This Two-Lane Road is the Most Dangerous One in Montana

Montana's busiest highway is also its most dangerous, according to a new analysis of fatal traffic accidents.

But one of the busiest two-lane roads in Western Montana isn't far behind.

The website iSelect based its report on traffic accident numbers over the past 5 years.

In Montana, I-90 was the location for 75 deaths in that span, with another 10-fatal crashes on "I-90 West". That's actually different than the overall results, which show state highways see the most deadly crashes in most of the country, totaling 42%.

However, state highways are very dangerous in Montana, led by US 93 with 58-fatalities between Idaho and the Canadian border, and 53 deaths on the cross-state US 2. Interstate 15 is in the top 5, followed by US 212 in Southeast Montana with 29-deaths.

SR 200, north/south Highways 89 and 87 were also in the Top 10.

     🚨 All told, 960 fatalities were recorded in Montana during that time frame.

Big reward offered for grizzly poacher

What's a grizzly bear worth in 2026? Turns out to be a lot of money if you're trying to catch a poacher.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was already offering a $7000 reward to help catch the poacher who killed a grizzly north of Perkins Lake in Boundary County, Idaho. The bear was one of those in the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem that spans into Northwest Montana, where it's been a struggle to get a stable bear population established.

Now, the Center for Biological Diversity is going to offer an additional reward of $7300, which goes with $700 added by an anti-poaching group in Idaho for a total reward of $15,000.

     Tips can be called into the Fish and Wildlife Service tip line at 844-FWS-TIPS.

Another report showing Canadian tourist drop

More numbers this week show last year's sharp drop in Canadian tourists visiting the Treasure State.

The Montana Free Press reports border crossings dropped by 26%, dropping by about 75,000 visitors last summer. That's close to the national average of 28%. Some of that reduction is not just tourists, but Canadians who would traditionally come into the U.S. to shop in places like Kalispell and Great Falls.

Montana spending big on "bud"

Montanans have now spent more than $1 billion on marijuana since the state's voters made recreational use legal 3-years ago.

The latest report from the State of Montana shows marijuana users spent $300 million dollars last year alone.

Interestingly, medical marijuana sales have been dropping, although still amounting to $38-million in 2025.

Police response upheld in Supreme Court ruling

A critical ruling for law enforcement this week, as the State of Montana wins a case over search warrants that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The case stemmed from a 2021 incident in Anaconda, where officers entered William Trevor Case's home, fearing for his safety. But when they got inside, they found Case in a closet, armed with a gun. Officers shot him, and he was found guilty of assault, but fought the charge, saying police didn't have the authority to enter his home.

READ MORE: High Court Affirms Montana Case

The court ruled an officer may enter a home without a warrant if they have “an objectively reasonable basis for believing that an occupant is seriously injured or imminently threatened with such injury.”  

Babb resident pitching in to help after landmark restaurant burns

Residents of Babb are pitching in to help an elderly restaurant owner who lost everything this week when a landmark barbecue restaurant burned to the ground.

The Cattle Baron Supper Club caught fire on Wednesday, with the fierce blaze fanned by high winds, destroying the restaurant that's been in the family for more than 100 years.

Now, friends have started a GoFundMe page to help 82-year old Bob Burns and his wife through the rest of the winter without their business. They say the business had struggled since the pandemic, and the Burns didn't have insurance.