🌱 Billings High School District Bill + First Class Of Med Students

Welcome back, Billings! I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Partly sunny and warmer. High: 71 Low: 43.
• Saturday: Pleasant with clouds and sun. High: 70 Low: 42.

Business owners and marketers in Billings: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Billings:

1. The Montana Legislature passed a bill that would allow four school districts in Billings to form a high school district while maintaining separate districts for elementary and middle schools. The law would come into effect if signed by the governor and requires a minimum of 1,000 students to form the high school board. A group of supporters conducted a survey earlier this year that showed consolidation and forming a new high school were major concerns and now they plan to form a steering committee to gather more information and potentially decide whether to put this on the ballot. (Q2 News)
2. Billings Senior High School sophomore Syler Pizzolato, who was born with severe hearing loss in both ears, will represent the USA at the sixth World Deaf Championships in Argentina on Aug. 13-19. Pizzolato recently made the USA Swimming Futures Cut, putting him in the top one percent of swimmers in the state in his age group. He has adapted to swimming with hearing loss and uses a strobe light to start his races, and will compete in lanes next to other deaf swimmers for the first time in his life at the upcoming event. (KULR-TV)
3. Rocky Vista University Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine is set to welcome the first class of 80 students in July, making it the first medical school in Montana. Justin Pallo, an incoming student, expressed excitement about being part of the pioneering class and contributing to the culture of future students by tackling some of the challenges that may arise. He plans to go into primary care, and being able to attend medical school in Montana is convenient for him and his family who have many relatives in the state. (Q2 News)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Friday, April 28

• Party For Parks: Boots & BBQ At Pub Station (6:00 PM)

Saturday, April 29

• Derby Days At Northern Hotel (12:30 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know a Billings student who’s making a difference in the community? We want to hear about them! Click here to nominate a student to be featured on Patch.

From my notebook:

• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Billings area at the link! (Billings Patch)
• The Boat-N-Bicycle Swap will take place in Billings' Sunshine Sports parking lot tomorrow (Apr. 29), where individuals can drop off any outdoor gear they want to sell, including rafts, kayaks, camping gear, and bicycles. There is no consignment fee, only a small gear handling fee, and shoppers can start browsing for used items at 10 a.m. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)
• Are you looking to fill your social calendar this week? Check out the list of events happening in and around Billings this week at the link! (Visit Billings)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox soon with a new update!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.