Miley Cyrus Claims Dad Billy Ray Once Smoked Pot on ‘Hannah Montana’ Set
Montana
Yellowstone County Commissioners pick Kerr-Carpenter to replace Kelker in the Montana Senate • Daily Montanan
One familiar face is the leaving the Montana Senate, one familiar face will take her place.
Longtime Yellowstone County leader and state Sen. Kathy Kelker, D-Billings, submitted her resignation last week to the Yellowstone County Democratic Central Committee. Kelker has been a leader at the city, county and state levels having served on the Billings Public Schools Board as well as in the Montana Legislature and with the area Head Start program.
On Tuesday morning, the Yellowstone County Commission met to interview and select Kelker’s replacement from a list of three candidates whom the Democrats forwarded for consideration. They unanimously chose Montana State Rep. Emma Kerr-Carpenter, who had just won re-election to the Montana House, representing the central core of the state’s largest city, Billings.
By state law, if a vacancy for the Legislature occurs, the central committee from that political party, in this case, Democratic, forwards three candidates for the selection by the commissioners. In this particular case, the Yellowstone County Commissioners are all Republicans selecting a Democrat, but all three admitted after the interviews that they couldn’t have made a bad decision.
“The advantage she has is her legislative experience,” said Commissioner Don Jones. “If we select Emma Kerr-Carpenter, she’s familiar with the issues and ready to go.”
The commissioners said that it was Kerr-Carpenter’s previous legislative experience and her openness in communication that would help get her up to speed with just about a month remaining until the opening of the Legislature. The process of replacing Kelker has ended, but the process to replace Kerr-Carpenter in the House will likely follow a similar path with a quick turnaround ending up back in front of the Yellowstone County Commission.
In her interview with the Yellowstone County Commission, Kerr-Carpenter spoke mainly of two issues, crime and public safety, as well as the cost of living. Both of those issues seemed to resonate well with the commissioners, who are in the process of trying to figure out how to handle an exploding jail population, and low reimbursement rates from the state for the prisoners it houses at county facilities.
“These are big hairy issues that take partnerships up and down the line, from state to county to city,” she said.
Her previous experience in the Legislature, which she’s been a part of since 2019, include serving on appropriations for public safety. She said that has helped her understand the complexity of the problems. She said that in addition to addressing issues like reimbursement rates for prisoners, the lawmakers must also consider more judges and public defenders.
She also said the 2025 Legislature must look at more ways to bring down the cost of living.
“We’re just pricing people out of their homes,” Kerr-Carpenter said.
Other candidates
The county commissioners seemed pleased with the other two candidates, and may see them back if they decide to seek Kerr-Carpenter’s House seat. Dr. Mark Nicholson, who ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature last month, as well as former U.S. Navy intelligence officer Rudolf Haden, who was beat out by Rep. Sherry Essmann, R-Billings, applied for Kelker’s open seat and are likely candidates.
Nicholson said that his background as a physician handling complex problems can help steer the Legislature through Medicaid reauthorization, a process expected to be contentious in the upcoming session. He pointed out that in addition to understanding the nuances of healthcare from a provider perspective, he also understands that to Yellowstone County, it’s the largest business sector.
He said as he door-knocked more than 5,000 homes during the campaign season that he heard about healthcare, property taxes and crime. He pointed out that the average per-capita crime rate in Billings is about 98% higher than most places in America.
“Billings does have a problem,” Nicholson said. “We need more jail space, we need more judges. But we also need to give people better alternatives and that means better schools.”
He said that the state continues to dump prisoners and parolees in Billings and it is not paying its fair share.
“Billings is sometimes being treated as the ATM of the rest of the state,” Nicholson said.
He also said that property taxes are a matter of simply lowering the taxation rate, as the Montana Department of Revenue had recommended.
“There are all these Rube Goldberg ways of adjusting property taxes that are being talked about,” Nicholson said, “but there is a simple, certain way to reduce the taxes that is straightforward, and that’s by reducing the multiplier.”
Haden, who served for several decades in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer, stressed that communicating back and forth among constituents is something that he’s literally trained for because of his background in the military.
He said that the top issue he heard while campaigning in Billings Heights was the cost of living.
“Since I’ve been back, I have seen my taxes go up,” Haden said. “And the cost of groceries: My refrigerator is a black hole.”
He said that one of the ways that the Legislature could help would be to encourage more housing and different types of housing. Driving around the core of Billings, there are buildings and spaces that are in need of transformation.
After the commissioners selected Kerr-Carpenter, Yellowstone County District Court Judge Collette Davies swore her in immediately. Kelker’s term runs through Jan. 4, 2027.
Montana
‘Hannah Montana’ Alum Mitchel Musso Reveals Why He Missed 20th Anniversary Special With Miley Cyrus
Hannah Montana star Mitchel Musso was noticeably absent from the show’s 20th anniversary special earlier this year — and now he’s revealing why.
“Of course they asked me [to be in it],” Musso, 34, revealed on the “Joe Vulpis Podcast” on Wednesday, June 24. “But, it wasn’t presented correctly [to me].”
Musso appeared in more than 70 episodes of the classic Disney Channel comedy series, playing Miley Stewart’s (Cyrus) best friend Oliver Oken alongside Emily Osment’s Lilly Truscott.
The star explained to host Joe Vulpis that he truly valued the opportunity to play Oliver again since he’d mostly been living outside the spotlight for the past decade. Instead, Disney opted for a retrospective look back at Hannah Montana.
Mitchel Musso, Emily Osment and Miley Cyrus on “Hannah Montana.” Joel Warren / Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection
“I’ve been waiting ten years,” he stressed. “The people, they say, 20. My break’s been 10. It’s too long of a wait to do it in a way that isn’t even close to, in my opinion, correct.”
The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special aired in March and featured Cyrus, 33, looking back on memorable moments from the show, alongside host Alex Cooper and celebrity guests such as Chappell Roan and Selena Gomez.
In his new interview, Musso said he would relish the chance of actually getting to play Oliver again in a proper Hannah Montana episode.
“I need a wig,” he joked. “I’d want the hair, which is fine. I’ve worn [wigs] plenty of times on Disney. I’ve worn plenty of wigs. … I’d want to feel the part again. I’d want to put on that little polo again, and wear the … plaid shorts with the goofy shoes.”
The actor went on, “I’d want to play the character, yeah. Once I saw myself doing it, I’d say, ‘Oh, there you are!’ Let’s get out there and let’s do it.”
Musso was not the only major Hannah Montana cast member missing from the anniversary special, as Osment, 34, could not appear due to her filming obligationa on CBS sitcom Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.
“We’re at Georgie & Mandy … and that’s why I was not able to be part of the 20-year reunion, because we are here shooting our show,” she said in a social media video at the time. “But I wanted to say hello and thank you to everybody that has stuck by us for all these years. I’m so grateful that you guys all still love the show. I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
Ahead of the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special airing in March, Musso paid tribute to the show with his own Instagram post.
Miley Cyrus is still fielding questions about Hannah Montana more than a decade after its end — and she has some hilarious memories to share. During the Thursday, June 19, episode of her mom Tish Cyrus and sister Brandi Cyrus’ “Sorry We’re Cyrus” podcast, the Grammy winner, 32, opened up about a moment that never […]
“Hannah Montana wrapped around my heart and never really let go. We literally grew up with ya’ll — long days, crazy schedules, learning lines, cracking up between takes, and figuring out life while the cameras rolled,” he wrote. “It taught me so many wonderful values, but the most important ‘to me’ is that laughter can get you through the tough days. That confidence still sticks with me every single day.”
He also shouted out his costars, writing, “Miley, Emily, Jason [Earles], Billy Ray [Cyrus], Moises [Arias], and the whole crew at Disney — you became my family through all the real, messy, beautiful moments. Thank you for believing in a goofy kid from Texas who wore some questionable outfits with a haircut like that. To all of you, thank you for welcoming me into your homes and hearts 20 years ago and still allowing me to be here today. I’m honored we get to share all of this together.”
Hannah Montana originally aired for four seasons between 2006 and 2011. Classic episodes, as well as the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, can be streamed via Disney+.
ELK PARK — A father and his four sons reported missing near Elk Park were found safe after their vehicle became disabled, according to Butte-Silver Bow County Sheriff Ed Lester.
They were found walking along a roadway around 5 p.m. north of Maney Lake, according to Lester.
Rescuers from 15-90 Search and Rescue, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) were able to reach the group and transport them to safety.
“We are very happy that everyone is safe. We appreciate the hard work of the rescuers and the coordination among Jefferson, Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Powell, and Silver Bow counties,” Lester said in a statement.
(original report) Law enforcement and search and rescue teams are searching for a missing father and his four sons near Elk Park, just off Interstate 15, after the group failed to return from a fishing trip north of Butte.
The group has been missing for nearly 24 hours. Three of the four boys are Type 1 diabetics in need of insulin.
WATCH: Law enforcement and search and rescue teams near Butte, Montana are searching for a missing father and four sons. Three of the boys are Type 1 diabetics in urgent need of insulin
Search expands for missing Butte family as friend reveals 3 of 4 boys are Type 1 diabetics
Courtney Mosier, a family friend who drove from Helena to assist in the search, said the urgency of the situation is critical.
“There (are) four little boys that range from ages 14 to 10. Three of the little boys are Type 1 diabetics. They need their insulin. They need their sugar. They need to be found immediately,” Mosier said.
Mosier has known the father, Paul Klimpel, her whole life and said his outdoor experience is a reassuring factor.
“Paul is an avid outdoorsman. Like I said, I’ve known him my whole life. If the truck broke down, Paul would be able to fix it. So, luckily they’re with a really, really, really good adult. We just need to find these children,” Mosier said.
Meagan Thompson
According to a press release from Butte Sheriff Ed Lester, police are searching for the group in the Brown’s Gulch, American Gulch, Flume Gulch, and Bernice area north of Butte. Officials are also searching the Homestake and Delome Lake areas.
The last known location of the group came from a cell phone ping near Maney Lake.
“The last ping from one of the little boys’ cell phone was up near Maney Lake so that’s where the family is at currently right now,” Mosier said.
Butte-Silver Bow County Sheriff’s Office Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff’s Office
Anyone who spots a white Ford Ranger flatbed pickup is encouraged to call law enforcement at 406-497-1120.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Montana
Social media star Montana Tucker to host Maccabiah Games delegation parade | The Jerusalem Post
Ahead of the 2026 Maccabiah Games, an event often called the “Jewish Olympics” and the largest Jewish sporting competition in the world, which are set to begin next week, social media influencer, dancer, and singer, Montana Tucker expressed her excitement to be hosting the delegation parade at the event and said that the games were taking place at a critical point for the global Jewish community.
“Israel has gone through a lot, Israelis have gone through a lot, Jews have gone through a lot around the world,” Tucker told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday. “What’s going on is not just happening in Israel; it’s really happening all around the world with our Jewish community. So, an event like the Maccabiah Games is showing the world that we are strong, we are united, and we don’t give up, and we keep fighting.”
According to Maccabiah, the games bring together more than 10,000 athletes from at least 80 countries in Israel every four years to compete in over 45 sports. The Maccabi World Union says the games are the second-largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics.
The 2026 Maccabiah Games, the 22nd of their kind, were initially scheduled for last year but were postponed due to the security situation involving Iran and its regional proxies.
“This was supposed to happen last year, and about a month away, we had to cancel it due to the war,” Tucker recalled. “And so I am so grateful that it is happening this year, because we truly do need this now more than ever.”
She also said she was excited to debut her new song “We’re Not Strangers” at the event.
“It’s all about unity and building bridges and bringing people together. And some of the lyrics say ‘we may pray to different saviors, but we’re not strangers,’” she told the Post. “Our world is so divided right now. I think that we really just need to come together and have more unity and compassion and understanding of one another. And if we really talk to people who look differently than us, act differently than us, have a different religion than us, we’ll realize we’re actually more similar than we think.”
Montana Tucker: Sport ‘truly unites the world’
Sports, she said, was an ideal method to build these bridges, adding she viewed it as something that “truly unites the world.”
The Maccabiah Games this year, though, will be the first since the Hamas-led massacres in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The attacks sparked a regional eruption with Israel fighting wars against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Islamic regime in Iran.
“We always have to talk about what happened on October 7,” Tucker said. “We should never stop talking about it. And I think it is so important that Maccabiah is utilizing this platform to talk about it. I know they actually have a former hostage, Daniella Gilboa, who’s going to be performing, which is so powerful.”
Tucker also highlighted the value of the games, saying they were a powerful tool to dispel disinformation about the Jewish state.
“What’s shown on the news nowadays is just all the negativity. Most of it is just propaganda and lies about what Israel is, and I think the Maccabiah just debunks every possible propaganda and lie about Israel,” she said. “When people say the word ‘Israel,’ it comes with so many different connotations, and I think we can show them this. This is Israel. This is what being Jewish means.”
A key element in showing the world what Israel and being Jewish mean, she reiterated, meant showcasing Jewish unity at a time when, in the wake of the October 7, the global Jewish community has faced a worldwide rise in antisemitism.
The games themselves are being held under the slogan, “More Than Ever,” according to Maccabiah, to emphasize “the importance of strengthening the bond between [Jewish] communities worldwide and the State of Israel.”
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