The Montana Department of Commerce announced that the Colstrip Hospital District has been awarded $120,000 in grant funding to support the implementation of an electronic records management migration aimed at improving health care coordination and patient services. The funding was allocated through the Montana Coal Board, which provides impact grants to support communities affected by Read More…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has announced a new low-interest loan program aimed at reducing energy costs and improving efficiency in existing multifamily affordable housing across the state. The Multifamily Energy Retrofit Loan program, known as MERL, will provide financing to owners of multifamily housing facilities seeking to make energy efficiency upgrades. The program Read More…
The Montana Department of Justice is seeking applications to fill a vacancy on the Tow Truck Complaint Resolution Committee, representing the Montana Highway Patrol. The committee reviews and resolves complaints related to tow truck operations across the state. Members serve a three-year term. The six-member committee includes: Two representatives from the tow truck industry One Read More…
Montana’s unemployment rate increased to 3.3 percent in November, continuing a streak of more than four consecutive years with unemployment at or below 3.4 percent, state officials announced. The state’s jobless rate remained well below the national unemployment rate of 4.6 percent for November, leaving Montana about 1.3 percentage points lower than the U.S. average. Read More…
Montana State University alumna Alicia Crane won a 2025 National Area Health Education Center Organization Alumni/Advocate of the Year Award this winter to honor her efforts supporting rural health care in the Treasure State. The annual award recognizes individuals who demonstrate sustained, exceptional service in support of the AHEC mission. AHEC is an organization that receives funding from the U.S. Read More…
MoFi, a nonprofit community development financial institution serving Western states, has received an $85 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. The award comes as part of a record $10 billion allocation round that included 142 organizations nationwide. The New Markets Tax Read More…
Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon is facing a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment of emergency personnel stemming from a November traffic stop in Broadwater County, a case that has drawn added scrutiny because of her public comments and separate, pending ethics complaints. McKinnon, 66, was cited after a Broadwater County sheriff’s deputy alleged she Read More…
NorthWestern Energy Group (NASDAQ: NWE) is moving forward with plans to merge with Black Hills Corp., a deal that could reshape the regional utility landscape, while Wall Street analysts weigh in on the stock. JP Morgan analyst Aidan Kelly maintained a Neutral rating on NorthWestern Energy but raised the price target from $60 to $61, Read More…
An angler ice fishing for trout on Island Park Reservoir on January 3, 2026, unexpectedly caught a 5-inch Yellow Perch, a species that does not belong in the reservoir. The angler reported the catch immediately to the Citizens Against Poaching hotline. Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officers met the angler on the ice and confirmed Read More…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is inviting public input on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed North Plains Connector Project. The comment period is open now through February 23, 2026. The Draft EIS evaluates potential environmental impacts associated with the North Plains Connector, a proposed 525-kilovolt (kV) high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) Read More…
President Donald Trump on Friday announced a proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10% for one year, starting January 20. Trump did not provide details on how the policy would be implemented or how credit card companies would be required to comply with the cap. The announcement echoes a promise Trump made during Read More…
OpenAI and SoftBank Group Corp. are jointly investing $1 billion in SB Energy, the infrastructure company helping build out the United States’ next generation of artificial intelligence data centers. Under the agreement, OpenAI and SoftBank will each contribute $500 million to support SB Energy’s growth as a data center developer and operator, the companies announced Read More…
A growing field of Democrats is lining up to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke in Montana’s western U.S. House district, as the party looks to mount a competitive bid in a seat national analysts still rate as safely Republican. On Thursday, Ryan Busse, an author, climate activist and gun control advocate from Kansas, announced Read More…
House Speaker Johnson spoke yesterday at the kickoff of the House Republican policy summit, delivering a wide-ranging address that touched on the party’s legislative agenda, U.S. military action in Venezuela, Democratic opposition, and the sudden passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Republicans Leading on Tax Policy, Speaker Says Speaker Johnson emphasized Republican achievements on tax policy, Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Gov. Greg Gianforte on Tuesday recognized Human Trafficking Prevention Month by encouraging Montanans to learn the warning signs of human trafficking and report suspicious activity to help stop the crime. Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers—often part of organized criminal enterprises—exploit adults or children for Read More…
The White House announced Friday that the United States will begin withdrawing from a broad range of international organizations, conventions, and treaties deemed “contrary to the interests of the United States,” according to a presidential memorandum. The memorandum, issued to the heads of executive departments and agencies, follows Executive Order 14199, which directed a comprehensive Read More…
Berkshire Hathaway announced Friday that it has completed its $9.7 billion acquisition of OxyChem from Occidental Petroleum (OXY). OxyChem, a leading chemical manufacturer, will continue to be led by Wade Alleman, OxyChem’s president and chief executive officer, according to Berkshire Hathaway. https://bigskyheadlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MVD-office15.mp4 The acquisition expands Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio in the industrial and chemical sectors and Read More…
The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation is launching a new monthly webinar series aimed at expanding understanding of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and supporting workforce development across the state. The Apprenticeship Knowledge Series will cover a range of apprenticeship-related topics, offering education for employers, education partners, community stakeholders, and current apprenticeship sponsors. The Read More…
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced that the Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $48.9 million in loans and grants for projects across the state, supporting drinking water, wastewater, and infrastructure improvements. The funding includes $36.96 million in state loans, including $425,000 in principal forgiveness, for drinking water Read More…
The Montana 250th Commission has announced nearly $420,000 in grants to 32 organizations across the state to mark America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The $419,721 in funding will support projects that celebrate Montana’s culture and heritage while connecting communities to the nation’s semiquincentennial. Following a call for proposals in September, the Commission received 84 applications Read More…
An angler ice fishing for trout on Island Park Reservoir on January 3, 2026, unexpectedly caught a 5-inch Yellow Perch, a species that does not belong in the reservoir. The angler reported the catch immediately to the Citizens Against Poaching hotline. Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officers met the angler on the ice and confirmed Read More…
The Montana Department of Administration (DOA) announced a leadership change at the Office of Public Defender (OPD) today, naming Koan Mercer as the agency’s new director. Mercer will replace Brett Schandelson, who is stepping down after nearly eight years with the office. “Schandelson’s work during his time at OPD was highly impactful and effective,” DOA Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined Johnson Metal Works in Bozeman to celebrate the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities that prepare Montana students for high-demand, well-paying careers. “Apprenticeships open doors for Montanans to learn valuable skills, earn while they learn, and step directly into rewarding careers,” Gianforte said. “Thanks to employers like Johnson Metal Works, we are connecting Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen has appointed Anne Dormady as the new administrator of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), following the retirement of former administrator Joel Wendland. Dormady previously served as bureau chief for the Division of Criminal Investigation’s (DCI) Crime Information Bureau. “I am proud to appoint Anne to lead the Montana Law Enforcement Read More…
in recognition of National Radon Action Month, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is encouraging residents to test their homes for radon by offering discounted radon test kits throughout January. The kits, which typically cost between $12 and $40, are being made available at a reduced price to help Montanans assess radon levels in Read More…
Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown announced that thousands of Montana investors will receive more than $160,000 in restitution following enforcement actions against several national brokerage firms accused of charging unreasonable commissions on certain equity transactions. The cases involve small principal equity trades conducted between May 2020 and the end Read More…
Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown issued a statement following the Montana Supreme Court’s dismissal of a complaint filed against Attorney General Austin Knudsen, calling the decision a reaffirmation of constitutional principles and the separation of powers. In his statement, Brown said the court’s ruling confirmed that the complaint was Read More…
The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) has confirmed that an animal from a Gallatin County livestock herd within Montana’s Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) tested positive for brucellosis, marking the second detection of the disease in Montana livestock in 2025. State officials said the affected herd has been placed under quarantine and an epidemiological investigation is Read More…
North Dakota has been awarded $199 million in federal funding to support the first year of a new statewide Rural Health Transformation Program aimed at strengthening health care delivery in rural communities, Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced today. The funding, awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is part of a five-year initiative Read More…
Warren Buffett, one of the most influential investors in history, has retired as chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway, marking the end of a more than six-decade run that reshaped American business and investing. Buffett, 95, officially stepped down as CEO at the start of the year, handing day-to-day leadership of the Omaha-based conglomerate to Read More…
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon praised the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s finalized Greater Sage-Grouse Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), saying the decision affirms Wyoming’s authority over wildlife management and reflects years of collaborative work between the state and federal officials. Gordon received the Record of Decision (ROD) for the plan, which governs management of greater Read More…
(The Center Square) – Democratic lawmakers criticized President Donald Trump’s announcement of land strikes against Venezuela and leader Nicolas Maduro’s capture. In a post to social media, Trump announced the U.S. carried out a “large scale strike” against Venezuela, capturing Maduro and his wife. The two are in U.S. custody and charged with “narco-terrorism conspiracy, Read More…
(The Center Square) – As more is revealed about the potential daycare fraud within the Somali community in Washington state and the Department of Children, Youth & Families scrambles to respond, one large daycare provider is sharing his frustrations with The Center Square. On Monday, The Center Square visited several Somali-run home daycares in Federal Way, but Read More…
(The Center Square) – Following U.S. strikes against Venezuela resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Saturday the Maduros have been indicted in the Southern District of New York and will be tried on U.S. soil. In a social media post, Bondi confirmed Maduro and Read More…
The Montana Supreme Court has rejected a recommendation that Attorney General Austin Knudsen be temporarily suspended from office, ruling that the misconduct proceedings against him violated his due process rights. In a 149-page decision issued Wednesday, the court concluded a five-year legal dispute rooted in a broader separation-of-powers conflict between Montana’s legislative and judicial branches. Read More…
2025 was a historic year for Montana. Tim Sheehy, a former Navy Seal, joined me in the U.S. Senate, along with Troy Downing and Ryan Zinke in the U.S. House. Working together, we’ve made major strides advancing Montana priorities, from increasing our energy dominance, protecting our public lands, and supporting farmers, ranchers, veterans, and working Read More…
Wall Street finished the first full trading week of 2026 on a mixed note, with major U.S. indexes posting modest losses for the week as investors digested the end of the holiday trading lull and looked ahead to key economic data and corporate news. Stocks start the year with modest gains but weekly lossesThe Dow Read More…
When the Montana Supreme Court stripped identifying information from more than a thousand convicted sexual and violent offenders, including 90 classified as Tier 3 the highest risk to the public, it didn’t just rewrite our registry laws. It made a conscious decision to protect criminals at the expense of our communities. The court’s ruling in Read More…
The state of Montana has revoked the medical license of Dr. Thomas Weiner, the former director of St. Peter’s Health Cancer Treatment Center, following findings that he harmed patients through unnecessary treatments and violated professional standards of care. The Adjudication Panel of the Montana Board of Medical Examiners voted unanimously last week to revoke Weiner’s Read More…
The Wyoming Department of Transportation has launched an online, self-guided public meeting as part of its update to the Statewide Rail Plan, giving residents and stakeholders an opportunity to learn more about the process and provide feedback. The online meeting is open now and will remain available through Jan. 31, 2026, and can be accessed Read More…