Josh Margolis

California

Reporter at KECI-TV (Missoula, MT)

Reporter at KTVM-TV (Butte, MT)

@NBCMontana Reporter | IU Class of '18 | Minnesota born and raised

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Articles

Butte man sentenced to 100 years for raping minor girl

2 weeks ago | nbcmontana.com | Josh Margolis

A Butte man, convicted of raping a minor and tampering with evidence, was sentenced to 100 years in prison on ThursdayGordon Duane Ballensky, 61, was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and tampering with evidence last September. The jury found Ballensky not guilty on a separate count of sexual assault. During sentencing -- the judge said Ballensky was emotionally and physically manipulative — and has shown no remorse.
Frontier Conference basketball tournaments coming to Butte

2 weeks ago | nbcmontana.com | Josh Margolis

The Frontier Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons are coming to the Butte Civic Center. Civic Center manager Bill Melvin made the announcement during a board meeting on Thursday. The 2026 tournament will take place from February 27-March 2. The news comes as the Civic Center, an approximately 6,000 seat venue, is getting a brand-new basketball court and an upgraded sound system.
Amended Butte firefighter bill passes Senate Committee

2 weeks ago | nbcmontana.com | Josh Margolis

HELENA, Mont. — A contentious bill meant to clarify authority over volunteer fire services in Butte-Silver Bow has passed the Senate Local Government Committee. which passed the House a month ago, made it out of the committee on a 6-4 vote after being amended via voice vote.
Butte dominates Central in crosstown baseball action

2 weeks ago | nbcmontana.com | Josh Margolis

BUTTE, Mont. — Bad weather delayed the annual Butte crosstown baseball game by nearly a week, but once it got started, the Butte Bulldogs wasted no time showing their championship potential, scoring 13 runs in the first inning en route to a 19-3 triumph. Reigning Montana Gatorade Player of the Year Cayde Stajcar was unstoppable. The Bulldog junior was 4-4 at the plate with 6 RBIs, including a solo home run and three doubles. Stajcar was far from the only impact player for Butte.
Kelvin Sampson's impact on Butte continues to pay dividends

2 weeks ago | nbcmontana.com | Josh Margolis

BUTTE, Mont. — The Montana Tech Orediggers have become a dynasty in men’s basketball, winning four straight Frontier Conference regular season and tournament championships. But 44 years ago, when Kelvin Sampson was promoted to head coach at the age of 25, they were little more than an afterthought in the college basketball landscape. “They hired me as their basketball coach because it was not important.
Bill shifting marijuana tax revenue distribution moves forward

2 weeks ago | nbcmontana.com | Josh Margolis

HELENA, Mont. — Legislators have given the preliminary green light to a bill shifting and clarifying how marijuana tax revenue is allocated. The legislation would revise how marijuana tax revenue is distributed, and establish a habitat legacy account, a big game and wildlife highway crossings and accommodation account, and an account to support homeless shelters’ recovery and treatment efforts.
Social Media Youth Protection Act heads to House floor

3 weeks ago | nbcmontana.com | Josh Margolis

HELENA, Mont. — A bill meant to rein in minors’ social media use has taken its first step in the state legislature. known as Social Media Youth Protection Act, cleared the House Judiciary Committee on party lines, 12-8, just hours after its hearing on Thursday morning. The bill is being brought by lead sponsor State Rep.
Initial hearing held on bill legalizing online fantasy sports in Montana

3 weeks ago | nbcmontana.com | Josh Margolis

HELENA, Mont. — An initial hearing took place in the Montana legislature on Tuesday on a bill that would legalize internet fantasy sports contests in Montana. Although Montana legalized sports betting in 2019, it is one of just six states that does not allow online fantasy sports contests, a market which is currently dominated by FanDuel and DraftKings and lets you choose a selection of professional athletes to compete for the highest score online against others over a specified period of time.
Bill dealing with Butte firefighting authority gets testy Senate hearing

3 weeks ago | nbcmontana.com | Josh Margolis

HELENA, Mont. — Friday evening in Helena saw a lengthy hearing on a controversial bill centered around the future of fire services in Butte-Silver Bow. The Senate Local Government Committee spent two-and-a-half-hours learning about House Bill 547 from both sides of a conflict that has been brewing for nearly 50 years.
Governor Gianforte continues advocating for income tax rate cut

3 weeks ago | nbcmontana.com | Josh Margolis

HELENA, Mont. — Governor Greg Gianforte joined several Republican state legislators and conservative advocates for a rally on a proposed income tax cut. The Americans for Prosperity conservative advocacy group hosted the rally on the capitol’s front steps on Friday afternoon, calling for the passage of Senate Bill 323, shortly after it had its initial hearing. Over two years, the bill would gradually reduce the top income tax rate most Montanans pay from 5.9% down to 4.9%.