Montana
Robots are now bussing meals in several Montana restaurants alongside wait staff
It’s just after one of the airport rush hours when a food court employee at the Billings Logan International airport places cutlery inside what looks like a black and white mini fridge then taps the touch screen above two boxy blue eyes. The robot, Rosy, whistles its way to the bar at the opposite side of the terminal.
It’s been about a year since the airport first introduced Rosy to the food court. It’s especially helpful during rush hours according to employee Jada Pruett.
“I can’t imagine it without her for sure,” said Pruett.
Robots like Rosy are becoming more commonplace in Montana restaurants. Representatives with California-based Bear Robotics, which manufacturers food running robots, say they have clients in Bozeman, Belgrade and Columbia Falls. Bear Robotics frames the technology as a help rather than a replacement for wait staff amid post-COVID hiring challenges.
State data show employment in the accommodation and food service industry dropped by 12 percent statewide in 2020. And in Columbia Falls, restaurant owner Jay Marquesen said finding and keeping employees remains a challenge. He said the robot helps manage the workload.
“With the labor shortage, we just started looking for different ways to make life easier on the girls [and servers] that we have,” said Marquesen.
He said the Nite Owl and Backroom Restaurants started leasing their robot, also named Rosy, from Bear Robotics last year at $600 dollars a month. It carries plates and food back and forth for 12 hours before needing a charge, but Marquesen said it’s not the same as a waiter.
“It doesn’t take orders, it doesn’t take money,” said Marquesen. “It’s just a tool.”
He compared it to store clerks using scanners at check out versus punching in numbers manually. On the other hand, Marquesen said he’s also seen artificial intelligence taking a bigger, full-service role that starts with the customer’s order.
“I don’t know that in a small town we’re going to go to that. Hopefully not, I’d rather have the employees,” said Marquesen. “But you never know.”
In 1953, Ford introduced the Thunderbird as a direct response to Chevrolet’s Corvette. While the Corvette was marketed as a sports car, Ford promoted the Thunderbird as a personal luxury car, By 1955, the Thunderbird was outselling the Corvette by 23 to 1.
Shown below are some of the Ford Thunderbirds in the Montana Auto Museum in the Old Montana Prison in Deer Lodge, Montana.
1956 Ford Thunderbird
This car sold new for $3,151.
1957 Ford Thunderbird
This car sold new for $3,408.
1957 Ford Thunderbird
This car sold new for $3,406.
1963 Ford Thunderbird
This car sold new for $4,548.
Note: these photos were taken on September 21, 2025.
We’ll get straight to the point: The financial hardships that Daily Kos is facing this year are tough.
We continue to be paywall-free. We continue to be supported by our readers, not billionaires or corporations. But we need to bring in more revenue. We are leaning on our community more than ever to help make ends meet.
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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 18, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 18 drawing
09-14-44-50-56, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from July 18 drawing
13-17-22-28-40, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from July 18 drawing
10-11-14-22, Bonus: 11
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 18 drawing
05-11-25-26-64, Powerball: 11
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from July 18 drawing
12-13-26-33-43
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 18 drawing
18-23-28-32-49, Bonus: 03
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.
We recognize you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which
enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore access cannot be granted at this time.
For any issues, call 406-535-3401.
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