Missoula enters one of its busiest civic seasons as city and county leaders debate FY2027 budgets, Stage II fire restrictions take effect, and commissioners prepare to decide the future of the Miller Creek feral horse herd.
Twenty-two Montana Democratic lawmakers are calling on Senate nominee Alani Bankhead to leave the race and endorse independent Seth Bodnar, arguing a three-way contest could improve Republican Kurt Alme's chances ahead of Monday's withdrawal deadline.
Looking for events in Missoula this weekend? Top highlights for August 7–9, 2026, include the final days of the Western Montana Fair and rodeo, downtown First Friday art walks, Paddleheads baseball, and stargazing at the Blue Mountain Observatory.
Missoula County has raised its fire danger rating from High to Very High due to hot, dry, and windy conditions. Officials warn that fires can spread rapidly, outdoor burning remains closed, and residents are urged to take extra precautions while recreating outdoors.
Missoula leaders tackled the issues shaping 2027: city and county budgets, Montana's first green power tariff, renter affordability, a new fire station, and major infrastructure projects. Here's what happened in local government during the week of July 24–31.
Fair weekend is here, folks. The Western Montana Fair opens Friday at noon at the Missoula County Fairgrounds, the biggest country show of the summer lands at Washington-Grizzly Stadium
The five All Under One Roof partners at Missoula's downtown library — MPL, Families First, UM Living Lab, MCAT, and spectrUM — have launched a 5-minute community survey. Confidential, independent, and with a $25 Downtown Gift Card drawing.
Expect overnight lane closures in Missoula beginning the week of July 27 as MDT completes the final phase of the Urban Pavement Preservation Project. Crews will apply permanent pavement markings on eight streets, with temporary lane closures, reduced speeds, and overnight parking restrictions.
The Western Montana Fair returns to Missoula July 31 through Aug. 8 with free admission, carnival rides, rodeo events, motorsports, nightly concerts, livestock shows, local food, and family activities. Here's what to know before one of Missoula's biggest summer traditions begins.
Missoula takes its final local vote July 27 on the Green Power Program with NorthWestern Energy, and Mayor Davis presents her FY2027 budget July 29 — opening a three-week public comment window before adoption Aug. 17. Here's what's being decided this week and how to weigh in.
Missoula's quiet week masked a busy civic agenda ahead. The FY2027 budget rollout was delayed, a joint City-County Green Power meeting is scheduled for Monday, the Miller Creek feral horse decision moved to August, and key housing, public safety, and growth issues continue advancing.
Looking for things to do in Missoula this weekend? Concerts, PaddleHeads baseball, farmers markets, free family activities and the final Hard Times Bluegrass Festival highlight July 24–26 across Missoula County and western Montana.
