Connect with us

Montana

New rules lead to 'a little bit of chaos' in Montana Senate • Daily Montanan

Published

on

New rules lead to 'a little bit of chaos' in Montana Senate • Daily Montanan


A change in Senate rules on the first day of the Montana Legislature led to “messed up” planning and stalled some bills.

A print-out of committee hearings for the second day of the session was mostly blank.

Tuesday was just the second day of the 69th session, however, and, according to at least a couple of senators, some politics are expected along the way, and slight delays aren’t all bad, at least this early in the game.

In a briefing earlier in the day, Senate President Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, said the bid for new rules that led to the slowdown had surprised him, and it had serious consequences.

Advertisement

“It was a reshuffling of the deck, which, to me, was very … dismissive of the caucus and everything we did in November and the two months prior,” Regier said.

The previous day, a band of Republicans teamed up with Democrats to change the rules in the Senate, and on Tuesday, some, but not all, committee chairs stood up on the floor and said they had yet to get off the ground.

“Senate Judiciary is still going on a field trip,” said Sen. Barry Usher, R-Billings.

“Stay tuned,” said Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, about Senate Tax.

The sloshing in the Senate caught the attention of the House.

Advertisement

In House Appropriations, Chairperson Llew Jones, R-Conrad, shared ground rules about how the largest committee worked and how it fit into the work at the Capitol, with a side note about the status in the Senate.

“Senate is in a little bit of chaos about who’s on where,” Jones said.

During the first Senate floor session one day earlier, Minority Leader Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade, proposed doing away with an executive review committee in the way Republican leaders had set it up.

At the time, Flowers said its purpose was unclear, and Democrats from the minority caucus were needed on other committees.

Sen. Jason Ellsworth, a Hamilton Republican and former Senate president, also advocated for a structure that did more to spread out the expertise of lawmakers, and he and eight other Republicans voted with Democrats.

Advertisement

Regier said the change meant in just 15 minutes, a couple months’ worth of logistics unraveled, everything from committee assignments to letterhead and business cards.

On the floor, he said the legislative website still had incorrect hearing meeting times, and proper ones would be printed and posted in a public space outside chambers when available.

“We’re working our tails off to get that all in sync,” Regier said.

The delays weren’t all bad, though.

The Senate wrapped up quickly Tuesday, and afterwards, Sen. Janet Ellis, D-Helena, said it was early enough in the legislative session, she wouldn’t characterize the changes with committees as disruptive.

Advertisement

Ellis also said she was working on a bill that dipped into some unfamiliar territory — about artificial intelligence in elections — so she saw a silver lining.

“I’m glad I have some time to prepare,” Ellis said.

Not all committees were delayed as a result, and some were having “educational” meetings instead of taking up proposed bills.

Earlier in the day, Regier said the new rules were just temporary, and the Senate might revert to the plan from leadership when it adopted permanent rules. He said he would defend the work his caucus did, but he couldn’t predict an outcome, either.

“This is politics, right?” Regier said.

Advertisement

Coming out of the floor session, Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, said the same thing about the brake tap on committees.

“That’s why we’re here. Politics,” Windy Boy said. “Sometimes, some people don’t get what they want. Some do. It’s like two kids playing in the playground. Some get to play with the toys, and some don’t.”



Source link

Advertisement

Montana

Emergency travel only in northeast Montana (video)

Published

on

Emergency travel only in northeast Montana (video)


GREAT FALLS — Blowing dust is becoming a major issue again on the Hi-Line as winds gust to 60–70+ mph, especially from Phillips County eastward.

Visibility has dropped to very low to near zero at times, and there have already been several crashes east of Glasgow near Nashua and Frazer. People are urged to avoid unnecessary travel in these areas if possible.

This is a very dangerous situation for travelers across northeast Montana. Blowing dust is causing near-zero visibility in many locations.

WATCH:

Advertisement

Hazardous driving along the Hi-Line

Highway 2 from Dodson to Wolf Point is closed until further notice, with only emergency travel allowed in these areas.

All red- and black-shaded roads and highways are experiencing severe driving conditions because of the low visibility.

Advertisement

MDT

Click here to visit the MDT 511 site.



(WEDNESDAY, MAY 13) A fast-moving front rolled through north-central Montana on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The powerful winds gusted to more than 80 miles per hour in some areas.

Shaylan Verploegen shared video from north of Havre, showing a huge “wall” of dirt and dust in a unique weather phenomenon known as a haboob; watch the video and see other viewer photos here:

Advertisement

Fast-moving front kicks up walls of dust

The strong winds caused some damage. There were trees blown over in Havre, Great Falls, and Helena. Part of a roof was blown off in Box Elder, and there were several carports that were destroyed in Havre. There were also numerous power outages reported across the area, some of which lasted for several hours.

Check out more photos and videos shared by KRTV viewers:

Advertisement


Use the form below to share your photos and/or videos with KRTV


By submitting any photo(s) and/or video(s) (collectively referred to as the “Content”), I attest that I am the creator and owner of the Content, including all copyright and other rights in the Content. I authorize Scripps Media, Inc. (“Scripps”) to use, edit, reproduce, distribute, publicly display, share, and/or transmit the Content worldwide, in perpetuity, and without restriction, including without limitation television broadcasts, digital/websites, social media, printed publication, promotions, commercial uses, and by or on any other media source or platform whether now existing or later devised, whether owned or operated by Scripps, Scripps’ parents, subsidiaries or affiliated companies, or third parties (collectively, the “Scripps Parties”) for their further use, distribution, public display, and transmission. I understand that I will not be compensated under any circumstance for providing Content to Scripps or for any use of the Content by the Scripps Parties. I waive any right to inspect and/or approve such use of the Content. I have received written permission to submit the Content for use by the Scripps Parties from any recognizable individuals that may appear in the Content. I attest that the Scripps Parties’ use of the Content will not infringe on any third party’s intellectual property rights. I release, discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Scripps Parties from any and all liability, loss, damage (including consequential damages), costs, loss of services, claims, including without limitation attorney’s fees, arising from or related to the Scripps Parties’ use of the Content. I understand and agree that Scripps is under no obligation to use the Content. I represent that I am at least 18 years of age and am fully competent to provide this permission and to make these representations.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Montana

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

Published

on


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

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

Winning Powerball numbers from May 13 drawing

22-31-52-56-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Winning Lotto America numbers from May 13 drawing

17-18-28-37-42, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 13 drawing

02-06-10-16, Bonus: 16

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 13 drawing

08-13-39-63-66, Powerball: 02

Advertisement

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from May 13 drawing

02-04-13-17-32

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 13 drawing

21-24-29-42-49, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

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.



Source link

Continue Reading

Montana

Public Meeting at Hub on Smith Concerning Montana Water Call Prompting Priority Administration in Tongue Basin

Published

on

Public Meeting at Hub on Smith Concerning Montana Water Call Prompting Priority Administration in Tongue Basin


Wyoming State Engineer Brandon Gebhart announced that on May 5, 2026, the State of Montana placed a call under Article V(A) of the Yellowstone River Compact to fill Tongue River Reservoir in Montana. As a result, priority administration is in effect on post-1950 water rights in Wyoming that divert water from the Tongue River and its tributaries and are not excluded from the compact.

A public meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, in the dining room of The Hub on Smith. Attendees are asked to enter on the north side of the building.

The Tongue River Basin has been experiencing drought conditions over the past year with historically low winter snowpack and streamflow conditions. According to the release, those conditions led to Montana’s interstate call and prompted the administration of the Tongue River Basin in Wyoming.

The priority administration will affect post-1950 water rights within the Tongue River Basin, including reservoir storage, stream diversions and groundwater withdrawals, all of which affect river flows. Post-1950 water rights will be regulated off or prevented from turning on. Wyoming hydrographer-commissioners will continue to administer reservoir storage and post-1950 diversions throughout the spring and work with affected water users until the administration is lifted.

Advertisement

As provided in the compact, domestic uses less than one-half acre in area and livestock uses, including stock reservoirs less than 20 acre-feet in capacity, are excluded from this administration. The release noted these excluded rights could be subject to future regulation to satisfy priority calls by senior Wyoming water rights.

Beginning May 5, 2026, Wyoming hydrographer-commissioners have worked to record the current storage levels of reservoirs with post-1950 water rights. Going forward, those reservoirs can continue to accrue storage so long as post-1950 storage gained after the interstate call on May 5 remains in storage until either the water is released to satisfy the Montana call or Montana lifts the call because Tongue River Reservoir will fill.

Reservoirs with unfulfilled pre-1950 water rights can continue to store water and that storage will not be subject to release to satisfy Montana’s call. However, that storage and other direct flow rights could be subject to regulation to satisfy priority calls by senior Wyoming water rights.

The priority administration will be carried out pursuant to state law by hydrographer-commissioners assigned to various portions of the Tongue River Basin, working under the direction of Division II Superintendent David Schroeder.

The Wyoming State Engineer’s Office can be contacted at:

Advertisement

Jack Morey, deputy state engineer, 307-777-5032, jack.morey2@wyo.gov

David Schroeder, Division II superintendent, 307-674-7012, d.schroeder@wyo.gov

Jeff Cowley, interstate streams administrator, 307-777-1942, jeff.cowley@wyo.gov




Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending