🌱 Special Olympics Montana Volunteers Needed + $1.2M In Scams

Good morning, everybody. It's Monday in Bozeman and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: A couple of showers. High: 60 Low: 34.
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High: 64 Low: 39.

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Here are the top three stories in Bozeman today:

1. Special Olympics Montana (SOMT) is actively seeking volunteers for the upcoming 2023 State Summer Games in Bozeman, which will take place from May 17-19. The event is expected to host over 700 athletes and 180 unified partners. With approximately 950-1,000 volunteers needed, individuals can sign up on the SOMT website and choose from various roles, such as field officials, awards staff, photographers, and venue directors. The games will feature seven sports and include an opening ceremony with a concert by country recording artist Stephanie Quayle. (NBC Montana)
2. The Bozeman Police Department has reported a surge in scams in the area, with approximately $1.2 million lost in a single day. Various types of scams, including romance scams, cryptocurrency scams, elder fraud, and business email compromise scams, are on the rise. Residents are urged to be cautious when interacting online and to avoid sending money to individuals they have not met in person, while also spreading awareness among their community. The police department has provided resources and examples of these scams to help educate the public. (Fairfield Sun Times)
3. The banishment of a transgender lawmaker from floor debates during Montana's legislative session garnered national attention, overshadowing significant health policy changes and increased health care spending. The session saw historic levels of Medicaid mental health and provider reimbursement rate increases, but these achievements were overshadowed by the banishment controversy. The boosted provider rates have the potential to improve the supply of services, reduce waitlists, and benefit nursing homes, with rates increasing from $209 to $262 per patient per day in the first year of the next two years. (Subscription: Bozeman Daily Chronicle)

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Today and tomorrow in Bozeman:

Monday, May 8

• Pints With Purpose At Bridger Brewing Co. (5:00 PM)

Tuesday, May 9

• Last Best Place Trivia At Last Best Place Brewing Co. (6:00 PM)
• Bone Dry Comedy Hour Open Mic At Last Best Comedy (8:00 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know an incredible mom you'd like the rest of Bozeman to know about, too? We want to hear about her! Just fill out this simple form and we'll do the rest. And if you’re looking for some inspiration, have a look at these awesome moms!

From my notebook:

• Experience Verge Theater's captivating production of Suzan-Lori Parks' provocative play inspired by "The Scarlet Letter" at the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture. The show explores themes of vengeance, violence, and sacrifice through a powerful narrative and musical elements. General admission is $35 for the remaining performances on May 12 and 13. (The BoZone)
• Montana State University was awarded a $4.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to train school and mental health counselors for rural communities in Montana. The five-year project, called the Rural Mental Health Preparation Practice Pathway Partnership, aims to increase the diversity, training, and employment of mental health professionals in rural, remote, and tribal areas. (Montana State University)
• The next Bozeman City Commission Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 9 at 6 p.m. in the Commission Room at City Hall. Click here to view the meeting agenda. (City of Bozeman via Facebook)

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• Taxes in Retirement Webinar on May 9th and 11th (May 9)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right! See you soon for another 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.