Montana

WARNING: Really Powerful Winds To Rock Western Montana Tuesday

Published

2 years ago

June 3, 2024

WARNING: Really Powerful Winds To Rock Western Montana Tuesday

Montana travelers need to stay on their toes through Wednesday morning for very strong winds for most of western half of the state. Gusts up to 65 mph will be a hazard for dozens of counties.

Montana towns and rural areas alike will be affected by these gusty winds all day Tuesday and into Wednesday morning. Towing will be more dangerous and there’s a very good chance of debris or branches on roadways.

A HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.
WHAT…West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
WHERE…Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, Gates of the Mountains, and Helena Valley.
WHEN…From Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning.
IMPACTS…Tree damage and isolated power outages are possible given the emergence of foliage.
Strong crosswinds will cause difficult travel for drivers of high profile vehicles or those towing trailers.
High winds may move loose debris and damage property.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The most widespread and intense winds are most likely to occur Tuesday afternoon and evening; however, periods of high winds outside of this timeframe are also expected.

Northern Montana will be extremely windy. Extra caution should be used and giving other vehicles plenty of room is a good idea. Expect semi trucks to swerve in the wind. Gusty crosswinds could develop suddenly.

HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TUESDAY TO NOON MDT WEDNESDAY.
WHAT…West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected.
WHERE…Eastern Toole and Liberty Counties, Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton Counties, Hill County, Northern Blaine County, and Western and Central Chouteau County.
WHEN…From 9 AM Tuesday to noon Wednesday.
IMPACTS…High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages.
Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind.

HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM MONDAY EVENING TO NOON WEDNESDAY.
WHAT…West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected.
WHERE…Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine County, Cascade County below 5000ft, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap, and Fergus County below 4500ft.
WHEN…From 6 PM Monday evening to noon Wednesday.
IMPACTS…Tree damage and isolated power outages are expected given the emergence of foliage.
Strong crosswinds will cause difficult travel for drivers of high profile vehicles or those towing trailers. High winds may move loose debris and damage property.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The most widespread and intense winds are most likely to occur Tuesday afternoon and evening; however, periods of high winds outside of this timeframe are also expected.

Best Groups for Montana Foraging and Mushroom Hunting

If you love gathering fresh and wild edibles, these are the best online resources to learn the basics or share your expertise. Foraging is a labor of love for special food, and it requires important knowledge along with lots of patience. Check these out!

Gallery Credit: mwolfe

Top 5 RV Parks in Montana

When you need more than just a campground, you might need an RV park! Especially if you like to travel the country in a proper Recreational Vehicle, you need to know where to find good places to park for a few days. Montana is home to some very fine RV parks. Here are some of the best that Montana has to offer when you’re on the road.

Gallery Credit: mwolfe

32 Interesting Photos of Montana’s Fantastic Dive Bars

Let’s take a simple tour through Montana’s towns, big and small. We’re on a quest to catch the vibe of Montana’s best dive bars – what they look like and where you’ll find them.

Gallery Credit: mwolfe

Source link

Click to comment

Montana

Montana minimum wage increases to $10.85 | Explore Big Sky

Published

5 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Montana minimum wage increases to .85 | Explore Big Sky

By Micah Drew DAILY MONTANAN

With the start of the new year, Montanans on the lowest end of the pay scale will get a small boost as the state’s mandatory minimum wage increase goes into effect.

As of Jan. 1, Montana’s minimum wage increased from $10.55 to $10.85.

Stemming from a 2006 law, Montana’s minimum wage is subject to a cost-of-living adjustment, based on the national increase in the consumer price index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

According to state law, Montana businesses not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act are those whose gross annual sales are $110,000 or less may pay $4 per hour.

Montana is one of 30 states — plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands — that have a minimum wage higher than the federal rate of $7.25.

Twelve states, plus D.C. adjust their wages annually based on set formulas.

Montana has one of the lowest minimum wages that exceeds federal levels, with only West Virginia coming in lower among states at $8.75. The highest minimum wage is in D.C., at $17.25.

Source link

Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 7, 2026

Published

17 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

15-28-57-58-63, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

05-14-15-21-39, Lucky Ball: 10

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

03-18-25-45-50, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

05-09-12-15, Bonus: 02

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

28-41-50-61-68, Powerball: 05

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

09-11-13-16-40

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.

Source link

Montana

California woman sentenced for smuggling attempt at border in Montana

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

California woman sentenced for smuggling attempt at border in Montana

MISSOULA, Mont. — A California woman who tried to smuggle her husband into the United States through northwest Montana has been sentenced to six months of probation, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.

Tracy Routh Lautenslager, 54, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to bring an alien into the United States at a location other than a designated port of entry. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over the case.

Court documents allege Lautenslager entered the U.S. through the Roosville Port of Entry on April 1, 2025, then drove to the Swisher Lake area near Lake Koocanusa. Border Patrol agents later learned a man had crossed the border on foot nearby. Canadian authorities eventually apprehended the man, identified as Lautenslager’s husband, a citizen of Great Britain with no legal status in the U.S.

Investigators say Lautenslager admitted the couple planned to avoid the port of entry by having her husband cross illegally while she drove into the U.S. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Stack and investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol as part of Operation Take Back America.

Source link