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🌱 Patch AM: How a Billings case quietly erased Montana’s gun-free school zones

Spotted on the Billings calendar: HomeFront Housing Authority Meeting

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Good morning to you Billings! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Billings case quietly erased Montana’s gun-free school zones
  • How one Billings Christmas tree became a 95-year community tradition
  • Where you can legally pick free fruit in Billings parks

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Billingsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 59 and low of 39 degrees.
  • Friday: Variable cloudiness, temps: high: 56, low: 33.
  • Saturday: Colder; a little morning snow, with a high of 38 and low of 12 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Law of unintended consequence: Montana Legislature wipes out gun-free school zones (bozemandailychronicle.com) — A recent federal appeals court ruling centered on a Billings neighborhood near Broadwater Elementary has effectively shrunk Montana’s gun-free school zones to school property itself. The decision, driven by a Billings man’s case, limits what local police can do about armed individuals near schools and leaves any fix to a future Legislature, leaving Billings parents and educators in a legal gray area.
   

Find out what's happening in Billingsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Billings community Christmas tree's roots run deep (kulr8.com) — Billings’ community Christmas tree at Division Street and First Avenue North still anchors the city’s holiday kickoff, just as it has since 1930. Born from a garden club effort to give St. Vincent Hospital’s children a bright view, the tree has grown into a cherished symbol of compassion and togetherness for generations of residents.
   

3. Urban Foragers Are Mapping Edible Plants Around the World (goodmenproject.com) — Billings parks quietly host dozens of fruiting trees and shrubs planted for the city’s Parkland Gleaning Project, all mapped on the global Falling Fruit app. Residents can legally pick apples, plums, chokeberries and more in nine parks, and city staff hope renewed outreach and shared recipes will get more neighbors using this free, local food source.
   

4. A Christmas miracle: Billings baby beating rare form of cancer with genetic treatment (ktvq.com) — An eight-month-old Billings baby, Rowan Edgell, is beating an extremely rare cancer thanks to an experimental, gene-targeted oral treatment coordinated through Billings Clinic and Children’s Hospital Colorado. His tumor has shrunk dramatically, saving his hand and avoiding chemotherapy so far, and his family credits the Billings community’s support as he heads into a follow-up MRI that will determine whether surgery is still needed.
   

📸 Around Billings

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • At 40 I find myself thinking differently about time.
    After years of training responsibility and long hours it no longer feels unlimited. It feels valuable in a more precise way. Earlier on the focus… (Nextdoor Pioneer McKinley Historic Districts)
  • A friend of mine just adopted from Help for Homeless Pets, and she said, "They had so many small pups and puppies there today it was unreal.
    She should go out there and check them out." They're open from 1pm to 6pm today! (Nextdoor Alkali Creek)
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Bakery Wrapper / Clean Up in Billings. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate 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: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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