For independent artisans across Montana and Wyoming, a single weekend market in Billings can carry the weight of an entire year.

At a recent event hosted at the Billings Public Library, regional vendors filled the space with hand-painted canvases, handmade ornaments, engraved woodwork, floral arrangements, and one-of-a-kind pottery.

For many creators, holiday markets are not a side hustle — they are the financial backbone of their craft.

A veteran painter estimates these events account for more than half of her annual income, logging hours on the road each way just to connect with customers who truly value handmade work.

Even first-time vendors made the cross-border trip, including a Wyoming woodworking business attending its first Montana market — a sign that Billings is earning a real reputation as a regional destination for artisan commerce.

When shoppers choose a makers market over a big-box store, they are not simply buying a gift — they are keeping someone's dream alive.

Two former Yellowstone Country Club employees are facing serious embezzlement charges in Yellowstone County District Court.

Jeffrie Ward Hunter, the club's former general manager, and Michelle Whitney Polak, a longtime financial overseer, are both accused of using club-issued credit cards for personal expenses.

The case surfaced in January when a board member reported over forty thousand dollars missing from club accounts.

Polak, who managed tax filings and expense reimbursements, allegedly began diverting funds after feeling undervalued despite taking on greater financial responsibilities. Investigators determined she embezzled just over fifty-eight thousand dollars.

Hunter allegedly charged artwork, women's clothing, and expensive wines to the club's account. Roughly twenty-one thousand dollars in theft was attributed to him.

If convicted, both could face at least one year in prison and fines up to fifty thousand dollars.

Erica Doornek, a Billings federal employee with roots in Glasgow, Montana, turned heads nationwide with an impressive run on Jeopardy.

Her winning streak launched on Halloween, and she never looked back — dominating early rounds with the kind of focused precision that left competitors trailing.

A University of Montana journalism graduate, Doornek studied relentlessly before making the deliberate choice to stop cramming and simply trust her instincts.

That calculated calm proved to be her sharpest weapon.

She secured four consecutive wins and banked over $72,000 in total earnings — even surviving a Final Jeopardy stumble in game four thanks to a commanding lead.

The milestone put her in strong contention for a Tournament of Champions berth before a tough competitor finally ended her run in game five.

For Montana, Doornek's performance was a proud reminder that brilliance doesn't need a big-city zip code.

Something unexpected is taking root in Billings, Montana — and it involves swords.

Beyond the Chronicles, a homegrown fantasy event company, is transforming beloved books into lived experiences — and its latest Academy weekend at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center is its boldest move yet.

Now in its third iteration since launching in 2024, the event draws readers and dreamers into a full weekend of feasts, themed gatherings, and immersive fantasy programming.

The buzziest addition this year? Sword yoga — a flowing practice blending Shaolin kung fu, tai chi, and yoga, performed with a sword in hand.

Sponsored by Visit Billings, the class required zero prior experience — yet surprised participants with how much coordination and physical effort it actually demanded.

Instructors say it carries a unique resonance for women, delivering a sense of power rarely found in traditional fitness classes.

Between major events, a monthly book club keeps the community connected — proving that in Billings, fantasy isn't just something you read. It's something you live.

Halloween in Billings, Montana has become a serious spectacle — and entire neighborhoods are taking notice.

On Electric Avenue, one family has built a jaw-dropping display featuring roughly 180 props, including over 50 large-scale animatronics that move, groan, and glow after dark.

The effort spans weeks of setup and a five-figure investment built over years — and it earned first place in the Billings Halloween Decorating Contest.

In the Heights, a Caroline Street corridor has become one of the city's most anticipated seasonal destinations, anchored by a fully immersive haunted walkthrough stretching from the front yard into a converted garage haunt.

Nearby on Camel Place, more than 100 animatronic characters pack a front yard and scale the roofline — growing bolder every October.

Nationally, Americans are on pace to spend over $13 billion on Halloween, with decoration budgets now rivaling candy spending — and Billings is clearly keeping pace.

November 1st is sacred in Montana — the one morning each year when hopeful residents rise before dawn for a shot at $1 million.

This year, Montana Millionaire turned that tradition upside down.

Tickets went on sale at 5:30 a.m., but within thirty minutes, the lottery's platform buckled under a wave of simultaneous transactions flooding in from across the state.

In Billings, players who lined up as early as 3 a.m. watched hours slip away as terminals went dark — with some enduring a six-hour wait for just a handful of tickets sold.

By 11 a.m., Montana Millionaire 2024 was officially postponed.

Officials identified three system failures: transaction overload, instant-win prizes triggering far too frequently, and inaccurate data across the lottery's website and app.

The culprit was a newly adopted central gaming platform — stress-tested for the first time on Montana's biggest lottery day, and it didn't hold.

Roughly $500,000 in early instant-win prizes will be reintroduced into the remaining ticket pool. All tickets purchased before the shutdown remain valid.

A new sale date will be announced once the system is confirmed stable.

A Billings, Montana community is demanding answers after Yellowstone County prosecutors declined to pursue felony charges in a January stabbing at Billings Senior High School that sent both a teacher and student to the hospital.

Nearly nine months after the January 13 incident, prosecutors quietly referred the case to the city attorney's office for a potential misdemeanor review instead.

The decision sparked swift backlash.

Over 100 teachers, students, and parents rallied along Grand Avenue, organized by the Billings Education Association, which represents more than 1,100 district educators.

Superintendent Erwin Garcia publicly expressed frustration, announcing the district will now launch its own investigation and seek access to criminal justice records through the courts.

Prior to the stabbing, the school had conducted at least five behavioral threat assessments — though officials say those reviews had grown increasingly difficult to complete.

For educators who took to the streets, the message was clear: violence is not part of the job description.

Billings Horror Con is returning to MetraPark Expo Center on October 24th and 25th, 2026 — and it's coming back bigger than ever.

Organized by Dragon Egg Games, the event runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, building on a debut that packed the expo floor with 45 vendors and a crowd that exceeded all expectations.

This year's guest lineup is a major step up, headlined by C.J. Graham — the Billings-born actor famous for portraying Jason Voorhees — alongside fan favorites Lew Temple and Lisa Wilcox.

New this year, a Vampire Masquerade Ball takes over Saturday evening at 6 p.m., featuring a cash prize costume contest already generating regional buzz.

Cosplay competitions, horror art, collectibles, and local vendors round out the weekend. Tickets start at just five dollars, keeping the experience accessible for all ages — and cementing Billings Horror Con as a genuine destination event for Montana's horror community.

Wayne Berry isn't just coaching football this season — he's coaching through cancer.

The longtime defensive coordinator at Billings Central Catholic High School was diagnosed with rectal cancer earlier this year and has continued working through chemotherapy, refusing to step away from the sideline he's called home since 2003.

Managing the physical toll has required real adjustments — a golf cart at practice, flights instead of bus rides to away games — but Berry's presence has never wavered.

For him, coaching isn't a distraction from his illness — it's his anchor.

The Billings community has rallied behind him, launching the 4th and One fundraiser in his honor. During a recent away game in Sidney, even the host crowd passed a helmet to collect donations — a spontaneous act of humanity that Berry says has moved him more than anything else.

The lessons he's teaching his players this season go far beyond the playbook.

At Billings Logan International Airport, the beat of traditional drums and ancestral song announced the return of a warrior.

The Crow Nation honored Navy Quartermaster Jadyss Hugs, a 20-year-old who spent 321 days at sea aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln during one of the most demanding naval deployments in recent memory.

Hugs served as a quartermaster — guiding the carrier through contested Persian Gulf waters during Operation Epic Fury.

The ship logged a reported 264 consecutive days without a port call, earning its strike group the Presidential Unit Citation, the military's highest unit-level valor distinction.

The only Crow tribal member aboard the ship, her service carries deep symbolic weight for her Nation.

Though the deployment brought hardship — including reports of food shortages and mental health strain — her community's welcome was rooted in generations of Apsáalooke tradition, prayers, and song.

Montana's governor formally recognized her service, honoring the enduring legacy of Native American military sacrifice.

For the Crow Nation, Jadyss Hugs has earned her place among their warriors.

Nine months after a knife attack at Billings Senior High School, the Yellowstone County Attorney's Office has declined to pursue felony charges — leaving educators, parents, and students without closure.

The incident occurred on January 13, 2026, during a wrestling meet, when a student stabbed a teacher on the third floor.

Both were hospitalized, the school evacuated, and classes were canceled the following day.

The case has since been referred to the Billings city attorney's office to determine whether lesser charges may apply.

The local educators' union called the decision a troubling precedent for school safety, while Superintendent Erwin Garcia acknowledged the deep toll on staff and students.

The district has since tightened security, limiting entry points and upgrading radio communication systems.

The student involved has since graduated and left the district.

The district now plans its own internal investigation — but for a community still processing a school stabbing with no charges, accountability remains elusive.

Billings' Amend Recreation Campus just proved it can handle the big stage.

The $20 million, 57,000-square-foot facility recently hosted its most ambitious single day yet, drawing more than 4,000 athletes, families, and fans to the south side complex simultaneously.

State cross country championships, Special Olympics Montana basketball, youth hockey at Signal Peak Arena, and a Montana Grizzlies vs. Bobcats collegiate rivalry game all unfolded on the same day — alongside a community volunteer fair.

Visitors traveled from across Montana to attend events they'd waited years to see hosted at a facility of this caliber.

No comparable venue exists anywhere else in the state — a distinction that gives Billings a serious edge in the $100 billion national sports tourism industry.

Officials called the day a successful stress test, and made clear: the biggest days are still ahead.

For the 13th consecutive year, Garden Avenue Greenhouse in Billings, Montana opened its doors for its beloved annual holiday kickoff market — and the crowds made clear this tradition isn't slowing down anytime soon.

More than 100 vendor booths filled the weekend event, showcasing handcrafted artwork, seasonal décor, and one-of-a-kind gifts impossible to find at any chain store.

What sets this market apart is its undeniable sense of community.

Shoppers and vendors reconnected like old friends, with attendees genuinely invested in the stories behind the products — not just the price tags.

For local small business owners, a strong weekend here can be transformative heading into the heart of the holiday season.

Billings continues cementing its identity as a hub for independent makers, and this market fits that reputation perfectly — lines forming before opening each morning said everything.

Downtown Billings is celebrating a long-awaited comeback.

The Babcock Theatre has officially reopened after more than eighteen months of closure, following a spring 2025 ceiling collapse that threatened the future of the beloved nearly 120-year-old venue.

Rather than a quiet end, the crisis sparked a community-wide revival.

Art House Billings — the nonprofit behind the theater — acquired the building from the city for just one dollar and launched a sweeping $1.2 million restoration, funded through insurance, city support, and local fundraising.

The renovations were extensive, delivering a new ceiling, upgraded acoustics, widened balcony aisles, improved lighting, and restored 1935 hardwood floors.

Opening weekend sold out immediately, with generations of families filling the 700-seat hall together.

With a full fall programming slate already planned, organizers say this reopening is meant to be permanent — a reclamation, not just a renovation.

A midday explosion shook the West End of Billings, Montana, rattling nerves and stopping traffic along one of the city's busiest commercial strips.

A full-size pickup hauling an asphalt mixing trailer caught fire in a parking lot near the 2950 block of King Avenue West, quickly escalating into a full fireball.

Fire officials ruled the incident accidental, with a propane tank explosion identified as the likely trigger.

The blast blew open the front doors of at least one neighboring business and sent a concussive wave across the lot.

Nearby restaurant workers calmly evacuated customers — just seconds before the explosion hit.

The truck's crew had stepped away for lunch moments before the fire ignited, a detail that likely prevented serious injury.

No injuries were reported. Billings Fire confirmed the trailer and its attached propane supply as the origin and catalyst of the blast.

A stolen vehicle crashed into a family home on Fourth Street West in Billings on a quiet Thursday morning, leaving the structure severely damaged and two residents shaken.

Liann Reed and her young son were inside when the impact hit — describing the moment as explosive, with her living room unrecognizable within seconds.

Billings Police arrested two suspects, including 32-year-old Redleaf BraidedHair, who faces charges of motor vehicle theft, driving under the influence, and two counts of criminal endangerment.

The home was rendered structurally unsound, and with Montana's winter months closing in, Reed and her boyfriend face urgent pressure to find alternative housing.

The incident reflects a growing concern in Yellowstone County over vehicle theft and impaired driving near residential neighborhoods.

Reed hopes her ordeal sparks awareness — reckless choices behind the wheel don't just damage property, they upend lives.

A southwest Billings neighborhood was rattled after a man was charged with deliberate homicide in the fatal shooting of a woman inside a Carlton Avenue Southwest home.

A Billings, Montana first-grade teacher is earning well-deserved recognition for her outstanding work inside the classroom.

St. Vincent Regional Hospital is reshaping the Billings skyline with one of Montana's largest-ever healthcare investments.

More than 60 cyclists recently pedaled through Billings, Montana, for the fourth annual Ride for Their Lives — a 20-mile round-trip event connecting climate change to children's health.

In Billings, Montana, one elementary music teacher is being recognized for the kind of work that quietly shapes a child's entire school experience.

Something remarkable just happened in Billings, Montana — and the entire region is still buzzing.

Every stride taken at ZooMontana sends a message that reaches far beyond the walking path.

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.

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.

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 Billings Mustangs are Pioneer League champions for the first time in 12 years, clinching their 16th league title with a dramatic 14-11 victory over the Long Beach Coast on a rain-soaked Friday night.

Sunday in Billings felt heavier than most — but also full of something rare.

A Yellowstone County jury found Bryce Tayler Blackburn guilty of deliberate homicide in the fatal beating of 55-year-old Denis Osborne, closing one of Billings' most closely watched criminal cases in recent memory.

Billings took a serious hit Saturday as nearly three inches of rain overwhelmed the city, flooding basements, swamping streets, and turning parks into shallow lakes.