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The Missoula City Council just approved an $8.5 million upgrade to Garden City Compost that will transform how our community handles organic waste.

Funded largely by federal COVID-19 relief dollars, this project includes concrete pads, improved drainage, and better PFAS contamination management. For everyday Zootown residents, this means the compost you drop off will be processed more efficiently and safely.

Whether you're an avid gardener looking for quality soil amendments or a family trying to reduce your environmental footprint, these improvements will make composting more accessible and effective for everyone.

 The facility has been operating on a transitional site since 2017, so these long-awaited upgrades represent a major investment in Missoula's sustainability future.

In the heart of downtown Missoula, Sumac Café has opened its doors in the historic Florence building, bringing authentic Middle Eastern flavors to the city's culinary scene.

Led by a former Silk Road chef, the restaurant offers a carefully crafted menu featuring shakshuka, rotisserie chicken, and Middle Eastern crepes.

This new addition adds to downtown's growing dining diversity while honoring traditional recipes and techniques.

Whether you're seeking a quick lunch break or a relaxed dinner exploring new flavors, Sumac Café provides a distinctive dining experience in one of Missoula's most character-rich buildings.

As customer searches shift to Google, social media, and advanced AI tools like ChatGPT, many Missoula businesses face challenges staying visible online.

Missoula Business Hub steps in to guide local companies in boosting their digital presence, ensuring they show up where people are searching.

The Hub offers training in Google Business Profile optimization, AI search visibility, answer engine optimization, and local SEO strategies.

It also supports content creation for Facebook, Instagram, and other popular social platforms, helping businesses build ongoing engagement and trust.

Email marketing campaigns and customer follow-up systems are another focus, so businesses stay connected beyond just social media algorithms and paid ads.

The mission: empower Missoula businesses to grow locally and thrive, staying competitive as digital search rapidly evolves.

In a success story for local entrepreneurship, M-80 Chicken has made the leap from food truck to brick-and-mortar restaurant with a new downtown Missoula location.

After building a loyal following with their mobile operation, the popular chicken spot celebrated a soft opening at their permanent home, bringing their signature dishes to a convenient central location.

This transition reflects the strength of Missoula's food culture and adds another dining option to downtown's growing culinary scene. For fans of the food truck and new customers alike, M-80 Chicken now offers a comfortable sit-down setting to enjoy their popular menu.

Montana is heading into its fourth consecutive summer of drought conditions, with statewide snowpack at just 66% of normal.

The Missoula area is faring better than most, with the Upper Clark Fork at 87% of normal, but the Lower Clark Fork has dropped to 64%. z

While April brought rain, it fell as precipitation rather than snow, meaning less summer water reserves. Residents should expect possible lawn watering restrictions, higher wildfire risk with earlier backcountry restrictions, lower river flows affecting fishing and floating, and potential impacts on local agriculture.

The Mission Mountains are holding decent snow, but careful water management will be essential across Missoula County this summer.

The Missoula Public Library recently welcomed Mychal Threets, the viral librarian and TIME100 Creator known for celebrating library joy across the nation.

Visiting as part of his book tour for 'So Happy You are Here: A Celebration of Library Joy,' Threets brought his infectious enthusiasm for literacy to the library named World's Best Public Library in 2022.

The event, hosted by the Library Foundation, reinforced the vital role that libraries play as community hubs and resources for all. 

For Missoula residents, the visit was both an inspiration and a reminder of the exceptional library services available right here in our community.

Missoula just proved that ending veteran homelessness is possible — housing 12 veterans in just 60 days through the national "Built for Zero" campaign. .

The "Housed for the Holidays" sprint, running from mid-November to mid-January, doubled the city's monthly veteran housing rate from three to six placements.

Working with the Poverello Center, Volunteers of America, the VA, and United Way, the city tackled barriers like move-in costs and eligibility requirements.

The goal? Make veteran homelessness rare and brief by Veterans Day 2026.

This success isn't just about numbers — it's about neighbors helping neighbors find stability and dignity right here in Zootown.

When summer hits Missoula, locals head outside. The city's restaurants have embraced patio culture with spaces ranging from intimate rooftop hideaways to sprawling brewery backyards.

Standout spots include 7R Rooftop Bar with 360-degree city views, FINN's riverside deck overlooking the Clark Fork, Plonk Wine Bar's secret rooftop oasis, and Highlander Brewing's backyard complete with taco truck and cornhole.

Whether you're after craft cocktails, local brews, or Pacific Northwest cuisine, these patios let you enjoy Montana's summer weather while you dine. Don't forget sunscreen and a light jacket for when the sun goes down.

Discover a treasure trove of Montana-made goods and locally inspired style at Soul City Dry Goods, located in the heart of downtown Missoula. 

This vibrant boutique is your go-to destination for apparel, hats, accessories, top-notch home goods, and delicious local-food finds—all crafted with a western spirit and made with love in the Treasure State

Q & A

Q: Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Missoula, MT?

A: A: Some popular outdoor activities in Missoula include hiking at the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, fishing on the Clark Fork River, and biking the Bitterroot Trail.

Q: Q: What is the weather like in Missoula, MT?

A: A: Missoula has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Average summer temperatures range from 80-90°F, while winter temperatures can drop as low as 10-20°F.

Q: Q: What are some must-visit attractions in Missoula, MT?

A: A: Must-visit attractions in Missoula include the University of Montana campus, the Missoula Art Museum, and the Caras Park Farmers Market.