Big Timber Daily Digest Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Ty's Take
The primary dust settled yesterday with Alme and Bankhead moving on, but the real story isn't the names advancing—it's Alme stepping back from that property tax cap fight just as it was gaining traction. Around here we've watched enough legislative sessions to know when a politician suddenly finds reasons to pause, and usually it means the math got harder or the calls got uncomfortable. Meanwhile, two towns are wrestling with their swimming pools like they're trying to solve the county budget, Anaconda just lost its newspaper twice over, and somebody in Bozeman had to learn the hard way that Montana's tribal nations aren't decoration. Slow week in some ways, busy in others, which is how it goes when you're paying attention.
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Big Timber Pioneer
Kurt Alme won the Republican primary while Alani Bankhead secured the Democratic nomination in a state Senate race, according to Associated Press results. Both candidates will advance to the general election.
Republican state senator suspends property tax cap ballot initiative
A Republican state senator has pulled the plug on a ballot initiative that would have capped property taxes. The decision to suspend the effort came after a reassessment of the campaign strategy.
Sweet Grass County cops and courts: May 31-June 6
Law enforcement and court activity in Sweet Grass County for the week of May 31 through June 6 included various arrests and legal proceedings. The digest provides a brief overview of local police and judicial matters during the period.
Anaconda grieves loss of community's treasured twice-weekly newspaper
Anaconda residents are mourning the closure of their community newspaper, which had published twice weekly for years. The loss marks the end of a long-standing news source in the small Montana town.
A tale of two cities…and their swimming pool woes
Two rural Montana cities are grappling with significant challenges at their municipal swimming pools. Both communities face operational or maintenance obstacles that threaten summer recreation for residents.
'They forget whose land they're on': Bozeman Realtor apologizes for anti-Native repost
A Bozeman real estate professional apologized after reposting anti-Native American content on social media. The incident sparked criticism from community members who called out the insensitive remarks about Indigenous lands.
Montana primary election results
Montana's primary election delivered results across multiple state races and ballot measures. Voters determined nominees and decided on key statewide issues heading into the general election.
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