All posts by Big Sky Headlines

Retailers Scramble as U.S. Penny Phase-Out Forces Price Rounding

Now that the United States has officially stopped making pennies, a nationwide scramble is underway among gas stations, fast-food chains, and major retailers to adjust prices and handle cash transactions — a shift that could quietly erode profits for many high-volume businesses. The transition follows President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this year to halt production Read More…

Death threats against ICE officers up by 8,000%, DHS says

(The Center Square) – Death threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are up by 8,000% compared to the same timeframe last year, the Department of Homeland Security said on Friday. Assaults against ICE officers remain at a 1,000% increase, The Center Square first reported. Targeted removal efforts prioritizing arresting violent offenders are ongoing as Read More…

Bitcoin Heads for First October Loss Since 2018, Snapping Seven-Year Winning Streak

Bitcoin was on track Friday to post its first October loss in seven years, breaking a streak that had given the month a “lucky” reputation among cryptocurrency traders. The world’s largest digital currency is set to fall nearly 5% for the month, trading around $66,800 Friday afternoon, as investors pulled back from risk assets amid Read More…

Sheehy Launches Bipartisan Senate Stewardship Caucus

Senator Sheehy (R-Mont.) joined forces with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) this week to launch the Senate Stewardship Caucus, a bipartisan effort focused on protecting public lands, promoting responsible land management, and supporting economic growth in rural communities. The announcement was made at an event hosted by Nature is Nonpartisan, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering bipartisan Read More…

Congress must stop the CCP from controlling our food supply

From unleashing the coronavirus, to controlling the social media app TikTok, or evading U.S. sanctions, Beijing has repeatedly attempted to exploit the American people. In recent years, communist leaders have looked to a dangerous new form of leverage against U.S. citizens – gaining control of our domestic agricultural and food supply chains. There is no doubt that Read More…

Montana manufacturing outpaces most other sectors, generating $2 billion in wages

Montana’s manufacturing sector remains a cornerstone of the state’s economy, according to three reports on the state of manufacturing recently released by the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center at Montana State University and authored by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. The manufacturing sector generated more than $2 billion in Read More…

Hilltop Bank to Acquire Cheyenne State Bank

Hilltop Bank announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire Cheyenne State Bank, marking a significant expansion of its banking footprint in Wyoming. Under the terms of the agreement, Hilltop Bank will integrate Cheyenne State Bank’s operations, employees, and branch network, aiming to provide enhanced banking services to both retail and commercial customers Read More…

Dakota Foundry Named One of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses by U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Dakota Foundry, a vertically integrated grey and ductile iron foundry, has been named one of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce “CO—100 Top 100 Small Businesses in America”, a national recognition that highlights the company’s innovation, craftsmanship, and impact on American manufacturing. The CO—100 designation honors small businesses demonstrating exceptional innovation and influence across the country. Read More…

Montana DOJ, Billings Police Warn of Carfentanil Surge in Yellowstone County

The Montana Department of Justice (MTDOJ) and Billings Police Department (BPD) are alerting residents of Yellowstone County about an increased presence of the deadly synthetic opioid carfentanil. The warning follows a significant seizure by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which confiscated 5,300 pills suspected of being trafficked into Montana Read More…

Montana State University receives grant to support nursing graduates in rural health care systems

Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing and the Montana State University Alumni Foundation recently received a Blue Impact Grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana. The $43,685 grant, awarded in August, will help the nursing college collaborate with clinical agencies in rural areas to develop a post-graduate transition-to-practice program Read More…

WYDOT Receives NEVI Plan Approval

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s (WYDOT) National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) plan, certifying that the state’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) are fully built out and clearing the way for NEVI funding to be spent on non-interstate highways. Wyoming becomes the third state to achieve full build-out status, a Read More…

Virginia Attorney General Race Comes Down to the Wire Ahead of Election Day

As Virginians head to the polls in the 2025 Attorney General election, the race between incumbent Republican Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones has tightened, drawing national attention and raising the stakes for conservatives across the state. For conservatives, the office of Attorney General is more than a political prize—it’s a frontline in the Read More…

Fed Cuts Rates Again, But Powell Warns the Easing Cycle May Be Near Its End

The Federal Reserve delivered a widely anticipated quarter-point rate cut this week, lowering its benchmark federal funds rate to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%, its second reduction of the year. But despite the move, Chair Jerome Powell sent a clear message to markets: don’t expect a rapid march toward lower borrowing costs. The decision Read More…

Nvidia’s Q3 2025 Earnings Report: Anticipating Continued Growth Amid AI Demand

Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) is preparing to release its third-quarter 2025 earnings report on Wednesday, November 19, after the market closes, with investors and analysts closely watching for insights into the company’s continued growth in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Analysts are forecasting earnings per share (EPS) of $1.24, up from $0.81 in the same quarter Read More…

Montana Shakespeare in the Schools hits the road this fall

Watching William Shakespeare’s plays come to life is a bit like walking into a dark room. The longer someone is immersed, the more everything comes into focus. Montana Shakespeare in the Schools, a branch of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and an outreach program of Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture, shares this Read More…

Missoula Artist Creates UM’s Latest Native Griz Design

As an Indigenous artist, Kendallynn Charging has admired the Native Griz designs created the past three years for the University of Montana’s Nike N7-inspired campaign, which honors Native culture and heritage in Montana. When the University asked for applications from Indigenous artists this spring for its fourth version of the Native Griz design, Charging was Read More…

House Oversight Committee refers Biden ‘cover-up’ to DOJ for investigation

(The Center Square) – The U.S. House Oversight Committee released its report on the investigation into former President Joe Biden’s cognitive health, resulting in referrals to the Justice Department and the D.C. Board of Medicine, citing multiple cover-ups of Biden’s cognitive decline. The report, released Tuesday morning, claims that the former president’s “inner circle” gaslit Read More…

Montana Agritourism Conference set for Nov. 20-21 at Montana State

The second annual Montana Agritourism Conference will be held at Montana State University next month on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 20-21. The event will be hosted by the Montana Agritourism Association, which was established last year through collaboration between MSU’s Department of Agricultural and Technology Education, the Montana Department of Agriculture and Western Sustainable Agriculture, Read More…

Senate President, State Superintendent Announce Legislation to End “Woke” Teacher Conferences

Senate President Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen announced Monday a new legislative effort aimed at ending the practice of Montana teachers receiving educational credit for attending conferences that they say promote “extreme leftist ideology” and “classroom indoctrination.” The announcement follows reports about the Montana Federation of Public Employees’ (MFPE) Read More…

UM Awarded $1.2M Grant to Launch Rural Youth Behavioral Health Career Pathways

The University of Montana’s has been awarded a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration through its Rural Communities Opioid Response Program–Pathways initiative. The funding for UM’s Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development will support youth behavioral health programs and career pathways in rural Montana, addressing urgent needs in both Read More…

Daines, Sheehy Applaud Senate Confirmation of William Mercer as Federal Judge for Montana

U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy released a joint statement praising the Senate’s confirmation of William Mercer to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Montana. “We congratulate William Mercer on his long-awaited confirmation to serve as U.S. District Judge for Montana,” the senators said. “Bill will have a lasting impact on Read More…

Sheehy Hosts Common Ground Summit to Address Challenges in Agriculture

Senator Sheehy hosted a Common Ground Summit in partnership with the Livestock Marketing Association to address current challenges facing American agriculture, recent developments in the beef industry, and strategies to ensure American producers remain central to agricultural policy. Following the event, Sheehy emphasized the importance of supporting domestic ranchers while protecting national food security. “Lowering Read More…

Angel Match Program Invests $460,000 in Ag Tech and Housing Startups in Q3

The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced that three companies received a combined $460,000 in investments through the North Dakota Development Fund Inc.’s Angel Match Program (AMP) during the third quarter of 2025. AMP supports early-stage, high-growth North Dakota businesses by matching private angel investments with direct equity or convertible note funding. The program is Read More…

Attorney General Jackley Joins Multistate Coalition Supporting Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined a 14-state coalition of Attorneys General supporting a petition aimed at strengthening the integrity of federal elections. The coalition submitted a letter backing the American First Legal Foundation’s petition to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The petition calls on the EAC to require documentary proof of Read More…

MHP Operation in Butte Leads to Major Drug Seizures, 34 Arrests

A weeklong interdiction operation led by the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) in Butte resulted in multiple drug seizures and arrests as law enforcement worked to curb criminal activity and keep illegal narcotics out of Montana communities. From October 7–14, MHP troopers partnered with the United States Border Patrol and the Air National Guard Counterdrug Aviation Read More…

Gianforte Highlights Montana–Kumamoto Partnership During Japan Trade Mission

Concluding his trade mission to Japan, Governor Greg Gianforte this week celebrated more than four decades of partnership between Montana and Kumamoto Prefecture, emphasizing the enduring cultural, educational, and economic ties that have defined the sister-state relationship since its founding in 1982. Gianforte’s visit marks the first time in fifteen years that a Montana governor Read More…

Superintendent Hedalen Directs Montana School Districts to Comply with State and Federal Laws

Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen has issued a directive to all Montana school districts, reminding them of their legal obligations to comply with state and federal laws amid rising concerns over ideological activism in public education. In a formal letter sent this week, Hedalen reinforced that adherence to these laws is a condition for Read More…

Gianforte Appoints Cunningham, Zink as Thirteenth Judicial District Judges

Governor Greg Gianforte on Friday announced the appointment of Seth Cunningham and Edward Zink to serve as district court judges in the Thirteenth Judicial District, which covers Yellowstone County. “As accomplished attorneys with careers distinguished by their dedication to public service, Seth and Edward will continue the fair, consistent, and objective application of the law,” Read More…

Bring back civility, decorum, character to colleges

Hundreds of thousands of college students returned to campus last month. Yet the protests and violence that plagued our universities in the spring have not disappeared. Instead, the fall semester has also started down a dark path: Leading conservative voice Charlie Kirk was murdered in front of 3,000 people at Utah Valley University. In the wake of his assassination, universities have Read More…

Poll: Americans support Antifa terror designation

(The Center Square) – More American voters support President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Antifa a terror organization than those who don’t, according to new polling. The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll shows 49% of American voters support the designation compared to 30% who oppose the move, while 21% remain unsure. Overwhelmingly, Republicans support the designation with Read More…

Netflix Prepares to Report Q3 Earnings as Investors Focus on Growth and Ad Revenue

Netflix is set to release its third-quarter 2025 earnings report on Tuesday, October 21, a closely watched event for investors looking to gauge the streaming giant’s growth trajectory, profitability, and performance in international markets. The company enters the report after a strong second quarter, when it posted $7.19 per share on revenue of $11.08 billion, modestly Read More…