Montana

Montana Senate votes down bill to narrow eligibility for Medicaid expansion

Published

1 year ago

March 7, 2025

Montana Senate votes down bill to narrow eligibility for Medicaid expansion

HELENA — As the Montana Legislature continued its second day of marathon debates ahead of Friday’s transmittal deadline, the state Senate voted one more time on Medicaid expansion.

(Watch the video to see more from Thursday’s debate on Medicaid expansion.)

Montana Seante debates Medicaid Expansion

House Bill 245 – the main bill to renew Medicaid expansion in the state – passed the Legislature last week. However, Senate President Sen. Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, said it was worth having one more discussion about how the program should be structured.

“Whether it’s this bill, this program, a lot of things that we do here at government, we need to stop and take a look at what’s the end goal,” he said Thursday.

Senators narrowly rejected Regier’s Senate Bill 334, on a 24-26 vote.

Regier argued his bill was “stackable” with the existing program, not in competition with it – but it would make significant changes. SB 334 would have required the state to ask for and receive a waiver from the federal government and implement “community engagement” requirements in order to offer Medicaid expansion. The current state law calls for community engagement – requiring those on Medicaid expansion to spend 80 hours a month on work, education, workforce training, volunteering or other approved activities – but federal authorities haven’t yet allowed the state to implement those requirements.

SB 334 also would have lowered the maximum income level to be eligible for Medicaid expansion, from 138% of the federal poverty level to 100%. Regier said that would mean about 14,000 people currently on the program would no longer be eligible, but he argued those people now have other options for health coverage, including getting insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

“Are we going to judge a program on how many people we can put on it, or judge a welfare safety net program as its success of not needing it anymore – how many people can be off of it and be self-sufficient to where we don’t even need that program anymore?” Regier asked. “To me, that is more of a definition of success.”

However, opponents of SB 334 said lawmakers had already weighed in on the Medicaid expansion program – by passing HB 245, which essentially continued it as it is currently. They said the bill would undermine a system that’s already working.

“This bill coming now is a fix that we really don’t need,” said Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester.

“What we are essentially doing is we are taking people who are working hard – they’re hard-working Montanans in our small businesses, in all of our communities who are trying to make things work – and we’re making it harder for them,” said Sen. Emma Kerr-Carpenter, D-Billings.

The Senate passed HB 245 30-20 on a final vote last Thursday. Earlier this session, senators also voted down Senate Bill 62, which would have begun phasing out the Medicaid expansion program.

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Montana

This Weekend is Huge for Music Lovers in Montana

Published

34 minutes ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

This Weekend is Huge for Music Lovers in Montana

There’s something special about a record or CD that feels nostalgic, and if you need another reason to support locally owned record stores in Montana, this is it.

This Saturday, April 18, is Record Store Day 2026, and independent record stores in Montana and across the country are gearing up for one of the biggest days of the year. It’s a one-day event where customers can find exclusive in-store only releases.

For record collectors, it’s a chance to find special releases that are in limited supply. I’m planning to get in line in hopes of scoring a copy of the Billy Strings NPR Tiny Desk concert on vinyl.

That’s just one of over 300 limited-edition releases that will be available on Record Store Day. You can find a complete list of 2026 releases on the Record Store Day website.

Records

Photo by Peixuan Yu

Record stores in Montana aren’t just a place to buy music. They’re a part of the fabric of the communities they serve. Cactus Records in Bozeman is considered a local landmark and the go-to spot for music lovers in town.

Sure, it’s much easier to stream music digitally, but it isn’t the same as holding a physical copy in your hands.

Record Store Day is about showing up and supporting local. Keeping these independent shops alive and thriving in a world that’s increasingly digital. Every purchase you make this Saturday goes directly back into those stores, and helps make sure they’re still here the next time you’re looking for something new.

If you plan on heading to a local record store on Saturday, don’t be surprised if you see people getting in line early. It’s a big day for vinyl lovers and music fans in Montana. I hope you find what you’re looking for.

The Ultimate Guide to 7 of Montana’s Best Record Stores

If you’re a music lover, you need to visit these awesome record stores in Montana.

Gallery Credit: Jesse James

The Best Places To Live In Montana In 2026

Find your perfect Montana city in 2026 with our guide to the state’s most livable and desirable places.

Gallery Credit: jessejames

The Most Iconic Small Town Bars and Saloons in Montana

From historic saloons to local dive bars, these are some of the best watering holes across Big Sky Country.

Gallery Credit: Jesse James

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for April 13, 2026

Published

13 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at April 13, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from April 13 drawing

38-43-59-63-64, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from April 13 drawing

01-18-19-35-50, Star Ball: 09, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from April 13 drawing

14-20-25-29, Bonus: 04

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.
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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