Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How could Yellowstone County’s new data center rules affect Billings?

Also check out Brain Health Day on the Billings Patch calendar

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Sunday September 27th Patch AM
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Greetings Billings! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How could Yellowstone County's new data center rules affect Billings?
  • How Billings' new MSU nursing building could ease Montana's nurse shortage
  • How a Mexico-based drug ring funneled meth and fentanyl into Billings

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What are the two favorite words for a shark to hear? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Billings Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Billings Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: A p.m. shower in places, with a high of 64 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Monday: Rather cloudy with a shower, temps: high: 72, low: 49.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 80 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Yellowstone County approves revised initiative meant to force regulations of data centers (easternprogress.com) — Yellowstone County has approved a revised citizen initiative that would require two-thirds voter approval for new or expanding data centers, directly affecting projects near Billings like Quantica's. Petitioners are now gathering roughly 27,600 signatures, a tougher threshold because the vote is slated for a May 2027 special election. The measure also demands interim zoning rules and immediate public disclosure of county contacts with data center companies.
   

2. New MSU College of Nursing building in Billings aims to address nurse shortage (ktvq.com) — A new Montana State University College of Nursing building has opened in Billings, giving local nursing students high-tech simulation labs and a permanent home base instead of scattered clinical sites. Leaders hope the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing campus will help ease Montana's severe nurse shortage by graduating enough nurses to meet workforce demand by 2030.
   

3. Billings man gets 14 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and cocaine while on supervised release (falloncountyextra.com) — A Billings man has been sentenced to more than 14 years in federal prison, plus 10 years of supervised release, for leading large-scale meth, cocaine, and fentanyl trafficking centered in Billings. Investigators say the Mexico-linked operation funneled dozens of pounds of meth and tens of thousands of fentanyl pills into the city, using local apartments and hotels as stash sites before Best fled to Mexico and was captured.
   

4. Rocky Mountain College welcomes largest OTD class in five years (billingsgazette.com) — Rocky Mountain College in Billings has welcomed 28 new students into its Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, its largest class in five years. Nearly half are from Montana communities, including Billings, reflecting the program's focus on serving rural regions while expanding faculty mentorship, research opportunities, and on-campus clinical experience through the Montana Developmental Assessment Clinic partnership.
   

📸 Around Billings

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Billings

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Monday September 28
  • Brain Health Day →
    Eagle Seeker Community Center, 1125 Broadwater Avenue, Billings

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Billings Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Say, found a drone in our backyard (400 block of Lewis Ave).
    Looks to be in fine shape. Let me know if it might be yours. We'll figure out how to get it back to you. (Nextdoor Lewis Ave)
  • Not my kitty—-sharing from —
    LOST CAT ALERT! Have you seen this pet? Aja was lost on September 25, 2026 and was last seen near Billings, MT If you have information on their… (Nextdoor Southside Area)
  • Basalite Building Products posted a job opening for Material Handler in Billings. Apply here.
  • City of Billings, MT posted a job opening for Planning Clerk in Billings. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Billings here.

Ok Billings! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "MAN OVERBOARD!" (Thank you M J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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