By MATTHEW BROWN

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Montana man suspected of killing four people at a bar then evading capture for a week was charged on Wednesday with additional crimes, including attempted arson.

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State District Judge Jeffrey Dahood ordered Michael Paul Brown to be held without bail after the defendant’s attorneys said mental illness could be an issue in the case.

Brown’s family has said the 45-year-old former soldier long struggled with mental illness before allegedly shooting a bartender and three patrons at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, on Aug. 1.

Brown, who lived next door, also tried to damage or destroy the building by lighting objects inside it on fire, according to newly-released court documents.

The owner of The Owl Bar, David Gwerder, said Wednesday he was told by investigators that Brown lit a cardboard pizza box on fire hoping to use it as a “fuse” to ignite a bucket of flammable or explosive material. But the bucket did not ignite, Gwerder said he was told, and the suspect allegedly left the bar then returned a minute later with a gun and shot everyone who was there.

Defense attorney Walter Hennessey pleaded not guilty on Brown’s behalf to charges that also include four counts of murder, theft and eluding police. Brown appeared by video from jail in Butte, Montana.

A conviction for murder, known in Montana as deliberate homicide, can be punishable by death in the state. However, executions in Montana have been on hold since 2015 under a court ruling regarding a drug used in lethal injections.

A decision on whether to seek the death penalty against Brown is pending, Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith told the court Wednesday.

Bail for Brown previously had been set at $2 million. But Dahood on Wednesday sided with a prosecution request to hold Brown for now without the possibility of bail. The judge cited public safety and the mental health issues raised by Brown’s attorneys.

This image made from video provided by the Anaconda Deer Lodge County Justice Court shows Michael Paul Brown, who is accused of killing four people in a bar, during a virtual court appearance, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Montana. (Anaconda Deer Lodge County Justice Court via AP)

The judge set trial for Jan. 12.

Anaconda, about 25 miles northwest of Butte, is home to roughly 9,000 people. It is surrounded by mountains. Following the shooting, Brown allegedly stole a truck that he ditched several miles outside of town at the base of a mountain before escaping into the forest.

He hid for a week in that area west of Anaconda where he was eventually apprehended, moving locations while helicopters and drones circled overhead and officers and dogs searched on the ground, officials said. Brown was captured on Aug. 8 inside an unoccupied structure near a bar in the small community of Stumptown, authorities said.

Investigators also have been examining whether he had any contact with individuals or property owners who might have helped him while he was on the run.

Authorities have not commented on a possible motive, and much of the case against Brown has been sealed by the judge.

Brown had patronized the bar over several decades and knew the victims, Gwerder said.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An estimated $1.4 billion lottery jackpot will be up for grabs Wednesday night thanks to dozens of drawings without a big winner.

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The massive Powerball prize is the sixth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot. It’s a result of 40 consecutive drawings stretching over the summer without anyone matching all of the game’s six numbers.

No one has won the grand prize since May 31, and the 41st drawing on Wednesday will be just one fewer than the record set last year.

All of that losing stems from Powerball’s abysmal odds of 1 in 292.2 million, though lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes. There are three drawings each week.

The $1.4 billion jackpot is for a winner who opts to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game’s cash option, which for this drawing would be an estimated $634.3 million.

Powerball tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“As we look to the upcoming school year, it is my hope that New York City continues to invest in training for our foster parents as well as initiatives like College Choice and Fair Futures, which have helped turn the ‘system’ into a supportive village to help young people in foster care as they transition into adulthood.”

Brooklyn College graduation in 2022. (Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)

This season, students across New York City are going back to college, many with the support of their family members and loved ones who may even pay for resources to assist along the way. Students in foster care, like myself, deserve that same support and encouragement. In New York City, the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is making that happen in a number of ways, for which I am incredibly grateful.

As someone who grew up in foster care, I know how difficult life can be. I have faced many challenges. I was diagnosed as visually impaired at 12 years old. A few years later, both my parents passed away for different health reasons. There I was in my early teens, legally blind and struggling with the grief of losing the two most important people in my life.

After a few different placements both with relatives and foster parents that just weren’t the right fit, I finally met Ms. Matthews, who showed me patience, kindness and love. I know that was not easy to do, as I was rebellious and unmotivated about the future. Ms. Matthews did not let that stop her. She treated me as part of her family. Although I was unsure about what I wanted to do in life she kept on offering me guidance, but most of all—grace. I am grateful for her dedication and her belief in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Ms. Matthews has been a foster parent for many, many years, and so her knowledge of the foster care system is invaluable. She has seen the improvements firsthand and was able to point me to a wide range of resources newly available to older youth in foster care. I was hesitant at first and only did it to appease her, but that changed when I realized how invested everyone was in my success. 

The Fair Futures program was life-changing for me. Ms. Matthews pointed me to an ACS-funded youth center in my borough of the Bronx that paired me with my own Fair Futures coach.  I started to meet with my coach twice a month to plan goals and put them into action, starting with completing my GED. My coach helped me land a paid internship in the catering field. For the first time in a long time, I felt like a productive young adult. 

I was ready to try my next move, but thankfully I didn’t have to do it alone because of the ACS College Choice Program. A team of coaches helped me with everything—from finding the right college, to applying and visiting campuses in person. These are usually rites of passage that a young person does with family members, and that may seem out of reach to teens in foster care. That is not the case anymore, because of College Choice. Foster youth no longer have to feel left out or navigate this complicated process alone. 

College Choice pays the tuition, room and board for college students who are in foster care. It also provides a daily stipend, including for six months after graduation. It is helping to cover the cost of my dual bachelor’s and master’s degree in public administration. This year, 25 young people graduated from the College Choice program.

The help hasn’t stopped there. My Fair Futures coach, Natalie, worked with ACS to help me find, qualify for and furnish my very own apartment. I am in my 20s now and still check in with Natalie often. She helps me stay on track and gives me words of encouragement. 

As we look to the upcoming school year, it is my hope that New York City continues to invest in training for our foster parents as well as initiatives like College Choice and Fair Futures, which have helped turn the “system” into a supportive village to help young people in foster care as they transition into adulthood.

I am an example of what is possible when unconditional support is available for foster youth. I hope the programs continue to grow for the next generation, so every student in New York City—no matter their background—can reach full potential. 

Regina Rivera was born and raised in the Bronx. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s in public administration. Rivera enjoys art and baking and is an advocate.

The post Opinion: Supporting the NYC Students in Foster Care Attending College This Fall appeared first on City Limits.

Byron Buxton has no interest in talking about a 30/30 season. Not yet, at least.

The center fielder reached 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases for the first time in his career over the weekend, a testament to his health as much as his speed and power. But while he has a chance to become the Twins’ first 30/30 player, he’s not up for discussing it.

“I’m not talking about 30/30 unless I’m at 30/30,” he said. “Once I get there, we can talk about it.”

It could happen. The Twins have 23 games remaining after Wednesday. Buxton hit his career-high 29th home run of the season on Sunday, and currently sits at 21 stolen bases entering Wednesday’s play.

Those 21 steals include one of third base, the first of his career. The speedster attempted it for the first time in his career in 2016 as part of a double steal attempt with Eduardo Núñez. He was caught, and didn’t try again until Friday.

“I definitely remember,” he said. “That’s why I don’t do it anymore, because I realized, well, if I stay at second and you hit a single, I score anyway. So, I stopped taking the chance of getting thrown out and giving up a run. Hit me a single and I’m going to score for you.”

So, what changed on Friday? Nothing really, it seems.

“I literally told (third base coach) Tommy (Watkins) during the pitching change ‘I’m stealing,’ ” he said. “That’s what I told him, so I ran.”

That steal was his 20th of the season, putting him in the 20/20 club for the first time in his career. He became just the seventh Twins player to accomplish the feat and is currently one of 13 players in the majors who have reached the milestone this season.

And that one, he’s happy to talk about.

“Means a lot. Means being healthy. Proves that’s what it takes,” he said. “When you’re healthy, your mind is at more of a mental peace. Things, I don’t want to say come easier, but you tend to let go of things a little easier and turn the page a little quicker.”

Last week, Buxton reached 100 games played for the third time in his career, marking the first time he’s done so in back-to-back seasons. Over the weekend, he eclipsed 102 games, the number he played last year.

The Twins have more than 20 games remaining and while Buxton has not stolen nine bases in a single month this season, it’s not necessarily outside the realm of possibility. If he reached 30, it would be a new career high, eclipsing the 29 he stole in 2017, the healthiest season of his career. He played in 140 games that season.

“He could get nine steals in one game if he gets on base enough and we green light him enough,” teammate Royce Lewis said.

But whether he eventually gets to 30/30 or even 25/25, those around him have delighted in watching him play this season, seeing a healthy Buxton on the field more often than not.

“It’s become one of those things where almost every day you come in and he’s doing something even more impressive or setting some new mark and doing something great,” manager Rocco Baldelli said.

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