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Today’s edition · Fri., Nov. 6

Griz host Portland State Saturday; ACA enrollment is open

Plus, Montana individual-market insurance rates are up about 23% on average before subsidies.

The Good Day Missoula team2 stories18 sources5 min read

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Barefoot Dreams cardigan | $125 | They’ll never want to take off this top-rated cardigan made with the brand's famously soft yarn.

Gifts for retirees

Oh My Mahjong Amethyst mat | $90 | The perfect gift for the mahjong lover in your life, this unique mat “is a whimsical ode to twilight skies and shimmering gemstones.”

Garden kneeler and stool | $47.99 | Gardening’s more fun without the knee and back pain.

Mystery jigsaw puzzle | $45 | The perfect activity to take on with grandkids, this puzzle includes clues, surprises, and twists and is 100% artist drawn.

Gifts for a cozy winter

Tea bag organizer | $29.64 | This eight-box bamboo compartment with a clear lid will show off their coziest tea bag collection — bonus points if you fill it for them.

Carhartt beanie | $19.99 | Choose their favorite color of this best-selling hat that’s sure to become their winter go-to.

Softies waffle lounge set | $170 | Featured in “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” this set features the brand’s famously soft marshmallow waffle fabric.

Candle warmer lamp | $22.99 | This stylish warmer doubles as a chic accent piece.

Tabletop s’mores kit | $29.99 | Bring this classic campfire treat indoors with this kit complete with an electric flameless heater + everything you need to make the perfect s’more.

Gifts for crafters, golfers, and more

Griz and CatsTop story

The Griz host Portland State on Saturday after beating Eastern Washington 42-⁠33

The Griz beat Eastern Washington and the Cats beat Cal Poly

61-7
Montana State's win over Cal Poly
98 yards
Dahlke's opening kickoff return for a touchdown
48-7
Montana State's halftime lead over Cal Poly
42-33
Montana's win over Eastern Washington

Sources: NBC Montana, Bozeman Daily Chronicle

If you're headed to this weekend, the Griz arrive on a high note. They took down Eastern Washington 42-33, and Portland State visits Saturday.

Montana State has been busy, too. The No. 3 Bobcats beat Cal Poly 61-7 on Halloween, and Carter Dahlke started it by returning the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. It matched the 54-0 season opener at Utah Tech as their biggest win this year. The Big Sky season has entered its home stretch.

  • Kickoff: Sat., Nov. 7, 1 p.m., Washington-Grizzly Stadium
  • Justin Lamson: 15 of 19 for 177 yards, five TDs accounted for
  • Dahlke: six catches for 103 yards and a TD
  • Cats' next game: at No. 23 Idaho State

Montana State is 8-⁠1 to Cal Poly's 4-⁠6 overall

8Overall wins4
1Overall losses6
5Big Sky wins3
1Big Sky losses4

Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Asked

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Asked

How will you follow the Griz against Portland State on Saturday?

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Health

ACA open enrollment is underway in Montana, and individual-market rates are rising about 23% before subsidies

If you buy your own health insurance, open enrollment is underway on HealthCare.gov. Montana regulators say individual-market rates for 2027 are rising about 23% on average before subsidies, and increases run from about 6% to 53% depending on the plan.

Red Lodge business owner Stephanie Shanks says her premium is going from $1,236.70 a month to $1,765.99.

Stephanie Shanks's monthly premium is jumping by more than $500

Source: Q2 News (KTVQ)

View as table
Value
Last year$1,237
2027$1,766
  • Red flag: very low premiums paired with promises of full coverage
  • Red flag: salespeople offering limited partner or “ERISA” plans directly
  • Red flag: a salesperson saying no insurance license is needed
  • Red flag: pressure to pay a large amount quickly

Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, 2027

  1. Nov. 1Open enrollment for 2027 coverage begins on HealthCare.gov.
  2. Dec. 15Deadline to enroll or change plans for coverage starting Jan. 1.
  3. Jan. 2027Open enrollment window closes.
  4. Feb. 2027Coverage can begin for Dec. 16 to Jan. 15 enrollees after the first premium.

Sources: NBC Montana, Q2 News (KTVQ)

Be wary of plans sold as “self-funded” or “limited partner” coverage. State Auditor James Brown warns consumers and says, “If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.” We suggest asking any agent for their full name and National Producer Number before you pay, then checking the license at csimt.gov.

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News Notes

Streets

Missoula's , which guides how city streets are built for different users, advanced to a final City Council vote after changes shifted its focus to accessibility and walkability, officials said Wednesday. The Missoulian

Playground

City Council approved a contract for a new Northside playground. Ward 6 councilor Kristen Jordan cast the sole vote against it, arguing the playground should have had more ADA features. The Missoulian

Kratom

Missoula County began enforcing restrictions Nov. 2 that bar retail food establishments, such as convenience stores, grocery stores and casinos, from selling food or drinks containing . It's not a countywide ban: smoke shops and dispensaries may keep selling it. Shannon Therriault, Missoula Public Health's environmental health director, called it a “weird zone” with no clear regulation. Montana KaiminKECI

High schools

Missoula Big Sky beat Helena in four sets Wednesday to clinch a Class AA state volleyball berth. It joins Missoula Sentinel (14-5) and Missoula Hellgate (12-7), who had already clinched in the Western AA. In football, Missoula Big Sky travels to Great Falls CMR in the quarterfinals. MontanaSports.comThe Missoulian

Blood drive

The annual Red Cross Blood Battle kicked off this week and runs through next week, ahead of the Nov. 21 football game. UM holds the title after donating 93 units last year to MSU's 80. NBC Montana

UM out-donated MSU 93 units to 80 last year

Source: NBC Montana

View as table
Value
UM93 units
MSU80 units

Home

Two cute home finds: This elegant, patterned entry rug that’s under $19 and comes in three charming patterns to match your decor, and this double picture frame for $9.99 that’s perfect for displaying family memories on your mantle.

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Around Montana

Lottery

The Montana Lottery is apologizing to players and retailers after problems disrupted the launch of this year's Montana Millionaire game on Sunday, Nov. 1. After thousands of people stood in line, the game was shut down because of technical issues, including tickets printing extremely slowly. Newstalk KGVO

Giving

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation announced Thursday that 97 basic needs organizations across Montana will receive a combined $382,000 through its Holiday Giving Program. Montana Standard

$382,000going to 97 basic needs organizations across Montana

That's the combined total from the Washington Foundation's Holiday Giving Program.

Source: Montana Standard

Nursing

RegisteredNursing.org's 2027 rankings put Montana Technological University's Sherry Lesar School of Nursing No. 1 statewide. It has a 98.6% weighted average pass rate over the past three years. NBC Montana

Asked

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Asked

What's on your Missoula weekend list?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Writers live twice.

— Natalie Goldberg

Things to Do

Things to Do

Missoula, MT

Friday, Nov. 6

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Around the Block

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Recommendations

Congratulations to Sam Forstag.

“I know you will do an amazing job.”

— A neighbor, Westside

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The Wrap

Saturday's Mount Jumbo Elk Ramble 15K from Run Wild Missoula is the last chance to enjoy the mountain's trails before winter. Mount Jumbo closes every year on Dec. 1 to protect the resident elk herd that spends the cold months there. Rest well, elk.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Larry Pirnie remembered, and a Montanan keeps winning on Jeopardy!

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition18 links · 12 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. NBC Montananbcmontana.com
  3. Bozeman Daily Chroniclebozemandailychronicle.com
  4. MontanaSports.commontanasports.com
  5. Washington-Grizzly Stadium - Canyon Clubgogriz.com
  6. NBC Montananbcmontana.com
  7. Q2 News (KTVQ)ktvq.com
  8. The Missoulianmissoulian.com
  9. The Missoulianmissoulian.com
  10. Montana Kaiminmontanakaimin.com
  11. KECInbcmontana.com
  12. MontanaSports.commontanasports.com
  13. The Missoulianmissoulian.com
  14. NBC Montananbcmontana.com
  15. Newstalk KGVOnewstalkkgvo.com
  16. Montana Standardmtstandard.com
  17. NBC Montananbcmontana.com
  18. Missoula events calendargooddaymissoula.com

Past issues

  1. Thurs., Nov. 5Larry Pirnie remembered, and a Montanan keeps winning on Jeopardy!
  2. Wed., Nov. 4Mission Valley farmland project wins $8.2 million
  3. Tues., Nov. 3Ballots are due by 8 p.m. today in Missoula County
  4. Mon., Nov. 2Missoula's library weighs cuts, plus fog this morning
  5. Sun., Nov. 1Sentinel soccer sweeps state, Berkoff breaks a world record, Griz win
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Good Day Missoulato me · Fri., Nov. 66:00 a.m.

Griz host Portland State Saturday; ACA enrollment is open

Plus, Montana individual-market insurance rates are up about 23% on average before subsidies.

The TLDR

  1. Griz host Portland State at 1 p.m. Saturday
  2. ACA open enrollment runs through Jan. 15, 2027
  3. Complete Streets Policy heads to a final council vote
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Good Day Missoula’s other editions

All the news
RememberingWestern artist Larry Pirnie, whose work is a familiar sight in Missoula, has diedIf you've ever eaten at the Depot or watched kids pile onto the carousel, you've seen Larry Pirnie's work. The Western artist died Monday, and his colorful paintings of cowboys, horses and the Montana landscape became a familiar sight across the state, including here in Missoula.Thursday’s editionRead Only in MontanaErica Doornek, a UM grad representing Glasgow, wins her fourth straight Jeopardy! gameIf you caught Jeopardy! Wednesday, you saw a Montanan win again. Erica Doornek, a University of Montana journalism graduate who now works for the Bureau of Reclamation and calls Billings home, won her fourth straight game, even after missing Final Jeopardy.Thursday’s editionRead ConservationA Mission Valley land trust and the Salish and Kootenai Tribes won $8.2 million to protect farmlandA Mission Valley farmland project just landed $8.2 million. The Mission Valley Conservation Partnership, led by Flathead Land Trust, will use the money to permanently protect working farmland through conservation easements. The Missoulian reports the land trust teamed up with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to win the grant and head off the sprawling development that has come to define the mountain valleys to the north and south.Wednesday’s editionRead

Around Missoula

From KPAX News, Montana State News Network and 2 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. KPAX News10 hours ago

    Local Elks Lodge teams up with MCPS to keep students warm this winter

    With help from the local Elks Lodge, hundreds of clothing items will keep students warm this winter as a Missoula tradition continues for schools across the county.

  2. Montana State News Network11 hours ago

    Building Mystery/Parking Lot Overhaul at Missoula Holiday Village

    Man, Holiday Village. When I was a kid that was like Missoula's equivalent to the Mall of America!

  3. MontanaSports.com11 hours ago

    Past meets present: Montana captain Peyton Wing meets former team as decorated career winds down

    As he prepares to meet his former team, it's past meets present for Peyton Wing who has turned into a star at Montana.

  4. NBC Montana12 hours ago

    Run Wild Missoula celebrates 12th annual Mount Jumbo Elk Ramble 15K race

    This Saturday, Run Wild Missoula will put on its 12th annual Mount Jumbo Elk Ramble race. The race offers participants a final opportunity to enjoy the mountain

  5. NBC Montana13 hours ago

    Annual Cat-Griz American Red Cross Blood Battle kicks off

    Anticipation is building for the annual Cat-Griz football showdown on Nov. 21, and before the schools face off on the gridiron, the schools compete this week an

  6. KPAX News13 hours ago

    Montana Millionaire game to resume after temporary shutdown

    The Montana Millionaire will restart play at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, after the game was temporarily paused due to technical problems with ticket sales.