Invasive Mussels Detected in Neighboring States
Montana wildlife officials are watching developments in Oregon and North Dakota after both states recently detected invasive mussels in their waterways. Oregon’s find marked the first confirmed detection of a non-native mussel species in the state; a dead quagga mussel was discovered, though it remains unclear whether it belongs to an established, reproducing population.
Montana has long required all watercraft — including kayaks and paddleboards — to stop at aquatic invasive species check stations. So far this season, those stations have conducted roughly 44,000 inspections and identified invasive mussel species on 20 separate boats.
The detections in neighboring states reinforce why the inspection program matters. Quagga and zebra mussels can devastate native ecosystems and clog water infrastructure, making early interception critical before populations take hold.
Montana’s Congressional Delegation Honors Four Transportation Figures
Montana’s congressional delegation recognized four individuals in June with statements read before Congress as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary commemorations. The honorees — Walter Breuning, Cromwell Dixon, Cam Sholly, and Nick Turner — were highlighted for their contributions to transportation and public service in Montana.
Breuning spent decades working for the Great Northern Railway, retiring at age 66 and going on to live until 114, when he was recognized as the oldest known living person in the world. Dixon accomplished something far more fleeting: at just 19 years old in 1911, he piloted an aircraft over the Continental Divide, flying from Helena to Blossberg in a feat that captured national attention. He died in an accident two days later.
Cam Sholly, who became superintendent of Yellowstone National Park in 2018, was honored for his leadership following the catastrophic 2022 floods. Under his direction, crews managed to reopen nearly the entire park in under a month — a logistical achievement that drew wide praise.
Nick Turner was recognized for supervising bus routes for East Helena Public Schools and continuing to drive a route himself even after partial retirement. Rep. Trow Downing cited Turner as an example of people who form “the fabric of Montana communities.”
Bozeman Man Arrested by ICE Agents, Challenges Detention in Court
Jose David Cortes Torres, a Bozeman resident, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on June 29 after being pulled over in a traffic stop. According to Torres, agents forced him from his vehicle after checking his driver’s license. He is currently being held in Great Falls.
Torres moved to Bozeman in 2023, having entered the United States as a minor, and graduated from a local high school. His attorneys have filed a petition for release, arguing that the arrest and ongoing detention are unlawful and that ICE lacked a proper arrest warrant at the time he was taken into custody.
The case has drawn attention amid broader ICE enforcement activity in Gallatin County, where more than 100 people were reportedly detained in recent operations. Torres’ legal challenge will test whether the manner of his arrest met constitutional and statutory requirements.
Immigration enforcement operations have intensified across Montana in recent months as the Trump administration has expanded deportation efforts, making local cases like Torres’ part of a wider national pattern playing out in smaller communities.
