Billings Daily Digest Thursday, August 13, 2026
Ty's Take
The MET's expanding free service for Banana Ball games is the kind of small move that adds up, especially for families trying to catch a game without dropping another twenty bucks on parking. But what it really signals is Billings understanding what a lot of smaller cities have figured out: getting people downtown and moving them around town matters more than squeezing another dollar out of every transaction. MetraPark's been working hard to draw crowds, and when the city helps clear the friction points between here and there, everyone benefits. That's not complicated economics. That's just a town deciding to invest in itself showing up.
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Billings Gazette
'Give me a shot': Helena hires Corey Parker as new fire chief
Helena has appointed Corey Parker as its new fire chief. Parker will lead the city's fire department in his new role.
New job postings for Billings job seekers
Several healthcare positions are now open in the Billings area, including medical laboratory technologists and a family nurse practitioner. Job seekers can review the latest postings through local employers including Northeast Montana Health Services and Fuller Family Medicine.
Billings neighbors: Obituaries for August 13
The Billings Gazette published obituaries for residents who passed away on August 13.
August 12 recap: Billings news you may have missed today
This roundup covers the top news stories from Billings on August 12 that readers may have missed.
Photo: MontanaFair from the air
Aerial photography captures MontanaFair from the Century Wheel as the event continues through Saturday at midnight. Rodeo Billings runs nightly Thursday through Saturday as part of the fair festivities.
Hank Green: Famous Missoula video creator admits to 'relying too heavily' on AI
A popular video creator from Missoula has acknowledged that he relied too heavily on artificial intelligence in his recent work. The content creator's admission comes as questions mount about AI use in online media.
Montana Highway Patrol to let Billings police use incinerator for drug burns
The Billings Police Department has received permission from the Montana Highway Patrol to use its incinerator for controlled drug burns. The arrangement restores the city's ability to dispose of confiscated narcotics safely.
Expanded free MET service for Banana Ball games
Free MET transit service is being expanded for Banana Ball games in Billings. The expanded service aims to make attending games more accessible to the community.
Rocky men’s and women’s soccer picked fourth in CCC polls
Rocky's men's and women's soccer teams have been picked fourth in preseason polls for the Cascade Collegiate Conference. Both squads will look to climb the standings during the upcoming season.
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