Should Missoula County Act on Miller Creek Horses?

Missoula County leaders say they're going to dive into the thorny issue of the feral horse herd that's becoming a "too frequent" sight in the Miller Creek area.

The herd has been around for years, but over this past year has become more and more accustomed to wandering right among the homes, and that's caused problems. We've heard reports of children being kicked, and the big animals have been involved in accidents in the middle of the area's growing traffic.

There are still jurisdictional questions, but this week, Missoula County is launching an online survey to ask people for their input on what should be done. There are no specific recommendations. The form is just for general comments.

      The county hopes to have some ideas in place in early 2026.

"She grabbed her teddy bear and ran." More on scary Bozeman carjacking

Gallatin County authorities say the man accused of carjacking a vehicle with a child inside had actually been released from prison just a couple of weeks ago.

Bozeman Police say the abduction happened Wednesday evening, while the 7-year-old girl's father was out of the car and ordering from a food truck. Prosecutors are saying 32-year-old William Jesse Edward Stevens drove the vehicle for nearly a mile as the father called the girl using FaceTime. When he realized the car had stopped at 4th and College, he told her to jump out, and she did, grabbing her teddy bear.

  🚔 The suspect crashed the car outside Bozeman, where he was arrested and charged with kidnapping and additional charges.

Rash of DUI cases in Hardin

Hardin Police say they're dealing with an astonishing string of drunk driver cases, apprehending at least 23 intoxicated drivers in the past 60 days. They say some of those drunk drivers had blood alcohol levels of twice the legal limit, and in a few stops, there were children inside the car.

     HPD plans to deploy a dedicated Aggressive Driving and DUI Enforcement Officer, using MDT funding, to deal with the problem.

Knudsen wins partial victory in judicial ballot case

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen sees a partial victory this week in the dispute over a pair of proposed ballot measures on court elections.

The Daily Montanan reports the State Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Knudsen had overstepped his authority by changing the wording of CI-132 by adding a definition of "non-partisan" to the proposal from Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts. But the court upheld Knudsen's finding on Ballot Initiative 6, saying it shouldn't have two provisions, including one requiring new courts in the future to only have nonpartisan judges.

READ MORE: Knudsen Speaks Out on Parental Rights and Schools

Beef prices big topic at the Missoula convention

Beef prices are one of the topics getting attention at the Montana Farm Bureau Convention in Missoula this week, especially amid national reports that retail beef prices will continue to climb in 2026.

But rancher Gene Curry of the Montana Board of Livestock says the wholesale prices have finally rebounded to be comparable with operational costs in the 70s.

"10 or 12 calves in 1975 or 4 would have bought an average pickup, Curry told us this week. "Today, it would take 30 average calves, steer calves, to buy a new pickup. Beef is not overpriced. It's finally up there where it's a little bit back to where it should be."

Missoula mayor condemns racist flyers

Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis says the city will continue to take a firm stance against racism,  after materials were left on the doorsteps of some residents earlier this week.

Davis didn't name the groups that spread the materials, saying she didn't want to give them more public attention. But in a statement posted online, she made it clear the messages don't reflect the city's attitudes and values.

"We reject ideologies that demean, threaten, or attempt to erase our neighbors, and we stand united with the community members who felt targeted, unsettled, or unsafe in response to this incident. Hate may arrive quietly on a doorstep, but our response, grounded in unity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our shared values, will always be louder and stronger." -Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis