Montana
Youth Climate Activists Are Finally Getting Their Day in Court
![Youth Climate Activists Are Finally Getting Their Day in Court Youth Climate Activists Are Finally Getting Their Day in Court](https://assets.teenvogue.com/photos/6481f8d69e24d4305e205e2a/16:9/w_1280,c_limit/Screen%20Shot%202023-06-08%20at%2011.50.28%20AM.png)
Yet Montana is on the front lines of climate change. Over the past decade, fiery summers have turned the state’s expansive blue skies gray and yellow with ash, scorched dense evergreen forests and rendered great tracts of ranchlands useless.
Despite this, Montana lawmakers recently passed a bill curbing climate impact reviews for large fossil fuel projects. Opponents of the legislation say it was written as a reaction to a revoked permit for a NorthWestern Energy methane gas plant in Yellowstone County. It’s the latest in what policy experts consider a pattern of state policies that are friendlier toward energy interests than public interests. The plaintiffs argue that lawmakers have consciously prioritized the development of fossil fuels over the well-being of residents and the protection of public resources, including rivers, lakes, and wildlife.
The suit is “critically important at a time when our state government is actively undermining the things that make Montana unique,” said Hornbein. “We have a government that really seems bent on destroying it, frankly.”
The state has tried repeatedly to have the case dismissed. Legislators even attempted to change environmental protection laws to remove the legal basis of the complaint. The attorney general asked the state Supreme Court to take the case out of Seeley’s court and issue a stay blocking discovery just as the deposition of expert witnesses was to begin. It denied both requests. Seeley rejected yet another motion to dismiss late last month, though she did rule that the legislature’s recent repeal of the State Energy Policy, which the plaintiffs argue explicitly endorsed the development and use of fossil fuels, rendered that point moot and would not be considered at trial.
Attorneys with Our Children’s Trust were too busy preparing to comment, but senior attorney Nate Bellinger told the Helena Independent-Record the case is “strong legally and factually.” The state constitution, he notes, clearly and specifically states that residents enjoy an inalienable right to a clean and healthful environment. “The courts over the years have given meaning to that constitutional language,” he said.
Before that language was added to the constitution in 1972, the state was even friendlier toward extractive business interests, said Alex Skuntz, a University of Montana law student who has been researching and following the case closely. In that time, some likened Montana to a resource colony, one ruled by the “Copper Kings” who dominated state politics and culture and fought against pollution regulations while, say, insisting on the benefits of arsenic. “Things didn’t pass unless industry wanted them to pass,” said Skuntz, who was until this spring editor in chief of Public Land and Resources Review. As the copper industry grew, so did the environmental disasters associated with it, and the reign of the Copper Kings became the subject of massive grassroots opposition.
In 1972, amid a national flurry of environmental laws and increased concern within Montana about the pace and impacts of environmental destruction, a bipartisan group of 100 delegates rewrote the state constitution in hopes of overturning the oligarchy of private interests that had historically run things. Montana followed Pennsylvania to become the second state in the union to assure its citizens the right to clean air and water (New York became the third in 2021).
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Montana
South Florida truck driver convicted of trying to coerce minor for sex in Montana
![South Florida truck driver convicted of trying to coerce minor for sex in Montana South Florida truck driver convicted of trying to coerce minor for sex in Montana](https://res.cloudinary.com/graham-media-group/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/c_thumb,w_700/v1/media/gmg/W2JH27XH4ZHFRDYZWERUXR35ZY.png?_a=DATAdtfiZAA0)
MISSOULA, Mont. – A federal jury convicted a South Florida truck driver Wednesday of trying to coerce a minor for sex while passing through Montana in 2023.
Stevenson Metelus, 36, of Margate, now faces 10 years to life in prison after being found guilty of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor after a three-day trial in Missoula, Montana federal court.
According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, an undercover FBI special agent posed as a girl on prostitution site MegaPersonals, posting an advertisement for prostitution services in Missoula.
They said Metelus responded to the ad on Nov. 16, 2023 and negotiated a price and sex acts to engage in with her, despite believing that she was a minor.
Authorities said Metelus asked the girl to meet him in his truck, but the agent posing as the girl said she had a room at a hotel and would leave the door open for him, then offered to meet him at a nearby gas station “when he expressed concern about the plan.”
“The undercover FBI agent had confidential source call Metelus and, acting as (the girl), spoke briefly with him,” the DOJ news release states “The confidential source again told Metelus that she was a minor. The parties then confirmed their plans to meet. Shortly thereafter, Metelus texted (the girl) that he had arrived at the gas station, where law enforcement arrested him.”
Authorities said Metelus later admitted he intended to meet the girl for commercial sex.
Aside from a long prison term, Metelus faces the possibility of a $250,000 fine and at least five years to a lifetime of supervised release, according to the DOJ.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Montana
Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Feb. 12, 2025
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Feb. 12, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Feb. 12 drawing
21-32-36-45-49, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Feb. 12 drawing
08-29-34-36-42, Lucky Ball: 11
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Feb. 12 drawing
06-16-23-27-30, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Feb. 12 drawing
06-07-11-30, Bonus: 05
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from Feb. 12 drawing
02-14-31-33-37
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 Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, 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.
Montana
Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life results for Feb. 11, 2025
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Feb. 11, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 11 drawing
07-30-39-41-70, Mega Ball: 13, Megaplier: 3
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Feb. 11 drawing
08-25-28-41-46, Lucky Ball: 05
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Feb. 11 drawing
17-22-26-31, Bonus: 06
Check Big Sky Bonus 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 Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, 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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