Montana

The foods that really make a Montana summer | Opinion

Published

9 months ago

June 14, 2025

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The foods that really make a Montana summer | Opinion

Lisa Schmidt
| Special to the Great Falls Tribune

Summer celebrations in Montana queue up like cows on winter hay.

This past weekend, the line was long.

I couldn’t help but notice that food was at the center of all of these celebrations.

Friday night, my daughter, Abby, my mom and I enjoyed Whoop-Up burgers at the Conrad Whoop-Up rodeo.

Thin, gray, chewy patties topped with mushy grilled onions are required fare at every outdoor party in Conrad and the rodeo is no exception.

A food critic would take one bite then throw the rest to a dog, but something about these burgers is as integral to enjoying the rodeo as watching Z-Man the clown save tiny, innocent children from the ravages of mutton-busting.

Yes, years ago, I, too, sadistically signed up my sweet, 35-pound daughter to cling to a panicked ewe dashing and dodging in front of a cheering crowd.

Fortunately, Z-Man grabbed her belt before she hit the hard-packed dirt or I would still be hearing about the repercussions of this tradition.

On Friday night, we chewed — and chewed — on Whoop-Up burgers as we gleefully watched the next generation of torture victims.

Somehow, magically, both the burgers and action were delightful.

By Saturday morning, we were parked at the first Great Falls Farmers Market of the summer, touting our beef and lamb.

The street was packed with people who had waited all spring to stroll among booths, visit with neighbors and nibble on pork on a stick, fruit bowls and cupcakes so pretty a person hesitated to desecrate them.

But only momentarily.

Then temptation won and teeth sank into mounds of colorful frosting.

By Saturday evening, I resolved to only eat more nutritious food.

My resolution would have to wait.

Sunday afternoon was reserved for a celebration of the life of a friend who left too soon.

Six months ago, Bob didn’t know cancer was consuming his pancreas and liver.

He was hunting elk and hugging his wife, Le Ann, worried only about the next step in remodeling their winter home in Arizona.

Bob and Le Ann played an integral role in raising my kids.

Le Ann introduced my son, Will, to retired fighter pilots.

Those two colonels paid it forward, outlining the steps Will needed to take so he, too, could fly 1000 miles an hour in a jet loaded with an arsenal.

Bob and Le Ann came to every one of Abby’s birthday parties, endured every one of my attempts to provide an edible dinner and birthday cake.

They soon learned to have food waiting in their fridge at home, just in case my efforts failed.

In my defense, one time I followed the actual recipe for lamb ribs.

Against my better judgment.

I couldn’t understand how those ribs would be cooked in 15 minutes, but I’m not a food scientist. What did I know?

With one bite, Bob, Le Ann, the other guests and I all came to the same conclusion: I should have trusted my instincts.

All of us trusted our instincts after that single bite and gave those raw ribs to the chickens.

Now, an invitation to dinner at my house implies that guests have other food waiting at home, just in case.

That story was just one of many that I could have shared at Bob’s memorial service while we all enjoyed the cookies Bob loved.

As Abby and I drove home, I thought about the integral link between food and celebrations.

Feelings are heightened when bites are taken.

Gray burgers, frosted cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies strengthen bonds of shared experiences.

Food wraps each of us in the culture of the West, traditions and memories.

But food is better when it is cooked.

Lisa Schmidt raises grass-fed beef and lamb at the Graham Ranch near Conrad. Lisa can be reached at L.Schmidt@a-land-of-grass-ranch.com.

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Montana

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Published

3 hours ago

March 5, 2026

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Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.

“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.

Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.

In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.

Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.

Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.

A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.

“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.

A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.

This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”

In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.

In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.

“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.

The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 4, 2026

Published

15 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing

33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing

01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing

03-04-06-08-10

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, 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.

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University of Montana president job draws high interest • Daily Montanan

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

University of Montana president job draws high interest • Daily Montanan

The search for a new University of Montana president has drawn more than 60 applicants, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

“We do not have an exact count at this time, as several applications are still being completed and additional submissions are expected,” said spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner Galen Hollenbaugh in an email earlier this week.

In January, then-UM-President Seth Bodnar announced his resignation to pursue other public service. Wednesday, the final day of filing, he announced he was running as an independent for the U.S. Senate to try to unseat Republican incumbent Steve Daines.

Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian earlier said that with the advice of AGB Search, a firm that’s helped the Montana University System conduct other executive searches, he would undertake an expedited process to appoint a new president.

Christian has been providing brief updates on a website dedicated to the search. Last week, he said he and AGB Search are reviewing applications, and the pool of candidates was “strong and diverse.”

The commissioner also announced he was convening a small working group to assist in the search, members who “represent a variety of perspectives to assist in vetting and narrowing this field of exceptional candidates.”

In an email this week, Hollenbaugh identified the members of the working group who are assisting Christian with application review as: