Good morning, Missoula.

A 14-year-old cowboy saved a drowning man near Greycliff on July 5 by using his 12-foot lariat (from his ranch training) to rope him to safety.

First responders arrived soon after, and local campers praised his quick action.

A fire burning half an acre near Tarkio (close to the Idaho border) is active today as firefighters monitor the situation.

Montana gas prices jumped after seven weeks of drops as the average rose by 20.8 cents to $4.13 per gallon on Monday, with Missoula stations reporting prices of $3.99 and $4.06.

Outside Sula, crews from Bitterroot Water Partnership, the Forest Service & local volunteers are building beaver dam analogs to restore Tolan Creek's wetland meadow near the headwaters of the East Fork.

The project has 43 dams so far and aims to spread water across the meadow to protect downstream areas.

Missoula County remains at high fire danger as uneven rain left some areas wet and others dry (fire managers say fine fuels dry quickly and urge residents to secure campfires and chains) while conditions may change fast.

The Missoula Parking Commission will continue managing the downtown lot as a parking facility while Averill Hospitality plans a 180-room hotel and 15,000 sqft of conference space starting next year—city crews will handle snow removal, striping, and overall maintenance until construction begins.

UMPD will deploy new vehicle mitigation barriers for today's Jelly Roll and Post Malone concert at Washington Grizzly Stadium to protect heavy pedestrian areas; the university collaborates with city police and Missoula Emergency Services for added security.

State health officials say Montanans on Medicaid must prove they are working or qualify for exemptions, requiring up to 5,000 individuals each month to submit documentation by October to avoid losing coverage.

Some residents, like Bethany Zulick, received letters with mixed deadlines (making it unclear when paperwork is due).

Missoula’s outdoor community is growing with surfers at Brennan’s Wave and skateboarders at MOBASH—hang gliders launch from Mount Sentinel and rafters navigate Alberton Gorge.

The city plans a second wave to meet rising surfing demand as locals embrace these adventures.

The property at 2413 S.

Higgins Avenue, known as Cambie, is for sale at $2.095 million, though the Cambie Coffee House & Taproom will continue to operate. The 2,828 sqft retail space sits on a 0.28-acre lot near the university, attracting students and locals.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts a warmer, less snowy winter for Montana's ski areas in the 2026-27 season due to a potential El Niño - a change that could pose challenges for local skiers.

Forecast details may evolve as winter approaches.

Out to Lunch

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Caras Park — Free entry — Enjoy live music by Big Sky Mudflaps, local food trucks, and family-friendly activities in downtown Missoula.

Golf Tournament

1-4 p.m. — University of Montana Golf Course — $200 per team — Participate in a 9 Hole Scramble with prizes and a silent auction to benefit local charities.

Downtown ToNight

5-9 p.m. — Caras Park — Free entry — Enjoy live music, food trucks, and children's activities during this vibrant summer market.