All posts by Big Sky Headlines

Steve Scheel Honored with North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award

Steve D. Scheel, the board chairman emeritus of SCHEELS, has been named the 50th recipient of North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest honor for its citizens. Gov. Doug Burgum presented the award today, celebrating Scheel’s achievements in building SCHEELS into a leading retail brand known for its exceptional customer service, leadership, Read More…

Trevor Sparrow Appointed as Idaho’s First Health and Social Services Ombudsman

Governor Brad Little announced the appointment of Trevor Sparrow as Idaho’s inaugural Health and Social Services Ombudsman, a position established under Senate Bill 1380 earlier this year. The new role aims to enhance oversight and responsiveness within the state’s child welfare system, ensuring that services provided to foster children, those under protective supervision, and residents Read More…

Two Hunters Found Dead After Search South of Laurel

Two hunters who went missing south of Laurel on Wednesday were found dead on Thursday. The men were identified as Ray Bernard Wells, 71, of Park City, and James Rheinhart Horton, 71, of Laurel, according to Yellowstone County Deputy Coroner Rich Hoffman. The hunters had departed from Laurel on Wednesday morning to hunt on private Read More…

Eco-Terrorism Ties Resurface as Biden Official Takes Role at Environmental Group

Tracy Stone-Manning, a senior official in President Joe Biden’s administration who spearheaded its aggressive climate agenda, has been named the next president of The Wilderness Society, a prominent environmental organization based in Washington, D.C. Stone-Manning’s appointment will take effect in February, the group announced Tuesday. Stone-Manning’s tenure as Director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Read More…

Senator Daines Condemns Biden Administration’s Decision to Halt Montana Coal Leasing

U.S. Senator Steve Daines criticized the Biden administration’s recent decision to prohibit new coal leasing in Montana’s Powder River Basin, following the publication of the Miles City Resource Management Plan (RMP) Record of Decision. The move effectively designates 1,745,040 acres of federally managed land in the Miles City Field Office area as unavailable for coal Read More…

Federal Judge Reverses Semi-Retirement Decision After Trump’s

For the second time since Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s election, a federal judge has reversed a decision to take senior status, citing the apparent lapse of time for a Democratic president to appoint a successor. U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn, appointed by Democratic former President Barack Obama in Asheville, North Carolina, had previously announced in Read More…

Kila Man Sentenced to 100 Years for Martin City Bar Murder

Kila resident Del Orrin Crawford, 42, has been sentenced to 100 years in the Montana State Prison for the fatal shooting of a woman during a 2022 argument outside a Martin City bar, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced. Crawford was convicted in July 2024 on charges of deliberate homicide, attempted deliberate homicide, assault with Read More…

Governor Gianforte Supports Helena Food Drive Ahead of Thanksgiving

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday afternoon visited the new Helena Food Share facility to support the organizations’ food drive ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. “We have so much to be grateful for as Montanans,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This Thanksgiving week, I encourage Montanans to give what they can, including the gift of their Read More…

FEMA under investigation over Trump supporter discrimination

(The Center Square) – House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has opened an investigation into the Federal Emergency Management Agency over reports that it discriminated against supporters of Donald Trump. Comer said whistleblower reports suggest anti-Trump discrimination is rampant and has been going on for years. “[O]n the condition of anonymity, a FEMA official Read More…

Putin Announces Continued Testing of Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile

President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Friday that Russia would continue testing its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile in combat, with a stockpile ready for use. His comments came one day after Russia launched the intermediate-range missile into Ukraine for the first time, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict. Putin stated that the missile’s first Read More…

Governor Brad Little Celebrates Completion of Idaho Water Agreement on “Idaho Water Day”

Governor Brad Little and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke joined farmers and water users today in Idaho Falls and Twin Falls to celebrate “Idaho Water Day,” marking the completion of a new water agreement after months of negotiations. The event highlighted the successful collaboration between farmers, water users, and state officials to secure Idaho’s water future. Read More…

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Godfread to Lead National Association of Insurance Commissioners

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread will serve as the president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for 2025, following his role as president-elect in 2024. As NAIC president, Godfread will lead the nation’s chief insurance regulators across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. His leadership will focus Read More…

NI Holdings Appoints Seth C. Daggett as CEO

NI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NODK) announced today that Seth C. Daggett will take on the role of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 1, 2024. Daggett, who has over 20 years of industry experience, most recently served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Treasurer. He succeeds Cindy L. Launer, who had Read More…

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley Applauds Trump’s Nominee for Attorney General, Pam Bondi

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has expressed strong support for President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as the next U.S. Attorney General. “I served with, and was impressed by, Pam as Florida’s Attorney General,” Jackley said in a statement. “She is an experienced prosecutor who will strengthen the relationship Read More…

Senator Steve Daines Secures Passage of Key Legislation Addressing Montana Jobs, Quantum Research, and Housing Challenges

  U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) announced today that three of his key legislative priorities have successfully passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. These bills, which focus on preserving Montana jobs, advancing quantum research, and tackling housing challenges in federal land management agencies, are poised for further legislative progress. The first bill, introduced Read More…

Micron Technology Announces Fiscal Q1 Earnings Conference Call for December 18, 2024

Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU) has announced that it will hold its fiscal first-quarter earnings conference call on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time. The call will be webcast live and can be accessed via the company’s Investor Relations website at http://investors.micron.com/. A replay of the presentation will be available on the Read More…

Idaho Army National Guard Welcomes 10 New Honorary Unit Commanders

The Idaho Army National Guard inducted 10 new honorary unit commanders during a ceremony on Friday, continuing its tradition of fostering strong ties with the community. These honorary commanders, selected from local business, education, and civic leaders, will gain a deeper understanding of the Guard’s mission, policies, and programs. “Our Honorary Unit Commander Program is Read More…

Museum of the Rockies Hosts Café Naming Contest

The Museum of the Rockies (MOR) is inviting the public to participate in a contest to name its new café, set to open in May 2025. The “Name the New Museum Café” contest, which runs from November 20 to December 20, offers an exciting opportunity for community members to leave their mark on the museum’s Read More…

Montana Department of Commerce Awards $1.4 Million to Boost Rural Emergency Services

he Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 26 rural safety agencies will receive more than $1.4 million in grant funding to enhance emergency service capabilities in areas experiencing increased tourism. The funding, allocated through the Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Grant Program (METAP), aims to strengthen public safety across rural communities. “Emergency services are critical Read More…

Montana-Based Glacier Bank Declares 159th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend

Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: GBCI), the parent company of Montana’s Glacier Bank, announced on November 20, 2024, that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share. This marks the company’s 159th consecutive quarterly dividend and highlights its impressive track record of 49 dividend increases since its founding. The dividend will be Read More…

Senators Daines and King Lead Bipartisan Push to Protect and Restore Public Lands

In a bipartisan effort to safeguard and improve America’s public lands, Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Senator Angus King (I-Maine), joined by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), have introduced the “America the Beautiful Act.” This landmark legislation seeks to reauthorize and enhance the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), Read More…

Montana State University to Celebrate Faculty Authors

The College of Letters and Science at Montana State University will honor six faculty authors who have recently published books during a special reception on Thursday, Dec. 5. The event, free and open to the public, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Alumni Foundation’s Great Room at 1501 S. 11th Ave. Read More…

Montana DEQ Expands Air Quality Monitoring with New Glasgow Station

In October, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) installed a new permanent air quality monitor in Glasgow, providing Valley County residents with expanded access to real-time air quality data. This installation is part of a broader initiative to enhance air quality monitoring across the state. The Glasgow monitor was funded through an EPA-administered award Read More…

Governor Opens Applications for District Court Judge Vacancy in Montana’s Seventh Judicial District

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has begun accepting applications and nominations to fill a district court judge vacancy in the Seventh Judicial District, which serves Dawson, Prairie, McCone, Richland, and Wibaux Counties. The vacancy was officially announced on November 18, 2024, following a notification from the chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court. Qualified attorneys in Read More…

Bridger Aerospace Reports Record Q3 Results and Raises 2024 Revenue Guidance

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the nation’s leading aerial firefighting companies, has announced record financial results for the third quarter of 2024, marking a strong performance driven by high demand for its Super Scooper fleet. As a result, the company has raised its revenue guidance for the year and narrowed Read More…

7k Metals Unveils Limited-Edition 1-Kilo Grand Canyon Silver Coin for Black Friday 2024

Idaho-based 7k Metals is set to make waves in the numismatic world with the launch of one of its largest and most innovative coins: the 1-kilo Grand Canyon silver coin. This impressive collector’s piece, part of the company’s Topography collection, will debut on Black Friday, November 29, 2024, with a limited minting of just 77 Read More…

Trump Shapes Second Administration

President-elect Donald Trump has begun appointing officials to top positions in his incoming administration, signaling a departure from the internal strife that marked his first term. This time, Trump is leaning heavily on loyalists to shape his government, even as some of his selections face the prospect of contentious Senate confirmation battles. Cabinet Appointments Treasury Read More…

Trump Nominates Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his pick to head the U.S. Department of Justice. Bondi, a longtime ally of Trump, has been selected for the high-profile role after Representative Matt Gaetz, who was initially chosen for the position, stepped aside. The nomination of Bondi, a well-known figure in Read More…