Good morning, Missoula.

Montana elk hunters will gather for the first ever RMEF Big Game Days, scheduled from July 16 through 19 in Missoula, where archery challenges + elk calling competitions and range demos will showcase local hunting traditions while conservation efforts and gear demos add to the experience.

An Idaho-based computer company aims to open a data center in the former Bonner mill as early as June if agreements fall into place; the initial phase will use about 1 megawatt.

The county will review noise standards on May 6 (local traffic and employment impacts remain minimal).

Harmon’s Histories revisits a 1914 account from The Daily Missoulian when a mysterious Wampus cat was spotted leaping along North Hills near Missoula+ local dispatchers and hunters watched it change course before it disappeared over the ridge.

The tale remains a quirky piece of our local lore.

On Monday morning, most stations in Missoula charged $3.59 per gallon, a 20-cent jump from last week and 80 cents higher than three weeks ago.

GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan said state prices rose by 22.3 cents per gallon in the past week as supply concerns and seasonal trends drove rates up.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has opened spring registration for hunter education classes, which cover firearm safety, landowner relations (and ethics and first aid).

Student packets are available at FWP offices and online for those signing up.

Montana State University will open a new nursing building in Missoula on Tuesday, Oct.

13 as one of four new facilities this fall. The building has large classrooms + simulation labs and is funded by a $101 million donation to boost nursing programs and support local health care workers.

The Montana DEQ is accepting public comment until April 6 on a drilling proposal from Great Plains Mining for the Columbia Gold Project near Lincoln.

The draft analysis shows minimal environmental impact for the exploratory phase & the project may gather key data on local mineral conditions.

The IRS holds about $1.2 billion in unclaimed refunds from 2022, and many Montanans may be owed around $686 each.

Residents have until April 15 to file their returns — missing the deadline means the money will go to the US Treasury.

350 Montana warns that ratepayers may face higher electricity bills if the Public Service Commission approves the NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Energy merger without a complete review, and the group urges more transparency to protect consumer costs.

Stan Kroenke, originally from Missouri, is now the largest private landowner in the U.S. and owns over 225,000 acres that include three Montana ranches (a 124,000-acre ranch near Augusta, one near Ennis, and a cattle ranch near Hysham) gained from his construction business tied to Walmart.

WEST 22ND - The To Be or Not To Be Tour

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Top Hat — General Admission tickets available — Experience an unforgettable performance from WEST 22ND on their exciting tour.

Grieves Concert - Out Cold Tour

10:00 – 11:30 p.m. — Top Hat — Tickets available through Ticketmaster — Enjoy an electrifying live performance by Grieves during his Out Cold Tour.

Montana Grizzlies Softball vs. Portland State Vikings

12 PM — University of Montana Softball Field — Ticket prices vary — Catch the thrilling matchup between the Grizzlies and Vikings at the home field.

Rubber Soul Reimagined

7:30-10 p.m. — Zootown Arts Community Center — $20 GA Tickets / $15 Student Tickets — Experience a staged performance of the Beatles' iconic album 'Rubber Soul' with music, dance, and film.

Jeff Tweedy Concert featuring Macie Stewart

7:30-9 p.m. — The Wilma — Prices vary — Experience an evening of captivating music with Jeff Tweedy and special guest Macie Stewart.

Stonefruit + Cascadel Live At Monk's

7-11:59 p.m. — Monk's Bar — No cover charge — Chill live set with Stonefruit and Cascadel bringing fresh vibes to the stage.

STiLGONE Live Concert

10:30 p.m. — Top Hat — Free entry — Enjoy a live performance from STiLGONE in downtown Missoula's vibrant atmosphere.

International Ballet Stars - The Sleeping Beauty

7-10 p.m. — University of Montana - Dennison Theatre — Tickets required — Experience the enchanting tale of Princess Aurora and her magical journey from curse to awakening.

2026 Western Montana Career Fair

2:30-6 p.m. — Hilton Garden Inn Missoula — Free entry — Explore job opportunities at Western Montana's largest career fair.