All posts by Big Sky Headlines

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…

Wall Street Closes Out Strong Week Despite Bank Jitters and Policy Uncertainty

U.S. stocks finished higher last week, capping the market’s best weekly performance in nearly two months as major indexes rebounded from early volatility and investors found renewed optimism in technology and easing trade tensions. The S&P 500 rose roughly 1.3% for the week, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite also advanced, helped Read More…

Annual Agricultural Economics Conference set for Nov. 7 in Bozeman

The Montana State University Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics and MSU Extension will host the annual Agricultural Economics Conference on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Bozeman Hilton Garden Inn, 2023 Commerce Way. The conference is part of the College of Agriculture’s annual Celebrate Ag week, which highlights and honors the state and university’s joint agricultural legacy and celebrates current students, alumni and Read More…

Montana State’s TechLink Center signs five-year agreement with Veterans Affairs

he TechLink Center at Montana State University recently secured a five-year partnership agreement to help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs move new technologies from its research centers to the commercial marketplace, a process known as tech transfer. Since 2018, TechLink’s role in establishing commercial partnerships for VA research interests has been renewed annually. This Read More…

Idaho Man Charged in Montana in Alleged Crypto Ponzi Scheme

The Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) and the Missoula County Attorney’s Office have charged an Idaho man with conspiracy to defraud investors, including elderly Montanans, through a scheme tied to cryptocurrency investments. According to charging documents, Shawn Cutting, an Idaho resident, along with two unidentified co-conspirators — one from Idaho and one from Read More…

Second Amendment Foundation Files Second Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of National Firearms Act

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) announced Wednesday the filing of a new lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act (NFA), seeking to eliminate registration requirements for certain firearms. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas under case number 2:25-cv-00223, the case — Jensen v. ATF — names the Read More…

Knudsen Leads 20-State Coalition Supporting Trump’s Response to Portland Riots

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a coalition of 20 states in backing President Donald Trump’s deployment of federal and National Guard forces to Portland, Oregon, in response to violent protests and threats against federal officers. The coalition filed an amicus brief Wednesday in the case State of Oregon and the City of Portland Read More…

Office of Public Defender Director Brett Schandelson to Step Down

The Montana Department of Administration announced Wednesday that Brett Schandelson, Director of the Office of Public Defender (OPD), will step down from his position effective November 19, 2025. Schandelson, who has served the agency for nearly eight years, began his tenure as Development and Operations Bureau Chief before being appointed Director in 2022. During his Read More…

Gianforte, Montana Chamber to Host Energy Summit in Bozeman

Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Chamber of Commerce will host the 2nd Annual Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit on Thursday, October 16, in Bozeman, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and energy experts to focus on the theme of unleashing American-made energy in Montana. “With rising demand on our energy grid, Montana must continue Read More…

Kurt Alme Confirmed as U.S. Attorney

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kurt Alme to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, returning the Great Falls native to a post he previously held from 2017 to 2020. A seasoned prosecutor and respected public servant, Alme brings decades of experience in both state and federal law enforcement. His confirmation drew strong Read More…

Federal Money Isn’t Free

“Dependency on the federal government is nothing to celebrate, it can come at a deep cost to taxpayers and our state’s sovereignty.” I repeat often the mantra that there are no free lunches in government. At the end of the day, all government spending must eventually be paid for by the taxpayer in the form Read More…

Big Banks Are Trying to Hold Your Data Hostage

The big banks are at it again. They enjoy tremendous market power over American consumers, and between government regulation and the shift to digital payments, it’s nearly impossible to function without a bank account. You can barely pay with cash for much of anything anymore. And checking accounts are notoriously sticky – anyone who has Read More…

Protect small businesses by halting unemployment benefits to striking workers

As many small businesses struggle to find and retain qualified workers, several states across the country have implemented government-run systems to pay unemployment to individuals who voluntarily walk off the job to go on strike. Unemployment benefits for striking workers create an incentive for employees to abandon their responsibilities without negative consequences like termination or Read More…

Montana Coal Board Awards $1.8 Million for Public Safety and Infrastructure Projects

The Montana Department of Commerce announced that more than $1.8 million in grant funding has been awarded to six Montana communities to support critical public safety and infrastructure projects in coal-impacted areas. The funding comes from the Montana Coal Board, which assists local governments and schools in addressing the impacts of coal development and energy Read More…

Governor Gianforte Praises $1.5 Million Expansion of Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Governor Greg Gianforte is celebrating a major investment to expand the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery, ensuring that Montana’s veterans and their families continue to have a lasting place of honor. “We have a solemn responsibility to honor and remember the veterans who have served our country and passed on,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With this Read More…

North Dakota Schools Chief Kirsten Baesler Confirmed as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education

North Dakota State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler was confirmed Friday by the U.S. Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education, a top leadership role overseeing federal policy for the nation’s K-12 schools. “I am honored, humbled, and incredibly excited to have received this Read More…

Vance calls for Jay Jones to withdraw from race after leaked texts

(The Center Square) – Vice President JD Vance is calling for Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones to withdraw from Virginia’s Nov. 4 election after private text messages leaked in which Jones talked about shooting former House Speaker Todd Gilbert. The messages, first reported by National Review, include Jones writing in 2022 that Gilbert would Read More…

Made by a Griz for Grizzlies: How a UM Alum Invented Bear Spray

Before bear spray, encounters between people and bears often ended in bullets. That changed when graduate student Carrie Hunt developed the life-saving deterrent at the University of Montana in the 1980s. Over 40 years later, bear spray is one of the most important tools for human-wildlife coexistence. https://bigskyheadlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MVD-office15.mp4 Hunt grew up in Chile, where she Read More…

Fitzpatrick wrong to protect liberal judges

In a recent op-ed, Rep. John Fitzpatrick rushed to defend Montana’s broken judicial election system dismissing conservative reforms as “malignant” threats to independence. But let’s cut through the spin: this is just another establishment hack protecting the system that keeps power in the hands of partisan liberals. Ironically, these “malignant” threats were support by Fitzpatrick’s Read More…

ICE arrests Iowa schools superintendent with criminal record, no work authorization

(The Center Square) – Iowa’s largest school district is holding an emergency meeting Saturday night after its superintendent was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Des Moines agents. ICE arrested Des Moines Public School Superintendent Ian Andre Roberts on Friday. A citizen of Guyana, Roberts has a criminal record and has been living in the Read More…

Eric Adams drops out of NYC mayoral race

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Energy will be returning to American taxpayers $13 billion in “unobligated wasteful spending” that was originally intended for former President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. In response, Larry Behrens from Power the Future told The Center Square that “by returning $13 billion, the Department of Energy under President Read More…

UM Accounting Students Win National Scholarships

Two University of Montana accounting students recently won national scholarships geared toward outstanding graduates considering careers in auditing. Ella Pheifer and Brandi Ashford each earned a $15,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. They were among a select group from across the country to receive this recognition for the 2025-26 academic year. Pheifer Read More…

Knudsen Launches Multi-State Investigation into Big Tech Renewable Energy Claims

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, joined by 15 other state attorneys general, announced Wednesday the launch of an investigation into major technology companies over what they allege are misleading claims about being powered entirely by renewable energy. In a letter sent to executives at Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon, Knudsen said the companies’ reliance on Read More…

Gianforte Signs Trade Agreement with Taiwan Flour Millers

Governor Greg Gianforte on Monday welcomed a delegation from the Taiwan Flour Millers Association (TFMA) to Montana for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that strengthens the state’s long-standing trade relationship with Taiwan. “For over forty years, Montana and Taiwan have enjoyed a truly remarkable friendship and trade relationship, built on a shared Read More…

Auditor’s Office Blocks $21.6 Million in Insurance Rate Hikes

Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, the Montana Auditor’s Office, also known as the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI), denied millions of dollars in proposed insurance rate increases, shielding tens of thousands of Montanans from higher premiums. During the 12-month period, the agency’s Insurance Rates Bureau reviewed and closed 3,551 insurance rate Read More…

Department of Energy returning $13B climate agenda funding to taxpayers

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Energy will be returning to American taxpayers $13 billion in “unobligated wasteful spending” that was originally intended for former President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. In response, Larry Behrens from Power the Future told The Center Square that “by returning $13 billion, the Department of Energy under President Read More…

Watchdog says Biden Education Department defied court order on Title IX enforcement

(The Center Square) – A watchdog group says the U.S. Department of Education ignored a federal court order on the Biden administration’s expansion of Title IX protections and is dragging its feet on a report about it. Empower Oversight said a whistleblower came forward showing the Department’s Office for Civil Rights continued to process complaints Read More…