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Montana State QB Tommy Mellott still playing with passion entering senior campaign

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Montana State QB Tommy Mellott still playing with passion entering senior campaign


BOZEMAN — The past two seasons, Montana State has utilized a two-quarterback system with Tommy Mellott and Sean Chambers.

With Chambers graduating this past offseason, it will now mainly be Mellott at the helm calling out the plays to his team on Saturdays.

At the beginning of fall camp, Montana State wide receiver Ty McCullouch noted that even though both are gifted in their ability at the position and great teammates, it will be exciting to see what Mellott can now do fully at the helm.

“I’m only excited to see what he does now, with you know, him being the No. 1 option,” McCullouch said. “Not 1A/1B. I think he’s going to turn a lot of heads, even though he’s already Tommy Mellott.”

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After Tyler Walker was promoted to offensive coordinator, he moved from tight ends coach to quarterbacks coach because Chuckie Keeton, who was added to the staff this past offseason to coach quarterbacks, left in the middle of spring ball for a coaching opportunity with the Seattle Seahawks.

“It was apparent to me that moving Tyler to quarterbacks would be our best move, and ultimately continuing to put our staff together at that point in time was the way I was looking at it,” Montana State coach Brent Vigen said.

Walker is Mellott’s fourth quarterbacks coach since last season, and despite multiple changes, he’s gotten to learn from each one.

“Just a lot of opportunities to learn, that’s kind of how I see it,” Mellott said. “Each coach, just for however long they might’ve been with, you know for three or four years down to a couple weeks there, you know, with Coach Vigen at the end of Spring Ball.”

Chambers has returned to Bozeman to assist in coaching quarterbacks and to serve as an offensive analyst this season.

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“What’s better than to have a guy that knows our system, knows our guys, and knows what we’re getting, and another set of eyes. With how we do things we need another set of eyes,” Walker said. “He relates well to the guys, and I think he’s got a bright future.”

When it comes to Mellott’s backup, redshirt sophomore Jordan Reed who played in seven games last year, is listed No. 2 on the two-deep roster released at the beginning of fall camp. The QB room also includes redshirt freshmen in Chance Wilson and Patrick Duchien, along with the addition of freshman Thomas Buchanan.

“All those guys, though, they have a different skill set and ability to make a difference in our team,” Mellott explained. “I think that guys are going to be backing whoever it might be, the backup to begin the year. I don’t have any worries with those guys.”

As for Mellott’s mindset going into his senior campaign?

“You just have to go out there and play with passion,” he said. “And I think the football gods take care of you when you love what you’re doing, and you’re going after it play after play, and there’s no taking anything for granted.”

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Camp East Montana ODs were related to psychiatric meds and self harm, DHS

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Camp East Montana ODs were related to psychiatric meds and self harm, DHS


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The Department of Homeland Security told the El Paso Times that two suspected overdoses at Camp East Montana over Memorial weekend were related to an overdose of psychiatric medication and a “self-harm” incident.

In both incidents on May 23 and May 24, the detainees were taken to the Rio Vista Behavioral Health center, a DHS spokesperson said.

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The 35-year-old detainee who overdosed on psychiatric medication on May 23 was returned to the immigration detention center the same day and is in stable condition. The 34-year-old who overdosed on May 24 is currently being monitored by ICE medical staff after being returned.

“When there are signs of a detainee self-harming, staff abides by strict prevention and intervention protocol to ensure the detainee’s health and wellbeing is protected,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement. “ICE requires annual suicide prevention training and provides mental health service to detainees.”

The DHS spokesperson said that ICE provides “comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care.”

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The El Paso ICE detention center is the largest in the country, with a capacity to hold 5,000 people. Allegations of human rights abuses have plagued the site since it opened in August 2025.

At least three suspected overdoses have occurred at Camp East Montana, according to 911 emergency calls analyzed by the El Paso Times. The first suspected overdose was reported on Feb. 28, involving a 60-year-old male detainee.

Rising deaths, suicides in ICE detention

At least 50 migrants have died in ICE custody since President Donald Trump returned to office, with 18 deaths occurring in 2026. At least 10 of these deaths were suicides, an investigation by the Associated Press found, including Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old Nicaraguan migrant who died at Camp East Montana on Jan. 17.

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U.S. representatives, including Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, Angie Craig, DFL (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party)-Prior Lake, and other political leaders, have raised concerns about the conditions at the detention center following more than a dozen oversight visits. Congressional representatives have repeatedly raised concerns over detainees’ access to medical and mental health services.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the ACLU, Texas Civil Rights Project, Human Rights Watch and the law firm Farella Braun + Martel LLP sued ICE on behalf of four detainees held at Camp East Montana over “horrific” human rights abuses in May 2026.

Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@usatodayco.com@palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @palabrasdeabajo.bsky.social on Bluesky.



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Escobar on Camp East Montana

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Escobar on Camp East Montana


While jobs are not on the line at the Ysleta Independent School District, the school district faces another budget year with a deficit for its ongoing operations.

District officials are recommending an operating budget with a deficit that may be up to $15 million, mainly driven by falling school enrollment and funding from the State of Texas. SISD anticipates collecting $379 million in revenue for the 2026-2027 year.

Superintendent Xavier De La Torre said the district plans on selling properties, offering incentives to teachers and administrators interested in retirement and consolidating the Cesar Chavez Academy with the Thrive Academy to address YISD’s financial challenges.

https://www.ktsm.com/news/ysleta-isd-counting-on-school-consolidation-attrition-property-sales-to-deal-with-budget-crunch/

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Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks

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Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks


BOZEMAN — Montana’s rivers are still running high and cold this spring — and while that’s good news for fish, it poses serious risks for recreators.

Even with a lighter-than-average snowpack, river conditions across the state remain hazardous. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is urging anyone planning to get on the water to prepare carefully, know current conditions, and understand every hazard along the full length of their route before launching.

WATCH: Montana’s rivers are still running high and cold this spring — even with lighter snowpack. Before you hit the water, FWP says preparation could save your life

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Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks

Morgan Jacobsen of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks pointed to specific locations as examples of the dangers that can catch people off guard.

“The Highway 89 Bridge has some, you know, particular dangers at that site with the pylons of the bridge, and that’s caused problems for people before, so knowing your trip and knowing what hazards exist as best you can, doing that research is always a good idea,” Jacobsen said.

Spring runoff serves an important ecological function for Montana’s fisheries, acting as a kind of seasonal reset for rivers and streams.

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“Flooding plays an important ecological function. It washes out sediment and provides new, clean gravels that are important for fish spawning. Creates new habitat for a variety of species, and it’s a good thing, but when it comes to recreation, it’s something you’ve got to be careful with,” Jacobsen said.

FWP is not discouraging people from getting on the water, but the agency is emphasizing that safety planning must come first — especially during high water.

“We’re not saying people can’t come on the water by any means, and you know, especially in high flooding conditions, and because of those dangers, it’s not recommended, but if you are going to recreate, you know, you’re doing it at your own risk. Make sure that you take precautions so that you can make it home safely,” Jacobsen said.

Anyone heading out on Montana’s rivers this spring should check current conditions, know their route, carry and wear a personal flotation device, and be prepared for water that was snow just minutes before entering the river.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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