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  1. 6 a.m.Partly cloudy.34°
  2. NoonPartly cloudy.55°
  3. 6 p.m.Partly cloudy.50°
  4. MidnightPartly cloudy.42°
  1. TodayPartly cloudy. High 60° Low 36°
  2. SatPartly cloudy. High 61° Low 37°
  3. SunPartly cloudy. High 58° Low 37°
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Sunrise 7:11 a.m. Sunset 4:45 p.m.

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Today’s edition · Fri., Nov. 13

Budget panel rejects superintendent's raise; West hosts Gallatin

Plus, Billings West hosts Gallatin in Friday's Class AA semifinal.

The Good Day Billings team2 stories17 sources5 min read

SchoolsTop story

Budget committee unanimously turns down a 24% raise for Superintendent Erwin Garcia

The plan would have lifted Garcia's pay well past today's base

Source: NonStop Local Billings

View as table
Value
Base pay now (about)$217K
Proposed base pay$270K
Proposed with extra pay$290K

If you've been following the superintendent's contract, here's the latest: a Billings school budget committee declined to recommend the proposal Thursday, Nov. 12. The vote was unanimous. The had already failed to clear the raise on a 4-4 vote two weeks ago, and sent it to the committee for the further analysis nearly all trustees wanted.

Critics questioned the size of the increase, fairness to other employees and the district's spending priorities. In the written proposal, the board said keeping Garcia would provide stable leadership and help the district stay competitive when hiring administrators.

  • Base pay: about $217,000 now, $270,000 proposed
  • Extra pay: another $20,000 a year
  • Total: $290,000 before other benefits
  • Contract: would keep Garcia through June 2030

24%raise for Garcia that the Board of Trustees failed to clear on a 4-4 vote

The budget committee's unanimous disapproval came two weeks after that tie vote.

High School Football

Unbeaten Billings West hosts Gallatin at 7 p.m. Friday in the Class AA semifinals

If you're headed to tonight, you're getting the matchup everyone saw coming. Billings West (10-0) hosts Gallatin (9-2) at 7 p.m., and tickets start at $8. The same four teams are back in the Class AA semis for the second straight year, only with the matchups swapped.

Unbeaten Billings West faces a Gallatin team with two losses

Billings WestMeasureGallatin
10Wins9
0Losses2
44Quarterfinal points24

West won at Gallatin 28-7 on Oct. 9. Last week it beat Great Falls 44-7, with QB Seth Williamson throwing for 237 yards and three TDs. MTN Sports reports West's offense is averaging more than 38 points per game, and the Gazette has a guide to all 10 semifinal games.

  • Gallatin: making its fifth consecutive semifinal visit
  • Class A: Columbia Falls travels 545 miles to Sidney (10-0)
  • Billings Central: lost 16-0 to Hamilton in the Class A quarterfinals

Billings West hosts Gallatin in one of Friday's semifinals

  • Gallatin
    Billings West
    Fri., 7 p.m.Class AA: Gallatin is 9-2, West is 10-0
  • Missoula Big Sky
    Kalispell Glacier
    FridayClass AA: Big Sky is 9-2, Glacier is 9-1
  • East Helena
    Hamilton
    FridayClass A: both teams are 8-1

Asked

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News Notes · More

Volleyball

Billings Central, seeking a third straight Class A title, was swept by Columbia Falls in the first round and dropped to the loser's bracket. In Class B, Huntley Project and Jefferson meet in the undefeated semifinal. Matches resume at 10 a.m. Friday with loser-out action. The tournament runs Thursday through Saturday at at Montana State University. MontanaSports.comBillings Gazette

Four undefeated semifinals are set at the state volleyball tournament

ClassUndefeated semifinal
Class AABozeman vs. Gallatin
Class ABigfork vs. Frenchtown
Class BHuntley Project vs. Jefferson
Class CD-G-S-G vs. Manhattan Christian

Toys 'R' Us

Toys"R"Us is reopening inside Rimrock Mall, one of 120 new stores opening nationwide this holiday season. The previous Billings location closed on 24th Street eight years ago. Billings Gazette

Montana Millionaire

Nearly two weeks after the lottery machines went down on Nov. 1, lines formed again Thursday morning, with many people lining up hours before sales started. Jennifer Burnham was fifth in line at the store once known as McFiny's, which has sold at least two $1 million winning tickets. The Gazette has photos of the line. KTVQBillings Gazette

Home Check

If you're traveling for the holidays, the program, which started three weeks ago, lets Billings Police Department volunteers watch your home for free. Volunteers walk around the outside of the house once or twice every week, looking for broken windows, open gates and unfamiliar cars in the driveway. KTVQ

The Buy

Two kitchen upgrades you’ll wish you got sooner: a safe + easy-to-clean 5-in-1 mandolin slicer that will cut your prep time in half, and these top-rated stainless steel mixing bowls that are nesting and dishwasher safe. Advertising from Amazon.

Featured Deal

Every week, lululemon adds new markdowns to its We Made Too Much section. Read: Deals, on deals, on deals. This week, we’re eyeing $30+ off this cozy funnel-neck half-zip and major savings on these buttery-soft joggers in colors like Walnut Crunch, Lotus Lavender, and Willow Leaf. Advertising from lululemon.

Older Adults

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Content marked with an * is advertising.

Around Montana · More

Property tax

A "small" number of Montana homeowners who secured a homestead exemption incorrectly saw a higher property tax bill this fall, according to the Montana Department of Revenue. If you claimed the exemption and your bill looks high, we suggest asking the department about it. Billings Gazette

Griz

Lofing dropped a career-high 25 points. He's a Huntley Project grad, and he's off to a strong start with the Griz. Billings Gazette

25career-high points for Huntley Project grad Lofing

Lofing is off to a strong start with the Griz.

Asked

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Asked

What are you most likely to do this weekend?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

— Marie Curie

Things to Do

Things to Do

Billings, MT

Friday, Nov. 13

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Around the Block

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Neighbors

November 11th is a day of remembrance, gratitude, and deep respect for the men and women who have proudly served in the United States Armed Forces.

“Since the end of World War I, this day has carried a powerful message: the courage of those who serve should never be forgotten. In 1954, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, honoring all American veterans, past and present. Their service represents more than duty. It represents honor, loyalty, resilience, and an…”

— A neighbor, Colton Blvd

32 likes · 5 comments

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The Wrap

Every Tuesday, a group of Vietnam veterans gathers for coffee and conversation at 105 Coffee and Brewing in the Billings Heights. This Veterans Day, one of them, Pete Herzog, hung 16 black-and-white portraits of his fellow regulars there, a thank-you to the friends who've helped him through the years. Good company, well captured.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Billings Clinic and Logan Health now go by One Sky Health

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  2. NonStop Local Billingskulr8.com
  3. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  4. MontanaSports.commontanasports.com
  5. MontanaSports.commontanasports.com
  6. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  7. GoFangofan.co
  8. MontanaSports.commontanasports.com
  9. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  10. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  11. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  12. KTVQktvq.com
  13. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  14. KTVQktvq.com
  15. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  16. Billings Gazettebillingsgazette.com
  17. Billings events calendargooddaybillings.com

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Good Day Billingsto me · Fri., Nov. 136:00 a.m.

Budget panel rejects superintendent's raise; West hosts Gallatin

Plus, Billings West hosts Gallatin in Friday's Class AA semifinal.

The TLDR

  1. Budget committee rejects the superintendent's raise plan
  2. Billings West hosts Gallatin at 7 p.m. Friday
  3. Billings Central swept in state volleyball opener
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Good Day Billings’ other editions

All the news
Health CareBillings Clinic and Logan Health now go by One Sky HealthIf you're a Billings Clinic patient, you'll see the same providers. Billings Clinic and Logan Health, which joined forces in 2023, now go by One Sky Health, a name unveiled Tuesday to give the system one identity across Montana and northern Wyoming.TourismBillings drew a record 2.8 million visitors who spent $703 millionIf you've spotted more out-of-towners lately, it's not your imagination. A Visit Billings survey counted 2.8 million visitors from August 2025 to July 2026, up from 2.6 million in the previous survey. They spent $703 million, up from $620 million, and Future Partners puts the total economic impact at $1.3 billion.BusinessMontana regulators approve the NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills merger in a 3-2 voteThe Montana Public Service Commission approved the NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills merger Tuesday in a 3-2 vote, with conditions. The two conditions deal with NorthWestern's newly acquired share of the Colstrip power plant. The utilities would keep their names under a holding company called Bright Horizon Energy.

Around Billings

From KTVQ, MontanaSports.com and 3 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news
  1. KTVQ2 hours ago

    Proposed $270K superintendent salary put on hold after community pushback, on KTVQ

    The proposed 24.4% raise drew mixed reactions from parents, staff and community members, with concerns over employee compensation and the district's ability to retain its superintendent

  2. MontanaSports.com7 hours ago

    All-class state volleyball: Day 1 roundup, on MontanaSports.com

    A roundup of highlights and second-round action during the first day of the 2026 all-class state volleyball tournaments.

  3. Billings Gazette8 hours ago

    School finance committee unanimously disapproves of 24% raise for Billings superintendent, on Billings Gazette

    According to the teacher's union, 97% of surveyed district teachers disapproved of the considered raise.

  4. NonStop Local Billings8 hours ago

    Billings budget panel rejects superintendent pay raise plan, on NonStop Local Billings

    Billings, Montana — A Billings school budget committee declined to recommend a contract proposal that would have sharply raised Superintendent Erwin Garcia's pay Thursday, Nov. 12.

  5. NonStop Local Montana9 hours ago

    Hamilton Broncs: One win from State Title game, on NonStop Local Montana

    Hamilton, MT — Hamilton forced four turnovers and controlled the pace against Billings Central in the quarterfinals, stretching its winning streak to seven games and moving the Broncs within one

  6. KTVQ9 hours ago

    'It's nice to be seen': Billings Vietnam veteran's photo project honors close-knit support group, on KTVQ

    A Billings Vietnam veteran honored 16 of his fellow veterans this Veterans Day with a series of black-and-white portraits celebrating their service, friendship, and the stories they still carry.