Montana News Roundup: “Topping Off” This Iconic Destination

One of the most well-used community locations in Montana is embarking on the third and final phase of a major upgrade.

Plans are to raise another half-million dollars to finish Caras Park in Missoula.

The park, which restored and recovered valuable waterfront along the Clark Fork River more than 30 years ago, has seen the complete replacement of its stormwater system, installation of new features, and new river access being completed this year.

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Topping off the Caras Park Project

The final task is replacing the massive canopy over the Caras Park Pavilion that hundreds of thousands of people use every year.

"The canopy was intended to last 12 to 15 years. We've actually gotten 28 years of great use out of it." -Linda McCarthy, Exec. Director, Downtown Missoula Partnership

McCarthy says the Partnership has already raised a quarter of a million dollars, but will be campaigning for the total $500,000 to get the project started this fall, with work planned in October after this summer season. Donate here.

All eyes are on this Montana court case today

The fate of Montana's so-called "Bathroom Bill" is set to be argued in Missoula County District Court today, with the outcome determining conservatives' latest attempt to enforce gender exclusivity in private places.

Governor Gianforte signed House Bill 121 immediately after it reached his desk from the Legislature last month, and it also took effect right away.

The new law covers not just restrooms, but sleeping areas and locker rooms, and specifically addresses "male" and "female" use, setting up a path for legal action for non-compliance.

The suit, filed on behalf of two state employees by the ACLU of Montana, maintains that it's a violation of transgender rights.

READ MORE: Lawmakers Debate the Meaning of "Biological Sex"

Speed and no seat belts cause more Montana people to die

It was a deadly weekend on Montana roads, with MHP reporting five people were killed in four
different accidents.

Late Friday night, a 22-year-old Circle man was killed when he overcorrected his car and it rolled over, throwing him clear because he wasn't wearing a seat belt. Saturday, two women, one from North Dakota and the other unknown, were killed near Plentywood when a pickup slammed into their car head-on. The driver of the truck and a 10-year-old girl were injured.

Also Saturday, a 20-year-old woman from Ennis was killed when she was thrown from her truck when it overturned on I-94 near Glendive. Troopers say speed, alcohol, and the lack of a seat belt were factors. A 61-year-old Stevensville man was killed Saturday evening when his ATV didn't make it around a curve on a side road, going over a bank, and killing him.

Thousands gather for UM Pow Wow

It was an amazing weekend in Missoula as nearly a thousand tribal dancers from all over Montana, and many Western States gathered for the 56th annual Kyiyo Pow Wow at the University of Montana.

The turnout was one of the largest since the pandemic, with 997 registered dancers taking the floor in the Adams Center for three "grand entries" and hours of individual dances in all styles, with all ages. And an estimated 5000 people took part.

The event started in 1968 and is one of the longest-running student-sponsored powwows in North America.

Montana Monday Math

-There are 12 federally recognized tribes in Montana, on 7 federal reservations and spread through the communities of the Treasure State.