🌱 Patch AM: What does Gianforte’s Bozeman homestead tax break mean for local taxpayers?

What's up Bozeman! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What does Gianforte’s Bozeman homestead tax break mean for local taxpayers?
• Why federal agents arrested a Belgrade man in Bozeman
• Can Bozeman and Gallatin swimming bring home even more state trophies?

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Eve worship and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 53 and low of 31 degrees.
• Sunday: Sunshine, temps: high: 55, low: 36.
• Monday: Cloudy, with a high of 56 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Gianforte, required to ‘reside' in Helena, claims homestead tax exemption for Bozeman property (bozemandailychronicle.com) — Gov. Greg Gianforte is claiming a homestead tax exemption on his longtime home outside Bozeman, even as the state constitution requires the governor to reside in Helena. The move, allowed under new second-home tax rules, lowers taxes on the Bozeman house while raising questions about how often it’s occupied and how the law applies to top state officials.
   

2. Belgrade man accused of threatening state and federal officials (belgrade-news.com) — A Belgrade man was arrested in Bozeman on federal charges accusing him of threatening Montana’s governor, U.S. senators, and other officials. He was taken into custody on a warrant in November, appeared in court the next day, and now faces indictment and arraignment while being held in federal custody.
   

3. Bozeman, Gallatin swim teams looking to chase more team trophies in 2025-26 (bozemandailychronicle.com) — Bozeman and Gallatin high school swim teams are kicking off the 2025-26 season with high hopes after strong state finishes last year, including Bozeman boys’ back-to-back titles. With record-setting swimmers returning and growing rosters, especially at Gallatin, coaches say the Bozeman Swim Center is buzzing as athletes chase more hardware at this year’s state meet.
   

4. Young conservationist to be honored at Izaak Walton League ceremony in Detroit Lakes (dl-online.com) — A Montana State University student studying biological sciences in Bozeman is being honored for her conservation work and study-abroad research in New Zealand. Norah Foreman credits both her time in Bozeman and her New Zealand internship with deepening her commitment to Indigenous-informed conservation, and she’ll be recognized at an Izaak Walton League awards ceremony in Detroit Lakes.
   

5. Exclusive Interview with Max Davies from Kitchen Dwellers (wrrv.com) — A rising newgrass band from Bozeman, Kitchen Dwellers are earning national attention for their high-energy, psychedelic-tinged bluegrass shows. Guitarist Max Davies talks with a Maine radio host about life on tour, the band’s 2024 album Seven Devils, and how they’re riding the broader jamgrass wave alongside acts like Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle.
   

📸 Around Bozeman

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bozeman

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 13

• The Disruptors
  Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Bozeman Aerie #326, Bozeman
  9:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday December 14

• Holiday Spectacular
  Willson Auditorium , 404 W Main St , Bozeman
  2:30 pm

Monday December 15

• Boys Basketball 6th Home (Ophir)
  Anderson 7-8 Bozeman, MT 59718
  4:00 pm
• Boys Basketball 8th Home (Ophir) -8th Grade Night
  Anderson 7-8 Bozeman, MT 59718
  5:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• 6-8 Band/Choir concert
  Monforton 6-8 Bozeman, MT 59718
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• KF-4 Winter Concert
  Anderson 7-8 Bozeman, MT 59718
  2:15 pm
• 5-8 Winter Concert
  Anderson 7-8 Bozeman, MT 59718
  6:30 pm

Friday December 19

• Bozeman MT DEC 19th
  Last Best Comedy , Alley Entrance , 321 E Main St , Bozeman
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve worship
  Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church , 3580 N Benton Ave , Helena
  3:00 pm

📣 Bozeman Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 13

• Christmas Party
  Eagle Mount Bozeman , 6901 Goldenstein Ln , Bozeman
  4:00 pm
• Homestead Holiday
  Museum of the Rockies , 600 W Kagy Blvd , Bozeman
  6:00 pm

Sunday December 14

• West Dakota Stutter
  Wheelhouse , 10 Evergreen Dr Ste B , Bozeman
  12:00 pm
• Skate with Santa
  Gallatin County Fairgrounds , 901 N Black Ave , Bozeman
  3:00 pm

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Bozeman PatchAM possible:

• Granite Peak Mechanical Services, LLC — (406) 651-7369
  24/7 Emergency Service

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• The Christmas ‘Copter: Santa’s Visit to Bozeman in 1948
  https://m.bozemanmagazine.com/articles/2025/12/01/126086-the-christmas-copter-santas-visit-to (Nextdoor Dogwood Dr)
• Found some Apple AirPods (case + one headphone) walking in Valley West and would like to get them back to the owner.
  Spoke with Apple and they weren’t able to provide any owner information. If you believe they are yours, please contact me to verify you’re the owner… (Nextdoor Valley West)

• Macy's, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Merchandising Support Associate, Bozeman Gallatin Valley - Flex in Bozeman. Apply here.
• TJX posted a job opening for Store Cleaning Associate in Bozeman. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bozeman here.

Ok Bozeman! 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 demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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