Good morning, Great Falls.

Hikers can join a Harvest Moon and Sunset Hike at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park on October 8 at 6 p.m. along a three-mile trail that lasts about two hours—ranger Andy Keller will share park history and a $4 fee applies for up to 25 reserved spots.

On October 22 from 7-9 p.m., park staff will host a free stargazing event with three telescopes, hot chocolate, and cookies under a clear Montana night sky at a park located three miles north of Ulm near I-15 exit 270.

A new driving map called Nightmare Before Candy Canes will show Halloween stops across town as families can join by decorating their homes, handing out candy, or offering teal pumpkin safe treats.

Participants must send their address by October 12 and the first map will be posted on October 13—organizers said voters will choose their favorite stop.

Students at St. Patrick's Academy East collected 637 boxes of cereal for the Great Falls Community Food Bank, a donation that will supply enough for 5,000 bowls to help fight local food insecurity.

Sixteen eighth-graders led by gathering 146 boxes before celebrating with a domino run (a creative event combining service and fun).

The Great Falls Symphony opens its 67th season tomorrow at the Mansfield Theater, showing six maestro candidates in six concerts and offering free pre-concert talks for community feedback — a two-year search narrowed 238 applications to these finalists.

Ryan Tani, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s associated conductor, is the first candidate and his program tells a story about star-crossed lovers using vivid music.

Great Falls Public Library is offering free digital literacy classes every Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Cordingley Room at 301 Second Avenue North—classes cover internet basics, cybersecurity, email use, and more until November 12 while giving participants a chance to win an Amazon Fire HD10 tablet.

Great Falls faces a federal shutdown that closed the Lewis — Clark Interpretive Center and disrupted key events, affecting over 200 daily visitors.

Alluvion Health, which serves 12,000 patients, may scale back services if federal funding delays continue — a move that could risk community care.

University of Providence has opened a new Nursing Skills Lab in Great Falls as part of its four-year BSN program (the first of its kind) to let students practice clinical skills with private patient rooms, a dedicated medication space, and high-fidelity mannequins (simulating checkups and emergencies). Montana hospitals face a nursing shortage, so the lab will help train more nurses to meet local health care needs.

Caleb Taylor leads CMR as he takes charge of the football team in a homecoming game against Billings Senior today at Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m.—he credits his growth to early film study with his older brother and coaching from past mentors.

Taylor has thrown for 821 yards this season and says his team must start strong early to turn around recent losses.

Memory Cafe for October

12:30-2:00 p.m. — Great Falls Public Library — Free entry — Engage in fall crafts and connect with others concerned about memory loss.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Concert

7:30-9:30 p.m. — The Newberry — Tickets available — Experience the energetic sounds of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus in a live performance.

Trevor Panczak Live Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts — Tickets start at $230 — Experience an unforgettable evening with Trevor Panczak in Great Falls.

MPAC Conference: A Night of Roots Music

7-11 p.m. — Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts — $25 — Experience country songwriter Sterling Drake as he takes you on a musical journey through roots music traditions.

Fashion as a Reflection of Time and Place

1-2 p.m. — The History Museum — Free entry — Explore the fascinating history of fashion through the Davis 4-H Clothing Collection with Leslie Davis Burns.

Daft Punk Tribute Night

8:30 PM – 12:30 AM — The Newberry — Tickets starting at $80 — Experience an unforgettable tribute to the legendary Daft Punk.

Powering Savings: Energy Tools & Financial Opportunities for Montana Businesses

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — SpringHill Suites by Marriott Great Falls — Free entry — Explore tools for energy efficiency and financial support to enhance sustainability for businesses and organizations.