All posts by Big Sky Headlines

Trial set for Senate candidate Downing on fish-and-game charges

BOZEMAN -Republican U.S. Senate candidate Troy Downing, charged multiple times for allegedly buying Montana resident hunting-and-fishing licenses when he was a non-resident, is going to trial – two weeks before his contested primary election. At a hearing Wednesday in Bozeman, Justice of the Peace Bryan Adams scheduled Downing’s trial for three days, from May 23-25. Read More…

North Dakota’s Rep. Cramer weighing ‘snowball of encouragement’ to run for Senate

Washington (CNN)North Dakota’s Rep. Kevin Cramer said Tuesday he hasn’t made up his mind about whether he’ll challenge Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp in this year’s midterm elections — but will decide by “the end of the weekend.” “There’s certainly a growing snowball of encouragement coming out of the state,” Cramer told reporters on Tuesday evening Read More…

BNSF Plans $135 Million Capital Program in Montana for 2018

WHITEFISH, Mont.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) today announced that its 2018 capital expenditure program in Montana will be approximately $135 million. This year’s plan in Montana remains focused on maintenance projects to ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable rail network. The largest component of this year’s capital plan in the state will Read More…

Rebranding the University of Montana

An Illinois kid named Doug Betters made his way, serendipitously, to the University of Montana for the first time more than 40 years ago as a highly touted football defensive lineman. Since then, Betters has ridden life’s roller coaster with grace, from the heights of sports stardom, including the 1983 NFL Defensive Player of the Read More…

City of Bozeman lends $1.7M for sports complex

BOZEMAN, Mont. — The city of Bozeman will loan close to $1.7 million to the Bozeman Sports Park Foundation. The loan will be used to install artificial turf fields at the Bozeman Sports Park. The decision was made at Monday night’s city commission meeting. Construction on the park started last year. Total cost for the Read More…

Board of Public Education to review Johnson resignation

The Great Falls Public School Board accepted the resignation of former Great Falls High School teacher Levi Johnson during Monday night’s meeting. Johnson, who resigned in late January, is alleged to have had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. The School Board voted unanimously to accept Johnson’s resignation in lieu of termination. The Read More…

Montana’s election chief talks with high school students about voting

BILLINGS – Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton stopped by Billings West High School Thursday, to talk to students about the importance of getting involved. Stapleton spent over an hour with senior students at the high school answering questions. From social media to Indian Reservations and health care, Stapleton’s message to students was the importance Read More…

Gianforte talks workforce development and tax reform during Helena visit

U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte visited a job training facility in Helena on Friday to talk about workforce development and tax reform. Gianforte toured the Montana Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center supported by local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association. The center offers an apprenticeship program that Read More…

Montana State University sets 10th spring enrollment record in a row

BOZEMAN – Montana State University announced its spring headcount this week: 15,496 students, a record, and one that marks 10 straight years of spring enrollment growth. This spring’s number is up almost 300 students compared to the same time last year, according to Tony Campeau, the university’s registrar. University leaders credited the growth chiefly to Read More…

State employee quits over ICE policy

A Montana Department of Labor employee announced on Wednesday that he was quitting in protest of officials who “hunt down” undocumented workers. In a series of tweets, Jordon Dyrdahl-Roberts said he put in his notice at the department because he’d been asked to help prepare information for ICE officials to use in finding undocumented workers. Read More…

Montana’s elections chief talks with Billings high school students about voting

BILLINGS – Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton stopped by Billings West High School Thursday, to talk to students about the importance of getting involved. Stapleton spent over an hour with senior students at the high school answering questions. From social media to Indian Reservations and health care, Stapleton’s message to students was the importance Read More…

Rasmussen: Trump’s Approval Surpasses Obama on Same Date

President Donald Trump’s approval rating is now higher than former President Barack Obama’s on the same date of his first term, Rasmussen Reports daily tracking data shows. In its presidential daily tracking poll released Thursday, the Rasmussen Reports showed Trump’s approval at 48 percent, statistically tied with his disapproval rating of 50 percent. READ THE Read More…

Lange’s Rise, and Fall

A little more than decade ago, Michael Lange was a rising political star in Montana. He was the outspoken Republican House majority leader during a state Legislature marked by two parties bickering over how best to divvy out a state budget surplus to its constituents. It was a good problem to have, especially when compared Read More…

Blockchain group opens Cheyenne office

CHEYENNE – Canadian blockchain company BlockCrushr Labs opened its first Wyoming office last week in Cheyenne, arriving before the state Legislature considers changes that would encourage more such businesses to operate in the state. BlockCrushr Labs CEO Scott Burke announced another corporate branch housed on Cheyenne’s Second Floor at The Paramount on Wednesday. Company leaders Read More…

Montana’s Entire Delegation Supports Community Health Centers

Montana’s entire congressional delegation has endorsed the continuation of funding for Community Health Centers across the country, and specifically across Montana. At a press conference in front of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Senator Steve Daines said the wholeheartedly supports the funding, flanked by fellow Senator Jon Tester and Representative Greg Gianforte. Read More…

MT County Commissioner Facing Embezzlement, Official Misconduct Charges

Granite County Commissioner Scott Adler has been summoned to a court appearance this month on one charge of Official Misconduct and one charge of Theft by Embezzlement after the Department of Criminal Investigation looked into accusations that Adler had used county equipment and employees to install recycled asphalt on his personal driveway. In court filings, Read More…