All posts by Big Sky Headlines

Beware of politicians who want to ban things

What would you most like to see Mississippi’s elected lawmakers do during the current legislative session? Action to eliminate the reams of red tape holding our state back, maybe? Further tax cuts, perhaps? With so many other southern states moving ahead with school choice, you might wish that our lawmakers would do something similar. I Read More…

Attorneys general coalition ask Ninth Circuit to intervene in Mayorkas asylum case

(The Center Square) – Attorneys general from multiple states have petitioned the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to intervene in a lawsuit over a Department of Homeland Security asylum policy. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas created the policy through a federal rule, the “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways,” which codifies aspects of the Los Angeles Declaration of Read More…

Registration open for Montana State University STEAM Day on April 13

BOZEMAN — Registration is now open for Montana State University’s STEAM Day on Saturday, April 13. The daylong program offers girls in grades 6-8 creative, hands-on workshops to explore science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. MSU faculty and community members will teach workshops on topics such as astronomy, geology, robotics, health, engineering and microbiology. Read More…

Legal Challenge Targets Montana Law Requiring Gender and Racial Diversity on Boards and Committees

A recent federal lawsuit challenges a Montana law aimed at promoting gender and racial diversity on state boards and commissions. The lawsuit, filed by the national organization Do No Harm, focuses on the Montana Board of Medical Examiners. This board oversees the licensing and regulation of healthcare professionals in the state. According to the complaint, Read More…

Florida Republicans Urge Biden Administration for US Navy Assistance with Haiti threat

Florida Republicans are raising alarms about the escalating crisis in Haiti, prompting them to reach out urgently to the Biden administration for assistance. In a move reminiscent of “Save Our Shores” (SOS), Republican Representatives Matt Gaetz, Gus Biliarakis, Anna Paulina Luna, and Daniel Webster of Florida penned a letter to President Joe Biden, invoking a Read More…

Montana State chef to participate in regional culinary competition

BOZEMAN — A chef with Montana State University’s Culinary Services Division will participate in a regional challenge on Monday that recognizes expertise and skill among collegiate dining professionals. The National Association of College and University Food Services’ Culinary Challenge will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. March 25 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center Read More…

Supreme Court seems favorable to Biden administration over efforts to address social media content

The Supreme Court is currently deliberating a case that pits the Biden administration against Republican-led states, focusing on the government’s role in addressing controversial social media content related to topics such as COVID-19 and election security. The dispute centers on whether the federal government has the authority to influence social media platforms to moderate or Read More…

President of Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Neel Kashkari to Visit UM

MISSOULA – Neel Kashkari, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, will visit the University of Montana on Monday, April 8, to conduct a public townhall meeting. Kashkari, one of the nation’s leading monetary policymakers, oversees all operations of the bank and leads numerous initiatives that aim to improve the economic Read More…

Thousands of pounds of meth smuggled across border in vegetable shipments

(The Center Square) – Mexican cartels for decades have devised creative ways to smuggle narcotics and other contraband across the southern U.S., including using produce, law enforcement officials say. This month, in one week, thousands of pounds of meth were seized hidden in shipments of peppers, tomatillos and carrots. At the Otay Mesa, California, cargo Read More…

Montana Logging Industry Faces Uncertain Future

Pyramid Mountain Lumber officials have announced their intention to sell the mill rather than resorting to an auction, although no concrete plans have been finalized apart from the impending closure. The company’s decision to shutter operations has sent shockwaves through the lumber industry, with many individuals and stakeholders deeply impacted by the news. Dick Rossignol, Read More…

Poll shows who Republicans want as Trump’s VP running mate

(The Center Square) – Republican voters have suggestions for former President Donald Trump when he considers his running mate for vice president. The Center Square Voter’s Voice poll released this week asked voters this question: “Who should Donald Trump choose as his vice presidential candidate?” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis narrowly edged out the other potential candidates. Read More…

House Republicans’ advantage even thinner with Gallagher resignation

(The Center Square) – Republicans’ advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives will be only 217-213 after April 19, following Friday’s decision by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher to resign. The resignation means no more than one Republican can cross the aisle on party-line votes. Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District representative, just 31 when he first won Read More…

Wyoming SOS opposes Postal Service plan to move Casper’s mail processing to Billings

(The Center Square) – Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray wants the U.S. Postal Service to withdraw a proposal to move mail processing from Casper’s distribution center to Montana. The USPS would move processing operations from Casper to Billings is part of a broader plan to help save money, improve service, and retain employees. Gray also opposes the Read More…

Gianforte Campaign Raises $1.1 Million in Two Months

Governor Greg Gianforte has raised more than $1.1 million in the 60 days since he announced his bid for reelection on January 16 according to a release from his campaign. “With Governor Gianforte’s pro-family, pro-jobs, pro-business policies and his strong record of protecting our Montana way of life, Montanans are overwhelmingly supporting Governor Gianforte’s reelection, Read More…

Realtors group ends commission model; biggest ‘jolt’ in housing in 100 years

(The Center Square) – The National Association of REALTORS announced Friday an agreement where it will end the 6% commission that is routine in home sales. In the settlement with homeowners, the association will pay $418 million in damages and end litigation on the matter. Experts say that Americans pay $100 billion a year in Read More…

State report touts North Dakota employment outlook

(The Center Square) – Most major industries in North Dakota will add jobs over the next two years, according to a new report released by the state’s Labor Market Information Center. The state-level report looks at short-term projections through 2025. It predicted only three North Dakota industries would shrink in job numbers. The agriculture, forestry, Read More…

Senators concerned over growing agricultural trade deficit

(The Center Square) — U.S. agricultural trade exports declined by $17 billion in fiscal year 2023, raising concerns from U.S. senators about how the Biden administration will address the issue. The deficit is growing and will decline by another $8 billion in fiscal year 2023, the senators said in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Read More…

Willis stays on Trump case, Wade forced to resign

(The Center Square) – Embattled Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis on Friday stayed on the case involving former President Donald Trump and accepted the resignation of her lead investigator following a judge’s ruling that one of them had to step aside. Judge Scott McAfee, overseeing Trump’s election interference racketeering case, said Willis can remain on Read More…

Montana State business college helps students develop networking skills

BOZEMAN — This semester, Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship held its first career symposium, a casual event intended to help students become comfortable talking to potential employers and collaborators. About 300 students attended the event, which was held Feb. 12 in the Strand Union Building on the MSU campus. There, Read More…

Federal lawmakers call for permanent Daylight Saving Time

(The Center Square) – Some lawmakers are once again calling on their colleagues to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Ahead of the switch to Daylight Saving Time this weekend, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., highlighted the importance of the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. “We’re ‘springing forward’ but should have never Read More…

AG Knudsen announces another record-breaking year for fentanyl seizures

HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today an over 20,000 percent increase in fentanyl seizures by anti-drug forces in Montana since 2019. Additionally, over twice as much fentanyl was seized in 2023 compared to 2022, shattering previous records. In 2023, Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task forces seized a total of Read More…

Attorney General Knudsen files lawsuit against Biden EPA rule

HELENA — Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with 23 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Biden administration’s new air quality rule that would significantly impact state economies and raise energy costs for Montana manufacturers, utilities, and families. This is the 38th lawsuit Attorney General Knudsen has filed against the Biden administration. The Read More…

Montana State engineering students draw recognition at regional competition

BOZEMAN — A team of six Montana State University students from the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering drew recognition at a recent competition that pitted them against 1,400 other students from across the region. The undergraduate students, each majoring in construction engineering technology, were among 40 MSU students who competed in the Associated Schools of Read More…

Attorney General Knudsen demands answers from Wells Fargo for debanking practices

HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen led a coalition of 16 attorneys general in demanding answers from Wells Fargo Wednesday regarding the company’s debanking policies, which appear to extend the Biden administration’s woke agenda. In a letter to Wells Fargo’s Chief Executive Officer Charles Scharf, Attorney General Knudsen raised concerns with the bank’s decision Read More…