As 2025 comes to an end, Montana Free Press reporters are reviewing their year’s work and looking ahead to 2026.
Though journalists often have a reputation for prying, some prefer not to eavesdrop. It’s more comfortable when people can converse openly without lowering their voices. However, one day in May, a chance overhearing at a Cascade County commission meeting led to an unexpected story.
Cascade County election administrator, Terry Thompson, mentioned frustrations with federal customs at the airport. After the meeting, Thompson, a Great Falls Airport Authority Board member, explained that U.S. Customs and Border Protection requested the board to cover $75,000 for office equipment, costs previously managed by the agency. The board met that same day, and further reporting revealed that the airport board chair labeled the request as “extortion.” Similar demands faced the Cut Bank airport, surpassing its entire budget, during a year when the Department of Homeland Security, CBP’s parent agency, received budget boosts.
This incident highlighted the importance of in-person reporting. Beyond remote tools like Zoom, firsthand presence yielded stories such as a March feature on The Russell art auction and an October report on Toby’s House crisis nursery. A May story on a deportation, involving American children, was from the federal courthouse, a location where recording is prohibited.
Personal engagement yields information. A community tip about a new fundraising director at the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation led to a visit on Sept. 5. Though the director wasn’t present, a polite tour revealed housing services for visiting patients. The weekend’s investigation uncovered fraudulent activities by newly appointed fundraiser Adrian Swensen. He was dismissed two days after the revelations.
WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON IN 2026?
In 2026, the focus will be on local government accountability in Great Falls. This core news, covering city, county, and schools, ensures the public remains informed. While attention will remain on federal agency actions and controversial local hires, the primary goal is to illuminate the implications of local policies.
Significant developments in commercial and residential projects initiated in 2025 continue to unfold, contributing to Great Falls’ growth narrative. This includes ongoing coverage of the Sentinel missile upgrade project involving Malmstrom Air Force Base.
The upcoming midterm elections in 2026 will spotlight races for state legislators, Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter, County Attorney Josh Racki, and Clerk and Recorder Sandra Merchant.
Alongside these topics, stories on unique community experiences aim to portray Great Falls as an endlessly fascinating place.
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