Good morning, Missoula.

Missoula now has two new thrift stores that offer budget shopping and community support.

Missoula Thrift opened this summer at Holiday Village (run by Flathead Industries) while Super Thrift, managed by Adult and Teen Challenge Pac West, opened on West Broadway and Palmer Street.

Travois Village residents formed Missoula’s first supermajority tenants union—to oppose recent rent hikes by Oak Wood Properties—and demanded rent be capped at $580 with future increases limited to 3%.

Federal workers were furloughed during the shutdown while Glacier National Park remained open with limited services as a study found rising elk numbers near riparian areas that urged drivers to slow down.

On Thursday, the Montana Innocence Project hosted a speaker at Missoula Public Library to mark International Wrongfully Convicted Day and to highlight challenges like limited legal counsel for inmates—especially those held in out-of-state private prisons.

The non-profit works statewide to help secure legal support for wrongfully convicted individuals.

Residents outside Sula have often dealt with wildfire risks and now federal, state and local groups are clearing dangerous trees along power lines near the East Fork to protect 280 homes.

The work is halfway done and will finish this fall—improving safety and power reliability for the community.

The Montana State Lottery announced that a Missoula resident won $150,000 in the Powerball game—raising local anticipation for upcoming drawings.

A new Montana law went into effect on Oct 1 that updates child passenger restraint rules—children under 2 must ride in rear-facing harness seats, those ages 2 to 4 can use either rear or forward-facing seats, and ages 4 to 8 must be in forward-facing or booster seats.

Today, the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula received a $1.5M grant — the funds will pay for 300 crypts, 820 columbarium niches, roadway repairs, landscaping, and irrigation improvements to serve more than 17,000 veterans and their families.

The grant also covers $274,000 for outer burial receptacles to support the project.

A Montana group working on a constitutional amendment to keep judicial races nonpartisan was cleared last week to begin gathering signatures ahead of 2026—its move supports efforts for nonpartisan courts.

A second campaign is also planning a similar signature drive to back the amendment.

Montana officials marked 20 years of the Clean Indoor Air Act today—adult smoking dropped from 19% to 12%, teen smoking from 20% to 7%, and lung cancer cases fell by 40%.

University of Montana unveiled a new Lady Griz logo today that replaces outdated fonts with a sleek modern design—fans are sharing their opinions online.

The Grizzlies volleyball team is on a 10-match winning streak as second-year player Delaney Russell leads pregame dance parties—practices that boost team spirit and joy.

Russell, whose family has ties to the NFL, said the celebrations help keep every match fun and focused.

Kalispell Glacier—the three-time defending champion—faces the newcomer Missoula Hellgate Knights in the AA flag football state title game as both teams aim to win the trophy.

2025 ZooTown Challenge

10 AM – 2 PM — Washington-Grizzly Stadium — Race entry required — Compete in six challenging obstacle course races for all ages in beautiful Missoula.

2025 Ignite Conference

8 AM – 4 PM — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Missoula - Edgewater — Check website for registration fees — A dynamic conference for PR and marketing professionals with networking, insights, and inspiration.

Scott H. Biram Live Performance

7-8 p.m. — Monk's Bar — Cover charge at the door — Experience the powerhouse sound of Scott H. Biram and his diverse musical talents.

Cyclops Performance at Badlander

5-8 p.m. — The Badlander — $10 cover — Experience the explosive sounds of Cyclops blending heavy music with experimental dubstep.

University of Montana Homecoming Parade

12-2 p.m. — Downtown Missoula Partnership — Free entry — Celebrate Homecoming with a vibrant parade featuring the Big Sky Horse Park float.

Montana Grizzlies vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers

1-2:30 p.m. — Washington-Grizzly Stadium — Tickets required — Catch the thrilling college baseball showdown between the Grizzlies and Pioneers.

She Talks Mini: Montana – Women in Construction

2-11 p.m. — Forestry Greenhouse, Missoula, MT — Free entry — Celebrate and inspire women in construction, empowering the next generation of female leaders in this traditionally male-dominated industry.

Niko Moon Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — The Wilma — Tickets available — Experience good vibes and live music from the optimistic artist Niko Moon.

Idaho State Bengals vs Montana Grizzlies Women's Volleyball

7-8:30 p.m. — Adams Center — Ticket prices vary — Watch an exciting women's volleyball match with the local favorites, the Grizzlies, in action.

MNHC Fall Banquet and Auction

Celebrating the spirit of nature! Gather with us for an evening of food, drinks, and fun to support the Montana Natural History Center's science and nature educational programming for our community, and support MNHC’s mission of connecting people of all ages to nature.