Kay Erickson

2 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

The Montana Lottery Commission Thursday approved more $1 million grand prizes, more tickets, more instant wins and what they say are better overall odds. The 2025 Millionaire game will have five $1 million grand prizes, 120,000 more tickets than in 2024, 200 more $500 instant winners, 1,600 more $100 instant winners and the $250,000 Quarter Million Monday Drawing on Dec. 1. Last year, all 500,000 tickets sold out in less than three hours from when they went on sale at 5:30am on Nov. 1.

2 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

Three Montana chefs, a chef from Colorado and one chef from Idaho are competing for the title best chef in the 5 state Mountain region. The Montanans are Joshua Adams at Campione in Livingston, Brandon Cunningham at the Social Haus in Greenough , and David Wells at the Tasting Room at Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa at Pray. The Union in Helena is competing with new restaurants in 9 other states and Washington D.C. for the title best new restaurant. Restaurants apply for the awards.

2 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

Monday the University of Montana announced that sophomore linebacker Clay Oven will be wearing No. 37, the Grizzlies’ legacy jersey. Former cornerback Trevin Gradney—a Billings West grad—picked Oven, a Billings Central grad to carry on the legacy. He is only the second Billings player to wear the jersey and the second undergrad.

2 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

Montana wildlife officials are asking for the public’s help in tracking an elusive, native reptile in eastern and central Montana. It is the horny toad, the greater short-horned lizard, the mountain short-horned lizard or phrynosoma hernandesi. It was once almost as abundant in Montana as the western rattlesnake but this small, knobby, flat, well camouflaged lizard is now considered a species of concern, reports Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in a recent news release.

2 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

It’s a version of farm to table, connecting eaters with a local food source. In this case, it’s garden to critter. Mary Alice Spencer is the overseer of the bamboo crop at Zoo Montana, something she does twice a week. Yes, bamboo grows in Montana and has for several years at the zoo. “These are northern species of bamboo. And they are good to – 5 C to -10 C so they are tough,” explained Spencer.