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Presentation looks at Montana vigilantes

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Presentation looks at Montana vigilantes



Local author Carol Buchanan will explore “Montana’s Vigilantes – Good Guys or Bad” on Monday, June 17 at the Northwest Montana History Museum in Kalispell.

The talk is the monthly presentation of the Northwest Montana Westerners, a local history group.

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Buchanan’s interest in Montana’s vigilantes began when, at 12 years old, she and her family visited Alder Gulch, near Virginia City, Montana. 

“One evening after supper I walked up to the Hangman’s Building and went inside. As I stood looking at the beam on which the five road agents were hanged,” she notes. “I heard the ropes creak. That has stayed with me ever since.”

She has written four historical novel based on her research, and fifth is at the publisher.

Reacting to a series of killings and robberies in the gold rush towns of early Montana, the Vigilance Committee of Alder Gulch was created in Dedember 1863, and in the first six weeks of 1864 hung at least 20 gang members, including alleged leader, Bannack sheriff Henry Plummer.

The vigilante movement and hangings spread to other mining towns, including Helena in 1865. Modern Montana Highway Patrol uniforms carry the 3-7-77 insignia, associated with the vigilantes.

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But there have been charges that the vigilantes were more driven by political motives than law and order. Among the leaders were Wilbur Sanders, Montana’s first U.S. Senator, and Sidney Edgerton, first territorial governor.

A mock trial of Plummer in 1993 ended in a deadlock, and led to a move to grant an official pardon.

Buchanan wrote a draft of her first novel, God’s Thunderbolt: The Vigilantes of Montana, in the 1970s and tried to market it without success. It wasn’t until after moving to the Flathead in 2001, that she expanded her research and honed her writing skills through Authors of the Flathead and online classes. The finished book took off, winning the 2009 Spur Award from the Western Writers of America for best first novel.

The presentation starts at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the museum, at 124 2nd Ave. East in Kalispell. Cost is $5 for the general public, with members and youths under 16 admitted free. 



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Governor Gianforte Announces Montana Ranks as Top 10 State for Job Growth

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Governor Gianforte Announces Montana Ranks as Top 10 State for Job Growth




Governor’s Office


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HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana ranks in the top ten states with the highest year-over-year job growth rates.  
 
“Montana continues to rank as one of the best states to start or grow a business, earn a competitive wage, and secure a good-paying job,” Gov. Gianforte said. “As we continue to reform our regulatory environment to support job creators and cut taxes to give money back to the hardworking Montanans who earned it, we see the results of conservative policies at work as the Treasure State ranks in the top ten states with the strongest job growth.”  

According to a report by Stat Ranker, which compared all 50 states based on year-over-year growth in total nonfarm payroll employment between February 2025 and February 2026, Montana ranked ninth in the nation for both jobs added and overall job growth adding more than 2,100 jobs over the year, representing a 0.4 percent job growth rate. 

Last week, the governor attended the groundbreaking for Janicki Industries in Great Falls to celebrate the aerospace manufacturers’ investment expected to create more than 2,000 jobs over the next ten years and the ribbon cutting for Amazon’s sixth delivery station in Montana that brings the company’s total employment in the state to over 800. 

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Last month, the governor announced Montana was ranked in the top five states with the fastest-growing economies since 2021. The report from Visual Capitalist found that between 2021 and 2025, Montana’s GDP grew 16.1 percent while the national average in the same time period was 10.8 percent. When it comes to wage growth, Montana ranks third in the nation for fastest wage growth and is only one of two states in the nation where wage growth has outpaced inflation since 2020. The average wage earned by Montana workers reached $60,037 in 2024. 

Earlier this year, Gov. Gianforte also announced Montana’s fiscal health surged into the top ten states nationally under his leadership, rising from 22nd in 2021 to 8th in 2025. Since taking office, the governor has paid off the state’s general obligation debt, making Montana debt-free in 2023 and saving Montanans $40 million over a period of two years.  

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Montana also consistently ranks in the top fifteen states with the lowest unemployment rates. Last month, the governor announced Montana’s unemployment rate ticked down to 3.4 percent in May, lower than the national unemployment rate which remained at 4.3 percent.  

The full Stat Ranker report can be read here 

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Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Big Sky Bonus results for July 14, 2026

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

Here’s a look at July 14, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 14 drawing

02-04-10-48-56, Mega Ball: 22

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from July 14 drawing

15-20-26-27, Bonus: 02

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 14 drawing

12-13-15-16-41, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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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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Get Smitten With a Kitten at Humane Society of Western Montana

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Get Smitten With a Kitten at Humane Society of Western Montana


If a furry, playful, hugg-able, lovable kitten would be a great addition to your place, now’s the time to visit the Humane Society of Western Montana.

MEET BAKER AND BUSBOY

It was another Take Me Home Tuesday at the radio stations with the Humane Society. Katie brought in “Baker” (black kitty) and “Busboy” (gray kitty), who along with their two siblings “Chef” and “Cook” form a Fantastic Four of pure joy.

DENNY BEDARD
KITTENS FOR ADOPTION IN MISSOULA

These two-month-old little ones were found in the Polson area and surrendered to the shelter. They just had their spay/neuter surgeries Monday (July 13) and they will be looking for their forever homes starting Wednesday (July 15).

KITTENS FOR ADOPTION IN MISSOULA
DENNY BEDARD
KITTENS FOR ADOPTION IN MISSOULA

Whether you are looking for one kitten or the whole “kitchen,” visit the shelter and fall in love with Baker, Busboy, Chef and Cook.

EVER CONSIDERED BEING A FOSTER HOME FOR SHELTER PETS?

It is kitten season at the Humane Society of Western Montana. The Humane Society is always looking for Fosters to take care of tiny kittens until they are old enough to be adopted. They currently have some that are with mom cats, and some that are bottle babies. And there is always a need for volunteers willing to nurture them until they are of adoption age.

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And of course one of the perks of being a Foster is, if you fall in love with a kitten, you pretty much get first dibs.

READ MORE: Volunteers Hit ‘The Ridge’ To Improve Montana Elk Hunting Opportunities

So, whether you are looking to adopt or would like more information about being a foster home, be sure to visit the Humane Society of Western Montana soon. They are open from 1:00 – 6:00 pm Wednesdays through Sundays at 5930 Highway 93 South in Missoula. See more cats AND dogs waiting to be adopted on the shelter’s ADOPT webpage here.

LOOK: Can you tell the difference between these common pets?

Can you tell the difference between a hamster and a guinea pig? How about a betta and a guppy? Test your pet ID skills in our cute quiz. 

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

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