Silesia, MT Events and More

Laurel water shutoff starts at 9 a.m. for private line break

LAUREL, Mont. — A broken private waterline west of Laurel will force a water shutoff for several properties outside city limits beginning at 9:00 a.m. MST Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. In a Facebook post, Laurel Mayor Kris Vogele said the outage will affect properties along Old Highway 10 that get water through the privately owned line. The city has delivered notices to affected property owners. The city reported the line break has allowed water to leak onto neighboring properties. Officials said the water could damage a commercial parking lot, a nearby sidewalk and surrounding structures. Officials also identified possible safety concerns from unstable ground, sinkholes or collapsing pavement. The city said it cannot shut off water only at the damaged section because of how the private line is set up and where it runs. Officials said they ordered the full shutdown to limit further property damage and prevent more treated city water from leaking. The damaged waterline does not belong to the city or its maintained water system, officials said. A 1945 agreement placed responsibility for installing, maintaining, repairing and replacing the line with private parties. The city said it will work with affected property owners to restore service after

Laurel, MT · 9h

Q2 News

Billings designer opens studio after years of planning

A new Billings studio is turning home design ideas into something people can actually see and touch. After years of planning, the owner is finally opening the doors to a dream of her own

Billings, MT · 5d

Eastern Progress

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Billings champ Erica Doornek reflects on the end of her 'Jeopardy!' journey — for now

Billings resident Erica Doornek was widely grinning as her name was read before millions one more time Thursday, Nov. 5. “And our returning champion, a federal employee from Glasgow, Montana, Erica Doornek, whose four day cash winnings total $72,401!” long-time "Jeopardy!" announcer Johnny Gilbert proclaimed. The camera focused on...

montananewsroom.com

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Billings Counselor Sentenced to Prison for Medicaid Fraud Scheme

A Billings mental health counselor has been sentenced to three years in the Montana Women’s Prison and ordered to repay more than $603,000 after being convicted of submitting fraudulent Medicaid claims for counseling sessions that never occurred. Staci West, a licensed professional counselor, was sentenced Oct. 22 after an...

Billings, MT · 7d

NonStop Local Billings

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Billings budget panel rejects superintendent pay raise plan

Billings, Montana — A Billings school budget committee declined to recommend a contract proposal that would have sharply raised Superintendent Erwin Garcia's pay Thursday, Nov. 12. The proposal would have raised Garcia's base salary from about $217,000 to $270,000. With another $20,000 in annual compensation, his pay would have reached $290,000 before other benefits. The plan also included keeping Garcia in the job through June 2030. Critics questioned the size of the increase and raised concerns about fairness to other employees and the district's spending priorities. In the written proposal, the board said keeping Garcia would provide stable leadership and help the district stay competitive when hiring administrators. One school employee said the proposal sent a message to staff. "I don't say that I love my job anymore. I don't say it because decisions like this make me feel like this district doesn't care very much about me, and it's really hard to love a place like that," said Beth Verlanic, secretary at Burlington Elementary School. A retired school employee said the debate looked familiar. "This is what happens. Failed levee, angry staff. Repeat, repeat, repeat. If this were a class, we'd be figuring out a different way to run

Billings, MT · 18h

Montana Sports

All-class state volleyball: Day 1 roundup

A roundup of highlights and second-round action during the first day of the 2026 all-class state volleyball tournaments.

Bozeman, MT · 16h

96.7 KISS FM

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Where To Eat Thanksgiving Dinner In Billings Without Turning On The Stove

Skip the kitchen mess this year. Perkins, Cracker Barrel, Montana Sky, The Montana Club, Rib Chop House and TEN at the Northern are serving on Thanksgiving in Billings.

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NonStop Local Helena

Montana elects first woman Speaker of the House

HELENA, Mont. – Wednesday was a historic day at the State Capitol, as state lawmakers selected their next legislative leadership. Republican Rep. Katie Zolnikov of Billings is the first woman elected Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives in the state’s history, and the youngest woman in the nation to hold the title. She follows the steps of other Montana Republican women pioneers like Jeannette Rankin and Judy Martz. “My colleagues have placed an incredible amount of trust in me to lead them through the upcoming legislative session, and this is a responsibility that I do not take lightly,” said Zolnikov. “Montana has made history on the 250th birthday of our nation. The American Dream is still alive and well in Montana. Today has shown that you can still rise to the top by your own merits and work ethic. You don't have to be a part of the good old boys club, or come from money to rise to the ranks.” She was previously Speaker Pro Tem, and beat of previous Speaker of the House Brandon Ler, R-Savage, on Wednesday for the position. This is her fourth a final term in the House before she is termed out. Her

Montana · 2d

Q2 News

Proposed $270K superintendent salary put on hold after community pushback

The proposed 24.4% raise drew mixed reactions from parents, staff and community members, with concerns over employee compensation and the district's ability to retain its superintendent

Billings, MT · 11h

Q2 News

Yellowstone Ice Foundation to propose plan to revive Centennial Ice Arena

A proposal from the Yellowstone Ice Foundation could give Billings' former Centennial Ice Arena a new purpose, with plans to renovate and reopen the building. Details below:

Billings, MT · 1d

NonStop Local Billings

Billings Clinic, Logan Health begin new chapter as One Sky Health

BILLINGS, Mont. - For years, Billings Clinic and Logan Health have been familiar names across Montana. Now, the two health care organizations are moving forward under a new name: One Sky Health. The change comes three years after the organizations joined together in 2023. The new name is intended to give the regional health system one identity as it continues serving communities across Montana, northern Wyoming and the surrounding region. According to the health system, the name was inspired by the expansive sky shared by people across Montana and Wyoming. The organization says it represents the connection between communities that may be separated by long distances but share many of the same needs when it comes to health care. One Sky Health brings together more than 25 hospitals, clinics and regional partnerships, with more than 1,200 physicians and advanced practitioners covering more than 85 medical and surgical specialties. That network includes the region's first Level I Trauma Center, air ambulance services, specialized complex care and clinical training programs. CEO Clint Seger, MD, said the goal is to build a health system that understands the communities it serves while making it easier for patients to access care, whether that's close to

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Cat Country 102.9

Billings USPS Job Fairs Nov 13 And Nov 20 Aim To Fill Mail Handler Assistant Roles

The holiday shipping rush is coming, and Billings USPS is adding hands to keep the mail moving. Job fairs Nov 13 and Nov 20, 10 to 2, 841 S. 26th St.

Q2 News

Q2 Billings Area Weather: Unseasonably mild for now, but changes are coming

It hasn't looked or felt like November in Montana or Wyoming the last several days, with dry and unseasonably mild days. The mild weather will continue for now, but changes will be coming next week.

Billings, MT · 21h

Q2 News

Q2 AOW: Wyoming's Luke Talich takes Cody roots to win over top-ranked Miami

Luke Talich has gone from walk-on to difference-maker on college football's biggest stage, and Saturday against top-ranked Miami may have delivered his biggest moments yet.

NonStop Local Billings

Riverstone Health warns of potential measles exposure at Billings hospital

BILLINGS, Mont. - A person who was at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital on Sunday was confirmed to have tested positive for measles, according to RiverStone Health, potentially exposing others who were in the hospital lobby elevators. RiverStone Health said the individual is not a resident of Yellowstone County. "Out of an abundance caution, anyone who used the hospital's front main lobby elevators between 9:45 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, is asked to contact RiverStone Health Public Health at 406.247.3305," RiverStone Health said. Anyone who is immune to measles is not a risk, according to the health agency. "Those who were in this area and are not immune can receive the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) by 9:40 p.m. on November 11. PEP can help prevent measles or reduce the severity of symptoms," RiverStone Health said. Symptoms of measles can take up to 21 days to appear, according to RiverStone Health, and include runny nose, fever, rash, watery eyes and spots in the mouth. "People who are vaccinated can still become infected with the disease after exposure, although this is uncommon," RiverStone Health said. "When it occurs, symptoms are typically milder."