Good morning, Missoula.

Nonprofit holiday craft fairs are set to boost the Christmas spirit in Missoula this weekend.

Orchard Homes Country Life Club Bazaar runs November 15 and 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with 24 local vendors while Hellgate Middle School PTA hosts a craft fair featuring over 100 vendors—offering unique gifts and community support.

Families in Broadwater County grieve over lives lost on Highway 287 near Silos Rd and say lower speed limits and road safety studies are needed to reduce fatal crashes.

The Montana Department of Transportation will review speed studies and road work, and a $15—20 million plan to widen a five-mile stretch is slated for 2029, which some hope will give drivers more time to react.

Lolo’s Lumberjack Saloon was bought by Colville couple Stephanie and Kyle Demmitt, who plan to preserve its historic charm by hosting more live events—such as weddings and mini festivals—on Graves Creek Road.

The University of Montana and Missoula County Public Schools are creating an inclusive classroom for preschoolers with and without disabilities—set at UM’s lab school it combines public and private education resources to boost early learning opportunities.

Both partners plan to expand the program with enhanced curriculum and professional development in the future.

Montana Forest Consultants are helping property owners up Highway 12 near Lolo restore their land after a wildfire by reforesting, managing vegetation, and clearing debris.

The group uses a $10,000 funding package from The Climate Trust and USDA to support recovery efforts — work that may take a century, if not longer, to complete.

Restoration work at Lost Horse Creek in the Bitterroot Mountains faced delays after federal cuts cancelled $900,000 in funding and postponed contractor bids.

Conservation groups now plan to shift to smaller projects (using alternative funding) as layoffs and reduced Forest Service support add hurdles to more improvements.

Roughly halfway through the general rifle season in west-central Montana, hunters have bagged more deer than usual while the elk harvest has declined + state data shows the change in game populations.

On November 11th, residents across Western Montana witnessed a strong display of the Northern Lights—vibrant colors lit up the night sky.

Clear conditions helped many enjoy the rare natural spectacle.

City Engineer Kevin J.

Slovarp said today the city and the Montana Department of Transportation are studying the busy Highway 93 intersection with Miller Creek after safety and congestion concerns were raised—no major improvements are planned soon due to the risks of adding signals or extra lanes that could worsen delays.

A state study found that federal housing vouchers were not keeping up with rising rents, so on July 1 an extra $20 million was added to the program.

Housing authorities in Helena and Missoula have used the increased funds to help more families secure one-bedroom rentals — though larger units remain hard to find.

UM photographer Tommy Martino was honored by Getty Images for his photo—showing the Grizzlies jogging out of the tunnel at Washington-Grizzly Stadium—that was chosen among the top sports images; his recognition adds to the national attention on the team after recent highlights.

The Red Cross Blood Battle, part of Montana’s 'Brawl of the Wild' rivalry, began on November 12 and runs through November 14 at the University of Montana campus to help save lives.

UM fans donated blood on November 12, can donate today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and have another drive scheduled for November 14 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.—MSU won the event the past three years, and Griz fans aim to beat them this year.

Indigenous Food Sovereignty with Mariah Gladstone of Indigikitchen

Join us for an evening with Mariah Gladstone, founder of Indigikitchen and celebrated advocate for Indigenous food sovereignty, as she shares stories and recipes from her new book, Mountains to Oceans: Kids’ Recipes from Native Land. Through this engaging talk and book signing, Gladstone explores the deep connections between culture, land, and food, highlighting the commitment to reclaiming Indigenous culinary traditions.

Lost & Found: Plays on Tap

3-5 p.m. — Missoula Art Museum — Pick-What-You-Pay — Experience four new plays exploring themes of loss and discovery within an art museum setting.

Nurse Blake: Comedy and Advocacy

8-9:30 p.m. — University of Montana - Dennison Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the humor and heartfelt storytelling of Nurse Blake, a beloved figure in the healthcare community.

Stayin Alive - Bee Gees Tribute

7:30-9 p.m. — University of Montana - Dennison Theatre — Cost not specified — Relive the magic of the Bee Gees with their iconic hits in this captivating tribute show.

Hacks and Hops Montana

2:30-6:30 p.m. — Tamarack Brewing Co — Free entry — Network with security professionals while enjoying craft brews in Missoula.

Montana Grizzlies vs. Montana State Bobcats

12:00 – 1:30 PM — Washington-Grizzly Stadium — Check local listings for ticket prices — Experience the excitement of college football rivalry on the field.

Memphis May Fire - Tour 2025

7-8:30 p.m. — The Wilma — General admission tickets available — Rock out with Memphis May Fire and support acts Rain City Drive, Nevertel, and If Not For Me.

Run for Beer - Ugly Sweater Run

5k Fun Run — Missoula Montana Airport — Entry fee applies — Enjoy a festive run wearing your ugliest sweater and celebrate with local craft beers and live music.

Missoula’s Cultural Heritage and the Clark Fork River – An Ever-Changing Landscape

In this presentation, guests will not only gain natural historical knowledge of the Clark Fork River, but also the innate partnership between cultural and natural heritage landscapes. This presentation will primarily examine the heritage of Missoula’s restricted communities between 1860 and 1940.

4 tracts of land (totaling 45.79 acres), 4-bedroom home, 1,200 sq ft shop & year-round creek!

Offered as a package sale at $899,900! All four tracts of land are legally subdivided and are adjacent to CSKT Tribal Lands with subsequent access to USFS lands. This is a very special property with an incredible potential.