of the day, we want to make sure that we are providing the best care that we can.”

Some of those community partnerships include RiverStone Health and the Community Crisis Center, which were used by the mission in years past. Former Billings City Council Member and current President of the Yellowstone Human Trafficking Task Force Penny Ronning said she hopes that returns to the norm.

“It used to be so community-based,” Ronning said of the Mission Thursday afternoon. “Members of different sectors in the community were active within the workings of the mission.”

Ronning said when Lundgren took over, that feeling of transparency began to change, which is why she was saddened but not shocked by the recent news.

“I’m disappointed and hurt for our community, but mostly for those that the mission serves,” Ronning said. “Sadly, I’m not surprised.”

Ronning said it’s unfortunately common around the state for unethical behavior to exist within at-risk populations.

“These are the places that we are seeing in Montana right now being the most vulnerable to trafficking, to predators and the Mission is not an exception to that,” Ronning said.

Now, Ronning said she hopes the recent challenges will lead to a more positive direction.

“It really is upon that board and current leadership to make that change,” Ronning said.

King said they’re committed to finding the right path, similar to their residents.

“We’re meant to be a stop along the way,” King said. “They’re meant to stop, get the help they need and transfer on. That’s what we’re trying to do too.”

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Montana

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

Published

4 hours 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

17 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 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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