Weekend Invasion Gets Expected Montana Response

Montanans showed mixed reactions over the weekend to news that the U.S. had taken military action in Venezuela to capture President Maduro on drug charges, with most of the comments falling along the typical partisan lines.

To no one's surprise, all of Montana's Congressional delegation was showing support on social media for the action by the Trump Administration. Senator Daines "commending" the President, saying "the world is safer thanks to peace through strength. Senator Sheehy says Maduro was "an illegitimate dictator and narco-terror kingpin with American blood on his hands, also "re-tweeting" a number of right-wing memes.

Representative Troy Downing called Venezuela a "fake narco state" and Maduro a "complicit narco operator", saying both "posed a direct threat to the health and safety of the American people." And Representative Ryan Zinke saying the President was "well within" his powers to take action against a "clear and present danger to America and her allies."

While some Montana citizens were supportive on social media, others expressed concerns about the legitimacy and cost of the operation. In Missoula, demonstrators were already out Saturday afternoon displaying banners condemning a "war for oil."

Missoula Police search for missing man

Missoula Police issued a Missing Endangered Persons Advisory for a 30-year old man who lost contact with his caretakers while he was with a group at the Southgate Mall.

Police say Jason Richards was last seen just before 1 pm Saturday. Police say Richards suffers from mental disabilities and is unable to take care of himself.

     We're expecting to hear an update on the case today.

Knudsen: St. Regis bust shows extent of Montana drug trade

Attorney General Austin Knudsen says last month's major drug bust in Western Montana is further evidence that drug cartels remain very active in the state.

The pre-Christmas bust resulted in 51-arrests, with 41 of those suspects being deported.

"It's not something that I say lightly," Knudsen said on Montana Talks. "We know the data. We've known for years that primarily 2 Mexican drug cartels control the drug trade in Montana. But I still think Montana's by and large just don't really understand and maybe don't want to believe that."

Knudsen says the cartels want the Montana business because drugs are worth more here than on the Southern Border.

     He adds the operation shows the importance of a multi-agency approach, with federal, state and local law enforcement pooling their investigative efforts and resources.

More health money coming for Montana

Montana leaders are saying the federal investment announced last week, pumping $233 million into rural healthcare, is just the start of a major upgrade that will be worth more than a billion dollars.

The money, secured through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is aimed at "securing long-term, high-quality health care" for the state's rural communities. Governor Gianforte is calling it a "major step toward modernizing health care, with a total of $1.2 billion Montana's way over the next 5-years.

Montana focus on Nashville today, and NOT for the music

All Montana eyes will be on Nashville with the MSU Bobcats hoping to stop Illinois State's "Cinderella" playoff run of 4 road games, allowing the 'Cats to win their first FCS title since 1984. Illinois State has never won the trophy, although it did play for the title in 2014.

The game will air tonight across the country on ESPN, starting at 5:30 Mountain time.

It's the first time the title game has been played in Nashville in the Vanderbilt First Bank Stadium.

     MSU players and fans have been having a blast all weekend.

And there was a Grizzlies story too, offensive lineman Dillon Botner of Whitefish was given the Doris Robinson Award, honoring the FCS athlete who shows excellence in the classroom and community, as well as on the field.

Cascade County Sheriff wants to know how you get news

The Cascade County Sheriff's Office has been involved in a unique effort for the past week, asking Great Falls area residents how they are receiving local news and updates as 2026 gets underway.

The online survey is designed to help determine the best ways of reaching people, especially with emergency alerts and information, whether that's through legacy media like radio, TV, and newspapers, or online and through social media. Links to the survey can be found on the Cascade County Sheriff's Department Facebook page.