All posts by Big Sky Headlines

Canada looks to shift auto industry away from U.S.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wants his nation’s auto industry to look far beyond its usual American market with investments in electric vehicles and other trade partners. U.S. tariffs have hit Canada hard, prompting a shift in Canada’s economic strategy. This pivot has already frustrated U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened 100% tariffs on Canada Read More…

NASA awards grant to Montana State for quantum space communications

A new $750,000 EPSCoR grant from NASA will help researchers at Montana State University work to limit the impact of atmospheric turbulence in quantum laser communications links between ground stations and space terminals. The project, titled “Programmable Photonics for Quantum Space Networks,” is funded through September 2028. The project builds on optical communications technologies developed Read More…

Montana State nursing college receives $2.5 million for scholarships, student success efforts

The Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing at Montana State University is set to nearly double its financial support for students after receiving a large grant from the Bedford Falls Foundation – DAF. The $2.5 million gift will go toward scholarships for students from Montana and student success efforts. The college and MSU Alumni Foundation expect the money to directly fund upward of 380 scholarships over five years starting this fall semester. The Bedford Falls Foundation seeks to remove financial Read More…

House Oversight probes Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband’s businesses

(The Center Square) – The House Oversight Committee is investigating the rapid rise in value of two companies owned by Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband, amid concerns over financial transparency and potential influence. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said Omar’s husband, Timothy Mynett, has ownership stakes in two companies, eStCru Read More…

Los Angeles police chief declines to enforce ICE mask ban

(The Center Square) – California has a new law that prohibits law enforcement from wearing masks, but don’t expect it to be enforced in Los Angeles. At least not when it comes to federal immigration officers. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said enforcement of Senate Bill 627 would endanger officer safety. McDonnell, who decided Read More…

Big banks destroying digital dollars

On Jan. 1, 2026, China made its digital yuan interest-bearing. Fourteen days later, the U.S. Senate postponed a critical vote on whether digital dollars can pay interest, too. This American hesitation feints at unilateral financial disarmament. China is weaponizing its currency to attract global capital while the U.S. is captured by its capitalists. Wall Street Read More…

War Department Cuts Ties With Harvard University

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth today announced the War Department would sever its academic ties with Harvard University, because attendance at the school no longer meets the needs of the War Department or the military services.     “For too long, this department has sent our best and brightest officers to Harvard, hoping the university Read More…

Governor Gianforte announces members of Licensing Reform Task Force

Governor Greg Gianforte announced the membership of the Licensing Reform Task Force, fulfilling his commitment to streamline state government and make it easier for Montanans to enter the workforce. Established by executive order in January, the task force is charged with identifying and recommending the elimination of unnecessary or redundant professional and occupational licensing requirements, Read More…

Zinke secures over $27 million for Western Montana roads, bridges, and water projects

Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that President Trump has signed the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriation Bill into law, providing more than $27 million in funding for bridges, roads, and water infrastructure projects across six Western Montana counties. As a member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee, Zinke Read More…

Corey Mock Appointed to NASCIO Executive Committee

Corey Mock, Chief Information Officer for the State of North Dakota, has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). Mock will serve as an Executive Committee Director, completing the unexpired term of Laura Clark, former CIO for the State of Michigan. The term runs through 2026, Read More…

Department of War Launches LYNX Platform to Expand Business Participation in Defense Markets

The Department of War (DoW) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) today announced the launch of LYNX, a new digital platform designed to help businesses enter, navigate, and compete more effectively in defense markets by improving supplier readiness and visibility across the defense industrial base. Registration for the platform is now open at https://www.lynxconnect.io. Businesses Read More…

War Department Invites 25 Vendors to Compete in Phase I of Drone Dominance Program

The War Department announced today that 25 vendors have been selected to compete in Phase I of the Drone Dominance Program (DDP), a sweeping acquisition reform initiative aimed at rapidly fielding low-cost, unmanned one-way attack drones at scale to strengthen America’s Arsenal of Freedom. The program reflects one of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s core Read More…

Gov. Rhoden Signs Six Bills Into Law

Governor Larry Rhoden has signed six bills into law, advancing legislation that addresses ballot transparency, administrative rulemaking, education policy, and state regulatory updates. The bills signed include: SB 5, which requires disclosure of whether a ballot question was proposed through a citizen initiative or by the Legislature; SB 56, which requires state agencies promulgating permanent Read More…

Treasury Convenes Financial Literacy Commission Meeting on Implementation of Trump Accounts

The U.S. Department of the Treasury this week convened a public meeting of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) focused on implementation and outreach for Trump Accounts, a new initiative aimed at expanding financial literacy and long-term wealth building for American children. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent chaired the meeting and delivered Read More…

President Trump Launches TrumpRx.gov

President Donald J. Trump officially launched TrumpRx.gov, a new federal platform designed to provide Americans with direct access to dramatically lower prices on dozens of high-cost, brand-name prescription drugs. The platform is built on landmark Most-Favored-Nation pricing agreements negotiated with leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, aligning U.S. drug prices with the lowest paid in other developed nations. Read More…

DEQ, Montana Resources finalize consent order on August water incident in Butte

he Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced Friday, Feb. 6, that it has signed an administrative consent order with Montana Resources (MR) to resolve a water backflow incident that occurred in Butte last summer. The agreement concludes DEQ’s enforcement investigation into the event. The consent order details actions Montana Resources has taken since the Read More…

Sheehy secures $32 million for Montana in latest federal funding package

Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Wyo.) announced that Montana will receive $32 million in the latest federal funding package, signed into law by President Trump. The funds are earmarked for critical infrastructure projects, health care initiatives, and community development across the state. “I’m proud to deliver on these commonsense investments to upgrade critical infrastructure, increase access to Read More…

Sheehy introduces bipartisan wildfire and forest management bill

Senator Sheehy (R-MT) joined Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) in introducing the Carbon Resource Innovation Act, a bipartisan bill designed to expand the 45Q carbon capture tax credit to include innovative technologies that capture carbon in solid or liquid forms. Supporters say the legislation will incentivize responsible forest management, reduce wildfire risk, and create economic opportunities Read More…

Wyoming Guard graduates Soldiers from 13R Advanced Leader Course at 213th RTI

The Wyoming Army National Guard graduated Soldiers from the Field Artillery Weapons Locating Radar 13R Advanced Leader Course during a ceremony Jan. 30, 2026, at the 213th Regional Training Institute. Conducted Jan. 6–30, the course prepared noncommissioned officers to serve as weapons locating radar section chiefs, combining advanced technical training with leadership development focused on Read More…

Commissioner Brown announces preliminary hows slight decline in Marketplace enrollment

Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown announced that preliminary federal data indicates a slight decline in enrollment in Montana’s Health Insurance Marketplace for the 2026 coverage year. According to the early figures released by federal officials, overall Marketplace participation dipped modestly compared to the prior enrollment period. Brown emphasized that Read More…

Armstrong launches statewide soil health and habitat initiative

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has rolled out a new statewide effort aimed at improving soil health and expanding wildlife habitat across North Dakota’s rural landscape, announcing the Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program at a Capitol press conference. The voluntary, working-lands program is designed to help farmers strengthen cropland productivity and resilience by establishing perennial Read More…

Space Forces Southern Officially Activated During Ceremony in Arizona

The Space Force and U.S. Southern Command officially marked the activation of U.S. Space Forces Southern during a ceremony yesterday at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, formalizing the command’s role in integrating space capabilities across the Western Hemisphere. Although the command became operationally effective Dec. 1, 2025, the ceremony formally recognized the activation with the Read More…

ABA can’t end anti-white scholarship discrimination lawsuit

The American Bar Association can’t escape a lawsuit accusing the group, tasked with setting national ethical and professional standards for lawyers and judges, of discriminating against white law school students in doling out certain scholarships. In the ruling, U.S. District Judge Joan B. Gotschall said the lawsuit could continue because the plaintiffs had done enough Read More…

Border Czar Homan Highlights Ongoing Immigration Enforcement Efforts

White House Border Czar Tom Homan held a press conference in Minneapolis to update the public on ongoing immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, emphasizing the removal of dangerous criminal aliens and reaffirming the Trump administration’s commitment to public safety. “These targeted operations continue to remove the worst of the worst illegal alien killers, rapists, gang Read More…

Zinke Secures Over $8 Million for Western Montana

Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that President Trump has signed H.R. 6938, the 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, which includes more than $8 million in federal funding for critical water infrastructure and law enforcement projects across Western Montana. “These projects come directly from county commissioners Read More…

Sen. Daines Highlights Tribal Public Safety Needs

U.S. Senator Steve Daines called for increased public safety resources for Montana tribes and commended tribal efforts to protect youth and families during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing featuring Harlem Councilwoman Joan Johnson. Daines emphasized the Trump administration’s support for Indian Country, including enhanced law enforcement presence and the opening of a new FBI Read More…

Commerce Awards $600,000 in Grants to 11 Montana Main Street Communities

leven Montana communities will share $600,000 in grant funding through the Montana Main Street (MMS) Program to support revitalization projects aimed at strengthening downtowns and local businesses. “The MMS Program focuses on empowering communities to reinvigorate downtowns through locally led planning and implementation projects,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “Competitive grant funding and additional resources Read More…

Gov. Gianforte, Lt. Gov. Juras Honor Broadcasting Pioneer Norma Smith with Spirit of Montana Award

Governor Greg Gianforte and Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras presented Norma Smith with the Spirit of Montana Award in a ceremony at the Great Falls Rescue Mission, recognizing her decades-long contributions to Montana’s communities and her trailblazing career in broadcast journalism. “Service, resilience, and community are at the heart of who we are as Montanans,” Governor Read More…

Montana Unemployment Holds at 3.4%

Montana’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.4 percent in December, extending the state’s streak of over four consecutive years with unemployment at or below that level, according to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. The state’s jobless rate remains well below the national average of 4.4 percent, keeping Montana among the top ten states Read More…

Kootenai County Woman Sentenced for Medicaid Fraud

Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced that Tracy Hofius, 49, was sentenced on January 21, 2026, for Public Assistance Provider Fraud stemming from her time as Executive Director of the North Star Child Development Center, a non-profit serving Idaho Medicaid participants with developmental disabilities. Public Assistance Provider Fraud is a felony that carries a potential sentence Read More…