Jen Austin

Progress is coming along nicely for the new brew pub & restaurant in Rimrock Mall. Freefall Brewery is aiming to open in the next few weeks. Finally, a cool spot to relax in the mall while my wife and kids shop.

We've had four shootings in the past week or so, and another wacky crime today (11/21), when somebody took a bus from the bus station downtown for a joyride. With two passengers on board.

Whoa. Hold on a minute. Outback?! Ummm, no. They might as well have picked Applebee's.

How do you know if you live next to a meth lab in Billings? Or, if you've purchased a house that was formerly used to cook meth?

Everybody has their strengths and weaknesses. These two gentlemen put their strengths on display everyday for all of Billings to enjoy.

If you've been downtown this week, maybe you've wondered what's up with the tractors parked around town and the extra influx of large pick up trucks. It's the 100th anniversary of the Montana Farm Bureau Convention and Trade Show.

There's a lot that could have gone wrong as this guy attempts to help a couple of deer.

While Montana continues to have the highest suicide rate in the country, a new study reveals Billings is one of the least depressed small cities in America.

This Saturday, November 9th representatives from Wreaths Across America will be at all Ace Hardware locations in Yellowstone County. You can purchase a Veteran headstone wreath for $15.

The Department of Defense confirmed today (10/30) that Sgt. Nathaneil G. Irish, 23 of Billings, died in Iraq on Sunday, October 27.

You always see various lists of "Top Small Towns For ____". There is a new report based on job growth and other economic indicators and Billings fell... big time.

According to the Billings Public Schools Facebook page, Senior High School (425 Grand Avenue) is currently on lockdown.

Over the weekend, I saw this post on Facebook, a video that shows what appear to be cockroaches (a lot of them) crawling around underneath a table at the food court in Rimrock Mall. Holy gross.

There are "signs" of another fitness club opening soon, next to the WalMart on the west end. Planet Fitness plans to open next month at 640 S. 24th Street West, in the former Toys 'R' Us building.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday (10/8) evening, the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Department announced that 22-year Diego T. Hernandez of Laurel, was arrested in connection with the death of Lori Bray.

With this wisdom, I plan ahead and get ready for what is going to happen.

Billings will start the work week with highs in the 70's. But don't get used to it. Temperatures start to plummet on Tuesday night, and more than a half a foot of snow is possible by Thursday morning (10/10).

Montana is not known as haven for fantastic Mexican food (as transplants from southwestern states like to mention every time you try to talk about Mexican food in Montana), but when I need tacos in my belly, here are a few of my favorite picks around Billings.

Thankfully, no one was hurt in the fire and Habitat for Humanity has since found a new home on the west end.

Back in January of this year, the Rose Park PTA still needed to raise around $80,000 to complete an inclusive playground next to the school. But the generous Billings community stepped up with donations both large and small.