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Saturday, October 17, 2026

51 of 56 Great Falls businesses pass an alcohol ID check

Plus, 17 groups sue the Public Service Commission over climate change.

The Good Day Great Falls team2 stories9 sources4 min read

Public SafetyTop story

Great Falls Police find 51 of 56 businesses passed an alcohol check for under-21 buyers

More businesses passed the alcohol check than in January 2025

Sources: KRTV, The Electric

View as table
Value
Jan. 202582%
Oct. 202691%

If you've wondered who's checking IDs around town, Great Falls Police checked 56 businesses that sell alcohol Wednesday night, Oct. 14. Volunteers who were 19 or 20 tried to buy alcohol at each one, and they showed a valid ID to every seller who asked. Fifty-one businesses passed, a 91 percent success rate.

Employees at the five businesses that sold to the underage buyers were cited for a misdemeanor, The Electric reported. Police say illegal sales have dropped since Montana started requiring alcohol server training.

“As community members, we all have a responsibility to help protect our youth.”

Master Police Officer Shane Klippenes
  • Closed during checks: 8 businesses, not counted in the pass rate
  • Funding: funds pay for the checks
  • Selection: the state chooses the businesses randomly

Five Great Falls businesses failed the alcohol check

BusinessAddress
5th and Wine214 5th St. S.
Holiday Inn Bar and Casino400 10th Ave. S.
Pik and Pump / Kernaghan's1507 8th Ave. N.
Wal-Mart701 Smelter Ave. N.E.
Whiskey Falls Casino721 6th St. S.W.

Source: The Electric

Around Montana

17 groups sued the Montana Public Service Commission to make it consider climate change

If you follow utility regulation, here's the latest. Earthjustice and the Western Environmental Law Center filed a complaint Thursday in Missoula County District Court for 17 groups. Montana Free Press reported that the commission formally rejected the groups' petition last month.

The climate petition went from the PSC to court

  1. Feb. 2024More than 40 organizations and businesses petition the PSC on climate impacts.
  2. Dec. 2024Montana Supreme Court rules in Held v. State of Montana that the right includes a stable climate system.
  3. Sept. 2025The PSC denies the petition.
  4. Sept. 2026The PSC formally rejects the climate petition.
  5. Oct. 15Earthjustice and Western Environmental Law Center file suit for 17 groups.

Sources: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Montana Free Press

The PSC regulates monopoly utilities like NorthWestern Energy. The groups say the Montana Constitution's right to a clean and healthful environment covers climate. The PSC told Montana Free Press it does not comment on active litigation.

“With each passing year, the effects of greenhouse gas pollution on Montana and the region become more severe.”

Derek Goldman, Northwest Energy Coalition
  • Commission: five elected commissioners, all Republican
  • Ask: the court would vacate the PSC's decisions
  • Plaintiffs include Climate Smart Missoula and Helena Hunters and Anglers

17 groupsare plaintiffs in the suit against the PSC

They include healthcare providers, youth organizations, and clean energy and climate advocates.

Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle

News Notes

Janicki

Janicki Industries named Daniel Voorhies, former commander of the 341st Missile Wing, its senior director of operations. The first phase of its $800 million campus is expected to open by the end of 2028. KRTV

HD 20

Republican incumbent Melissa Nikolakakos and Democrat Steve Keller are running for Montana House District 20. Ballots for the Nov. 3 election were mailed Oct. 9. KRTV

Councils

Neighborhood Council 5 meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Great Falls Clinic Specialty Center Conference Room, 3000 15th Ave. S., with Touro medical school interim dean Dr. Thomas Miller as guest speaker. Council 4 meets at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Heritage Baptist Church, 900 52nd St. N., where Municipal Court Judge Mark Dunn will discuss Cascade County Adult Detention Center changes. The Electric

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Janicki projects jobs growing from roughly 200 to at least 2,000

Source: KRTV

View as table
Value
First building opens200 jobs
Within five years1,000 jobs
Full build-out (at least)2,000 jobs

Quoted

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— Robert Frost

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Saturday, Oct. 17

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The Wrap

That's the morning. Ballots for the Nov. 3 election were mailed Oct. 9, so keep an eye on your mailbox.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Two PSC races touch Great Falls, plus Trump's Montana 'super range'

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Every source in this edition9 links · 6 outlets
  1. National Weather Serviceforecast.weather.gov
  2. KRTVkrtv.com
  3. The Electrictheelectricgf.com
  4. Bozeman Daily Chroniclebozemandailychronicle.com
  5. Montana Free Pressmontanafreepress.org
  6. KRTVkrtv.com
  7. KRTVkrtv.com
  8. The Electrictheelectricgf.com
  9. Great Falls events calendargooddaygreatfalls.com

Past issues

  1. Sat., Nov. 7Montana Millionaire sales restart Thu., Nov. 12
  2. Fri., Nov. 6CMR volleyball is headed to state, and a former Great Falls school hits the market
  3. Thurs., Nov. 5MDT wants your input on 10th Avenue South signals
  4. Wed., Nov. 4Benefis will restructure Great Falls services starting Dec. 19
  5. Tues., Nov. 3CMR hosts a volleyball playoff match Wednesday; county awards road contract
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Good Day Great Fallsto me · Sat., Oct. 176:00 a.m.

51 of 56 Great Falls businesses pass an alcohol ID check

Plus, 17 groups sue the Public Service Commission over climate change.

The TLDR

  1. 51 of 56 Great Falls businesses passed a police alcohol check
  2. 17 groups sued the Public Service Commission over climate change
  3. Janicki named a former 341st Missile Wing commander to lead operations
Read this edition

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