Montana
Montana teachers oppose special-ed voucher program
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(Big Sky Connection) The union that represents Montana teachers opposes a move to legalize private school vouchers in the state.
Educational Savings Accounts, or ESAs, are growing in popularity around the country. ESAs allow people to use state money to pay private school tuition.
House Bill 393, which Montana lawmakers passed last year, is slightly different than in other states – in that the money would be limited to tuition vouchers for special education students.
Montana Federation of Public Employees’ President Amanda Curtis said using state money for private school leaves students without the protection of the Montana Constitution.
“This voucher system literally takes money on a ‘per-kid’ basis,” said Curtis, “which de-funds the public education system and denies students their constitutional right to access a quality public system.”
Supporters of the measure say students with special needs often do better at home or in private schools than in public schools. The Montana Legislature will next convene in 2025.
Thirteen states have passed some version of ESA program, but Curtis contended the movement will ultimately fail on the national level.
She said she thinks Montana will follow suit, because the state’s decisionmakers have jumped on a trend and been influenced by outside groups.
“I am constantly concerned about some politicians in Montana,” said Curtis, “allowing our policy decisions to be influenced by the national political rhetoric.”
In most states that have passed them, ESAs are projected to cost the state more than double what the legislatures budgeted for them, effectively taking that money directly out of public school budgets.
Curtis said she has vowed to challenge Montana HB 393 in court.
Montana
Half a million absentee ballots sent to Montana voters for primary election • Daily Montanan
Ballots for Montana’s June 2 primary began to hit voters’ mailboxes this weekend.
According to the Secretary of State’s website, 509,399 absentee ballots were mailed to voters. As of Monday morning, 358 voters had already returned their ballots.
“Montana’s 2026 Primary Election is well underway, and the Montana Election Team is honored to serve our voters,” Secretary of state Christi Jacobsen said in a press release. “As a reminder, Montanans can view their sample ballot, track their absentee ballot, confirm their voter registration information, and much more at VoteMT.gov.”
Voted ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2nd.
The Montana Election Team reminds absentee voters to sign, date, and add their birth year when returning their absentee ballot. County election officials provide instructions in the ballot packet, and more information is also available online at https://votemt.gov/absentee-ballot/.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 10 drawing
06-22-28-31, Bonus: 08
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
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.
The Socorro Independent School District honored and celebrated its top two educators at the 2026 Teacher of the Year Gala on Friday, May 8 at the El Paso Convention Center.
Cristina Garcia, a fifth-grade teacher at Mission Ridge Elementary School, was recognized as the 2026 SISD Elementary Teacher of the Year. Javier Esparza, an audio and video broadcast teacher at Socorro High School, was named the 2026 SISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.
https://www.ktsm.com/news/socorro-isd-honors-top-2-teachers-at-gala-celebration/
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