BILLINGS – Six men from Montana and Washington have pled guilty in Musselshell County Justice Court to unlawfully killing bull elk and mule deer bucks near Roundup. They have been sentenced to a combined total of $22,890 in fines, and license revocations totaling 28 years.

The investigation began with information provided to Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) wardens by a confidential informant. After an extensive investigation, wardens found that the group of both residents and nonresidents killed several large bull elk in Hunting District 590 without the required elk permit and also killed several large mule deer without hunting licenses. The violations occurred between 2020 and 2024.

During the investigation, Montana wardens worked with wardens in Washington State who seized several mounts of unlawfully killed elk and deer. Montana wardens also seized multiple elk and deer mounts in Montana. In total, 11 mounts were seized as evidence in the investigation, and a total of 34 charges and 13 warnings were issued by FWP wardens.

“We would like to thank the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, the Billings Police Department, and the Musselshell County Attorney’s Office for their assistance,” said FWP game warden Jake Barzen, who was the lead investigator in the case. “But most of all, we thank the public, since like in so many other cases, it was their tips that initially sparked our investigation.”

The sentences are:

• Ben Valadez - Tri Cities, WA, $8,050 in fines and restitution, and an 8-year license revocation
• Devon Rea – Roundup, MT, $4,275 in fines and restitution, and a 4-year license revocation
• Kyle Steiling – Tri Cities, WA, $3,640 in fines and restitution, and a 4-year license revocation
• Mitch Miller – Roundup, MT, $3,050 in fines and restitution, and an 8-year license revocation
• Noa Valadez – Tri Cities, WA, $2,070 in fines and restitution, and a 2-year license revocation
• Johnny Lopez – Tri Cities, WA, $1,805 in fines and restitution, and a 2-year license revocation

Anyone with information about wildlife crimes is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov. Those who report information may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

For years, polished marketing videos were something only big brands could afford. Professional cameras, production crews, and editing software carried price tags that made them unaffordable for most small businesses. That gap is closing fast. Today, even a free text-to-video converter can turn a simple script into a professional-quality video ready to share on social platforms, websites, or email campaigns.

For small business owners juggling a dozen roles each day, this shift is more than a convenience. It’s a new way to compete. Video has become the language of modern marketing, and the tools to create it are finally accessible to everyone.

The Rise of Video in Marketing

Video has become the centerpiece of how people consume information online. Social platforms prioritize it in their algorithms, audiences engage with it longer than with text or images, and businesses that embrace it often see stronger results in brand awareness and sales. From short TikTok clips to polished explainer videos on websites, moving images convey a sense of immediacy and personality that static content can’t match.

What once demanded a full production team is now within reach of anyone with a laptop. Accessibility has leveled the playing field, allowing small businesses to compete with larger players. For customers, the format feels natural. For businesses, it’s become one of the most effective ways to tell a story.

Breaking Down the Old Barriers

Not long ago, creating video content required more than creativity. Businesses needed cameras, microphones, editing software, and the technical skills to use them. For many, those requirements made video an expensive gamble. The result was clear: larger brands dominated, while local shops and independent entrepreneurs often relied on text posts or static images.

That divide is shrinking. AI-powered tools now allow a single person to generate a polished video in minutes. Research from Wyzowl reports that 91 percent of businesses use video as a marketing tool, and 89 percent see a strong return on investment. Consumers are equally clear about their preferences, with nearly nine out of ten saying a video has convinced them to make a purchase.

For small businesses, those numbers send a message. Audiences expect video, and the technology to deliver it no longer comes with a steep price tag or technical hurdles.

How Small Businesses Are Putting These Tools to Work

For local entrepreneurs, the power of accessible video creation lies in flexibility. A café can share a quick daily special on social media, made in minutes from a short script. A real estate agent can walk potential buyers through a new listing without hiring a videographer. Nonprofits can roll out training clips or awareness campaigns just as easily.

These tools also help businesses keep pace with the speed of digital marketing. When trends shift overnight on TikTok or Instagram, the ability to produce timely video without a production team can mean the difference between getting noticed or being overlooked. Even turning a product description, blog post, or customer testimonial into a short video can extend the reach of content a business already has.

The result is more than efficiency. It’s a stronger connection with audiences who expect video to be part of how they learn, shop, and engage with brands.

A New Chapter for DIY Marketing

The hurdles that once kept video marketing out of reach have fallen. What required a budget and staff a decade ago can now be handled with simple tools and a bit of creativity. For small businesses, this shift changes the game. Professional-quality videos are no longer the exclusive domain of big brands.

Success in this new environment still depends on fundamentals: staying visible, building trust, and adapting to change. Building a business that lasts in your local community makes the same point—durability comes from consistency and a willingness to evolve. Video is now one of the most effective ways to put those principles into action.

For small businesses ready to compete in a digital-first world, embracing DIY video is less a choice than an opportunity. It’s a chance to stand out, share a story, and meet customers in the format they prefer most.

Since a roof replacement is a significant investment, certain factors must be considered carefully. If you need to replace your roof, this guide details four key factors to ponder and provides tips for ensuring the success of your roof replacement. 

Budget and Cost

The first thing you must consider when replacing your roof is your budget. Take time to understand the factors that affect cost, as different materials have varying costs, lifespans, and aesthetic qualities. Learn the cost difference between a metal and shingle roof, as these options have a significant difference in upfront price versus long-term value. 

Cheaper materials like asphalt shingles have lower upfront costs, but may need more frequent repair or replacement. More expensive options, such as metal or tile, have higher initial costs, but are more durable and can reduce energy bills over time. 

To create a reasonable budget, gather multiple estimates from at least three licensed, insured, and reputable contractors. This can help you get a clearer picture of the market rates and ensure you're getting a fair price. While it’s tempting to choose the lowest bid, remember that high-quality materials and craftsmanship are a better long-term investment. 

Materials

Your roofing materials can significantly affect your home’s aesthetics, performance, and environmental impact. Choose a material that can withstand your local weather conditions. For instance, metal roofs are durable and fire-resistant, making them suitable for areas prone to severe weather or wildfires. 

Make sure to consider the weight of your chosen material and whether your home’s structure can support it. While metal is lightweight, materials like slate or clay are heavy and may require extra structural support. 

Since your roof is a large part of your home’s exterior, select a material, color, and style that complements your home’s architecture and can boost your property’s resale value. Also, opt for more energy-efficient materials, as some can absorb less heat from the sun, which can help lower your home’s cooling costs. 

Installation and Process

The success of your roofing project depends heavily on the contractor you hire. Research thoroughly and contact several local roofing companies to get detailed quotes. Ask for references and check online reviews. Ensure that your preferred contractor is properly licensed and insured. 

Consider asking for proof directly from their insurance agent to confirm their coverage. Inquire about both the manufacturer’s warranty on the materials and the contractor’s warranty on their workmanship. Before signing a contract, take time to review it carefully. The contract should clearly outline the materials to be used, the full scope of work, the timeline, and the payment schedule. 

Personal Circumstances

Your personal situation is another factor to consider before getting a roof replacement. Evaluate your financial readiness, long-term plans for your home, and how the construction will affect your daily living. 

A new roof can make it more appealing to potential buyers if you have immediate plans to sell your home. If you plan to stay in your home long-term, investing in higher-quality, longer-lasting materials may be a wiser choice. Also, remember to check if your homeowner’s association has any restrictions on the types of roofing materials or colors you can use. 

Endnote

By keeping these factors in mind and with careful preparation, you can efficiently replace your roof without the unnecessary stress and hassle.

While Montana is a beautiful state, it experiences intense weather, including heavy snowfalls, frigid temperatures, and powerful winter storms. In this article, we will explore key steps that can help you improve your home’s comfort all year-round and make it as cozy as possible. 

Protect Your Home’s Interior 

To maintain comfort in your Montana home, the first line of defense is proper sealing and insulation. Use weatherstripping and caulk to seal drafts around windows and doors. You can also cover your window frames with plastic film to create an extra layer of insulation. Make sure to check and upgrade the insulation in your attic, walls, and floors. Blown-in, spray foam, and batt insulation are effective for keeping heat in during winter and out during summer. 

Use window treatments strategically and utilizing heavy, thermal-lined curtains or blinds to block intense sun and insulate windows. Open your curtains and blinds on sun-facing windows during the day to allow natural heat to warm your home and close them at night to trap the heat inside. 

Fortify Your Indoors 

Efficient and reliable heating is crucial for your Montana home. Using a dual-fuel system can be highly beneficial, especially in frigid conditions. This system combines the energy-efficient operation of an electric heat pump with the powerful, reliable heat of a gas furnace, ensuring consistent and affordable warmth all year-round. To learn more about the benefits of this hybrid fuel system, find a trusted professional with heat pump and gas furnace expertise in your area.

During colder months, set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise, on a low speed, as this helps circulate heat. If you use a wood stove or fireplace, make sure to have it professionally cleaned, as not doing so can turn it into a fire hazard. 

Prepare for Possible Power Outages

Severe winter storms in Montana can lead to dangerous power outages. Hence, advance preparation is essential for safety. Make sure to assemble an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, and non-perishable food. Keep a supply of warm blankets and layered clothing to ensure your comfort. 

Consolidate the heat by closing doors to unused rooms, as this can help concentrate heat to a smaller area. Remember to unplug your electronics and appliances to prevent damage from power surges once electricity is restored. Keep the doors of your refrigerator and freezer as closed as possible to prevent food wastage. 

Prepare for Summer

While known for its winters, Montana also experiences hot, dry summers. On the hottest days, refrain from using the oven and clothes dryer, as they tend to produce extra heat and humidity inside your home. Run your ceiling fans counter-clockwise to create a cooling down-draft or breeze.

Leverage natural ventilation by opening windows on cooler evenings or overnight to let cooler air in. Be sure to close windows and blinds in the morning before the day gets hot. Remember to close the curtains, blinds, and shades on windows that receive direct sun to help minimize heat gain. 

Endnote

Boosting your Montana home’s comfort requires a multi-faceted approach. By focusing on proper sealing, efficient heating systems, and emergency preparedness, you can ensure that your precious home remains warm and inviting throughout the year.

HELENA – Due to cooler temperatures, hoot-owl fishing restrictions are lifted on the Lower Madison River as well as angling closures on Sections 3 and 4 of the Big Hole River, from Dickie Bridge to Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site (aka Notch Bottom), effective immediately. The existing closures upstream of Dickie Bridge and downstream of Tony Schoonen remain in place. 

The restriction and closures had been in effect for the rivers due to warm water temperatures on both rivers and low flows on the Big Hole River. Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day. They are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when low flows and high water temperatures combine with other stressors, including catch-and-release fishing.   

Anglers can reduce stress on fish at all times of the year by getting fish to the net or in hand quickly, keeping them in the water, and reviving them prior to releasing them back into the river.   

Starting Oct. 1, annual fishing closures begin for sections of the Big Hole, Ruby and Beaverhead rivers to protect trout during spawning seasons. 

To see where these spawning-related fishing closures apply, check the current fishing regulations here.  

To view drought-related fishing restrictions and closures in other areas, click here. 

Montana State University students change classes during the first day of the fall semester Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Bozeman, Mont. MSU photo by Marcus "Doc" Cravens

BOZEMAN — Caleb Cowen said he chose Montana State University for many reasons – one of them being that it simply “felt like home.”

• MSU enrolled 700 students who are receiving veteran benefits, a 21% increase.
• MSU welcomed 848 American Indian/Alaska Native students this fall, and the number of African-American students set a record at 344, an increase of 7% over last year. The university also set records for the number of students who are Hispanic (1,124) and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (153).
• The university enrolled 160 new, incoming students who received the Montana University System Honor Scholarship, accounting for 65% of all the award’s recipients in the state.
• MSU welcomed 421 dual-enrollment students, an increase over last fall. Dual-enrollment allows Montana high school students to earn college credit and get a jump start on their degrees. Dual-enrollment credits at MSU are housed in Gallatin College MSU.
• MSU’s largest college is Letters and Science with 3,371 students, followed by the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering with 3,352; the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship with 2,426; Agriculture with 2,004; Education, Health and Human Development with 1,714; the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing with 1,285; and Arts and Architecture with 1,177.

BIG SKY, Mont. – September 16, 2025 — The first snow of the season has arrived at Big Sky's Lone Peak! September 15 brought the season's inaugural snowfall, blanketing the 11,166-foot summit beneath cloud cover.

Construction crews working on Kircliff, Big Sky Resort's new scenic viewing platform, documented the early winter weather as work continues on the project. 

Big Sky Resort opens for the 2025-2026 winter season on November 26, in just over 70 days. 

Please feel free to share photos on web, broadcast, and social media platforms with credit to Big Sky Resort. 

As you are hunting, hiking and exploring Montana this fall, be sure to take a break from scanning the horizon and look down at the ground once in a while. Not only will this help you avoid stepping on a cactus or a rattlesnake, but you might also see one of eastern Montana’s rarely seen critters…the greater short-horned lizard, commonly known as a “horny toad.” If you do, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks would like to know about it.