Billings recently opened its hidden past to the public through Explore Montana: Hidden Billings, a landmark self-guided history tour organized by Preserve Montana and the Western Heritage Center.

Twelve private and rarely accessed properties unlocked their doors — including the Babcock building, the Billings mausoleum, the L and L building, and the Yukon building.

The Western Heritage Center also opened its archive, collection space, and historic tower to the public for the first time in years.

Nearly ten months of planning and forty volunteers made it happen, drawing over 225 ticketed participants — with additional walk-up attendance on the day.

The tour ran alongside the Montana History Conference, attracting visitors from across the state.

The event coincides with a broader preservation push in Billings, including the Masonic Temple restoration and an award-winning renovation of Billings City Hall.

Preserve Montana called the debut a success and hinted at expanding the program statewide — suggesting Hidden Billings may soon become an annual tradition.

A pre-dawn shooting in Billings left a young man hospitalized after what began as a verbal dispute in the city's West End neighborhood.

Officers from the Billings Police Department were called to the 3300 block of Ravalli Place, where a verbal argument had already escalated into a physical altercation before units arrived.

A 21-year-old man was found suffering from a gunshot wound and transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Detectives quickly took over the scene, launching a formal investigation into how the dispute turned violent.

Authorities assured the public the incident was isolated, posing no broader threat — though the shooting adds to ongoing concern over Billings' violent crime rate, which already exceeds both state and national averages.

The typically quiet West End made the overnight violence especially alarming for residents.

No suspect information or motive has been released. The investigation remains active, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact authorities.

Billings, Montana is mourning the loss of Chase Lantz, a 13-year-old Will James Middle School student struck by a car while walking to school near Grand Avenue and Rehberg Lane.

The collision launched Chase nearly 200 feet down the road.

He was airlifted to a Denver hospital with a traumatic brain injury and fractures to his femur, pelvis, and spine — injuries his family ultimately could not wait to heal.

Chase was taken off life support, leaving an entire community heartbroken.

In the days that followed, Will James filled with red — Chase's favorite color — as students wore handmade bracelets and volunteers lined the school with red ribbons in his memory.

Now, grief is turning into action.

Families are demanding flashing crosswalk signals, better signage, and crossing guards along Grand Avenue.

The crash remains under active investigation, and no charges have been filed.

For Billings, the message is urgent — every child deserves a safe walk to school.