Montana

Thousands of pounds of pork bound for Montana food banks following feral swine investigation

Published

2 months ago

October 27, 2025

Thousands of pounds of pork bound for Montana food banks following feral swine investigation

After the state intervened to trap about 100 swine demonstrating feral behaviors, Montana food banks are slated to receive an influx of pork this week.

Late last month, Wildlife Services, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s umbrella, tipped off the Montana Department of Livestock that it might have a feral swine population on its hands.

Wildlife Services, which intervenes when landowners report conflicts with wildlife, had been called to Phillips County in north-central Montana to investigate a potential bear conflict. The agency didn’t find evidence of bear activity, but it did find hoof prints, pig scat and other signs consistent with swine presence. The day after Wildlife Services visited the site near Malta along the Hi-Line, the state started looking into the matter and learned that approximately 100 pigs were running uncontained and “beginning to demonstrate behaviors and characteristics consistent with feral swine populations,” according to a press release.

The Montana Legislature passed a law in 2015 prohibiting the importation, transportation or possession of feral swine. Intentionally, knowingly or negligently allowing swine to live in a “feral state” is also illegal. By passing the law, policymakers sought to ward off issues states and provinces have reported with feral swine, which can damage crops and wetlands, prey on wildlife and spread a form of brucellosis that can be transmitted to humans.

Neighboring areas, most notably Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada, have grappled with feral swine populations for years, and wildlife managers there and in the U.S. consider them to be an invasive species.

Montana State Veterinarian Tahnee Szymanski told Montana Free Press that feral swine can become established in three ways: they can migrate into Montana from an area with an established population, they can be introduced — illegally — by hunters eager to pursue them for sport, or they can develop when domestic animals are freed from the “normal checks and balances” associated with livestock production.

“Domestic swine, left to their own devices for a couple of generations, actually revert back to feral behavior very quickly,” Szymanski said. “This is a really good reminder that a potential feral swine population could crop up anywhere in the state.”

The state livestock department receives about six reports per year of potential feral swine sightings. All of them have turned out to be “owned domestic swine running at large,” according to an agency press release.

In this particular case, there were some unique circumstances related to a death in the family that owned the swine, Szymanski said.

“This situation just kind of got out of control,” she said. “It has been allowed to maybe fester a little bit longer than a traditional circumstance we would encounter.”

An image encouraging Montana citizens to help minimize the amount of feral swine. Credit: Courtesy of Montana Department of Livestock

Syzmanski said trapping operations began earlier this month, and all parties involved are pleased the meat will be distributed at food banks around the state.

On Oct. 18, the first swine shipment arrived at Producer Partnership, a nonprofit animal processing facility that works with agricultural producers to turn donated livestock into food for schools and other nonprofits. Trapping operations are ongoing with another 30-45 animals yet to be collected, Szymanski told MTFP on Oct. 22.

Producer Partnership is the country’s only nonprofit meat processing facility inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A product of the COVID-19 pandemic, Producer Partnership is located between Big Timber and Livingston and employs about 10 people.

Producer Partnership president and founder Matt Pierson estimates that the Montana Food Bank Network will receive between 8,000 and 14,000 pounds of pork from the swine. He said he’s unaware of any other organizations set up to take on these kinds of “oddball projects.”

“Our hope through this partnership is that people realize there’s a more amicable, better way to solve these issues without just going in and shooting everything,” he said. “It helps solve a problem for the state, and it helps put all that meat into the food bank.”

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Thousands of pounds of pork bound for Montana food banks following feral swine investigation

In late September, Wildlife Services alerted the Montana Department of Livestock to a potential feral swine issue involving about 100 animals in Phillips County, and the state began trapping the animals and delivered them to a nonprofit meat-processing facility shortly thereafter. The animals are now expected to provide a bounty of pork for food banks around the state. Matt Pierson, president and founder of Producer Partnership, said the arrangement will allow for a “better resolution” for all involved.

New law requires election officials to reject mail ballots that aren’t signed with voters’ birth years

Montana voters are having their first encounter with a new requirement to provide their birth year on the back of mail-in ballot envelopes alongside the previously required signature line. The change is a result of a legislative mandate aimed at enhancing mail election security. Election officials in Montana’s two largest counties, Yellowstone and Missoula, said the change had already forced them to reject hundreds of ballots in early returns.

Born from tragedy, Great Falls nonprofit Toby’s House provides free child care for families in need

Cascade County child care centers meet just 71% of the area demand, and a 2021 study described a “severe shortage” of child care capacity in Great Falls with an estimated 580 children in need of child care that wasn’t available. In that landscape, Toby’s House offers free, drop-in care that specializes in crisis intervention.

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Montana

Nestled Next To Glacier National Park Is Montana’s Charming Town With Casinos And Ethereal Mountain Views – Islands

Published

12 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Nestled Next To Glacier National Park Is Montana’s Charming Town With Casinos And Ethereal Mountain Views – Islands

Roel Portraits/Shutterstock

Montana’s Glacier National Park is full of beautiful destinations, from stunning waterfalls to a hidden mountain passage with breathtaking alpine views. But when you visit this legendary national park, don’t miss the hidden gems right outside the park’s limits — like the charming small town of Browning, located on the Blackfoot Reservation, which boasts magnificent mountain views as well as a casino to try your luck at. This delightful town also has a wealth of outdoor activities and cultural sites on offer — and that’s not to mention its prime location just 15 minutes away from the eastern edge of Glacier National Park.

To get to Browning, you’ll likely want to fly to Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, about 91 miles away, then rent a car and enjoy a beautiful drive the rest of the journey. Alternatively, you can grab a taxi from the airport to the nearby Whitefish Amtrak Station, before embarking on a 2.5-hour Amtrak train ride that will take you to Browning. Either way, one thing is for certain: you’ll be treated to unbeatable scenery out the window along the way.

Visiting the Glacier Peaks Casino in Browning, Montana

Simonkr/Getty Images

Who needs the overpriced games and bad vibes at Las Vegas’ Bighorn Casino when you’ve got Browning’s Glacier Peaks Casino as an option? If you’re over 18 and in the mood to take a gamble, you won’t want to miss out on visiting this entertainment hotspot. Open all hours of the day and night, this casino wonderland contains over 500 slot machines as well as table games, a bar, and a restaurant. Keep an eye on their website to see what special events are in the pipeline, from poker tournaments to the weekly “Jersey Monday” deal, where visitors wearing football jerseys get $10 of free play.

Adjacent to the casino is the Glacier Peaks Hotel, which boasts a business center, gym, indoor heated swimming pool, and other amenities, making it a modern and comfortable accommodation whether you’re in town for fun or for work. If you’re staying in the hotel — or if you simply want a break from the casino floor — the aptly-named Jackpot Restaurant onsite serves up classic American cuisine all day. Fuel yourself for more fun and games with everything from delectable biscuits and eggs to nachos to smash burgers and pizza.

Outdoor activities in Browning, Montana

Wild Goose Island at sunrise in Glacier National Park

Weidman Photography/Shutterstock

A trip to this scenic locale wouldn’t be complete without making the most of the incredible natural views on offer. One particularly worthwhile lookout point from which to enjoy panoramic views of the area is Wild Goose Island Lookout. Park at the pullout and walk to the nearby overlook to get a view of Wild Goose Island. This tiny isle rises just 14 feet above St Mary Lake in a perfect postcard-worthy image, and is dwarfed by towering mountains.

Visitors eager to earn a mountain view with some movement can opt for one of the many trails in and around Browning. For a short (and handicap-accessible) walk, try Running Eagle Falls. While this out-and-back route clocks in at just 0.7 miles in total, it punches above its weight when it comes to payoff with a stunning waterfall. Experienced hikers in search of a challenge can consider tackling Triple Divide Pass, a difficult 14-mile hike that will take you through the less-heavily-trafficked Cutbank portion of Glacier National Park. After steep mountain uphills, you’ll find yourself overlooking Medicine Grizzly Lake. Note that if you choose to embark on this route, you’ll want to download offline maps, as cell signal in the park is extremely limited.

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Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 10, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 10, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 10 drawing

10-16-29-33-69, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 10 drawing

05-07-14-16-45, Lucky Ball: 11

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 10 drawing

03-13-37-42-44, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 10 drawing

02-16-18-31, Bonus: 06

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 10 drawing

02-12-27-29-34

Check Montana Cash 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.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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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Montana energy task force tackles future power demands amid AI data center proposals

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Press Room

Montana energy task force tackles future power demands amid AI data center proposals

Gov. Greg Gianforte’s Energy Task Force is looking to address growing energy needs and the potential for hyperscale artificial intelligence data centers.

Sonja Nowakowski, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality director, serves as the task force’s chair, and says the group is still in the early phases.

“Right now we’re kind of looking at problem statements and defining what barriers are out there to energy development in Montana, and then the next steps will be moving towards solutions,” said Nowakowski.

Montana is no stranger to data centers. With Atlas Power in Butte drawing 75 megawatts of computing power, Beowulf Energy in Harden drawing 100 megawatts in crypto-mining load and smaller state and private centers that draw less than five megawatts.

But Nowakowski says the state’s power infrastructure isn’t ready for larger proposals — pointing to Sabey Data Centers proposed 250 megawatt datacenter in Butte, Beowulf Energy’s proposed 300 megawatts of data center load, and Quantica Infrastructure as high as 1,000 megawatts in Yellowstone County.

“We know that NorthWestern’s balancing authority isn’t really set up to deal with that. We have to make some moves and some changes if projects like that are going to move forward and be viable and so that’s why we’re having these hard conversations,” said Nowakowski.

Nowakowski says the state is discussing innovative uses of geothermal and nuclear power to increase supply, but says everything is on the table including wind, solar, coal, natural gas and enhanced hydro, which are already in use.

“It wholeheartedly has to be some of the all of the above, with a recognition though, that you’re going to have some of that baseload thermal power potentially, unless we’re going to make this big transition into nuclear,” said Nowakowski.

Nowakowski says the state and region have been slow to move toward new generation, due to efficiency gains and lack of economic demand growth. But the task force hopes to pivot toward rapidly increasing generation.

“We haven’t done that in 30 years at least or 40 years even, where we’ve been on that incline where we are building generation and we’re recognizing all that comes with that,” said Nowakowski.

Nowakowski says mitigating generation and transmission are critical to the task force’s discussion, but solutions aren’t short-term projects.

“How we make sure we protect Montana’s ratepayers Have those hard conversations and then have the larger broader conversation about how do we quicken some of these timelines? What steps can we as government take to facilitate Private market discussions that move these projects along a little bit more quickly,” said Nowakowski.

The task force will provide detailed reports to Gianforte in September 2026 and January 2027.

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