U.S. banking regulators on Friday approved Capital One’s $35.3 billion acquisition of Discover Financial Services, clearing the way for the creation of the nation’s eighth-largest bank by assets insured by the federal government. The merger, one of the largest in the financial sector in recent years, has drawn sharp criticism from consumer advocates and lawmakers Read More…
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, known for his outsized bets and outspoken commentary, has been a lightning rod in 2025, navigating a turbulent market landscape while wielding influence in both finance and politics. His Pershing Square Capital Management’s portfolio is down nearly 14% year-to-date, a rare stumble for the activist investor, yet his high-profile Read More…
Hank’s Reno Junction Travel Plaza sits at the busy intersection of Wyoming Highways 387 and 59, making it a strategic stop for travelers, truckers and coal miners working at the nearby North Antelope Rochelle Mine. When Peabody Energy announced Tuesday it planned to ramp up production at the mine, Hank Pridgeon — the namesake of Read More…
Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center is home to semi-arid scrubland, prairie grass, and conifer cover, all of which can be primed for fire during hot, dry conditions, especially when troops shoot round after round of heavy artillery at the camp’s vast impact area. Due to this heightened risk, the firefighters in the camp’s Army National Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) Colonel Kurt Sager visited the MHP Communications Center today to recognize the vital work of dispatchers in honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed from April 13 to 19. The dispatchers at the MHP Communications Center are trained in emergency medical dispatch and work around Read More…
NorthWestern Energy has reached key settlement agreements with several major stakeholders in its ongoing regulatory rate review for electric and natural gas services in Montana. The agreements, if approved by the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC), would result in modest increases in residential utility bills, helping to fund continued investment in safe and reliable energy Read More…
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., announced plans to appeal part of a recent U.S. federal court ruling in the Department of Justice’s antitrust case against the tech giant. The move follows a decision on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who found that Google had willfully acquired and maintained monopoly power in the Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy to officially cut the ribbon on Amazon’s new 50,000-square-foot delivery station in Belgrade. The state-of-the-art facility is part of Amazon’s continued expansion in Montana, representing a $27 million investment and creating dozens of jobs in Gallatin County. “Montana is open for business, and Amazon’s Read More…
Two bills aimed at laying the groundwork for a nuclear energy industry in Montana have passed the state legislature and are awaiting the governor’s signature. House Bill 623 would permit the establishment of nuclear waste storage facilities in the state. This measure aligns with national Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements, which mandate that nuclear power plants Read More…
While nine law firms have made deals to avoid President Donald Trump’s orders targeting them, the one that works for Wyoming’s largest federally recognized Indian tribe is continuing to fight the federal government in court. As of Tuesday, nine firms had settled with Trump and agreed to perform, collectively, nearly $1 billion worth of free work in causes Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Montana’s unemployment rate has remained at a low 2.7% for the month of March, marking the sixth consecutive month the state has kept its unemployment rate below 3%. This continues a streak of 45 months with Montana’s unemployment rate at or below 3.4%. “For six months, Montana’s unemployment rate has Read More…
The U.S. stock market endured another turbulent week, with major indexes grappling with persistent volatility driven by ongoing trade policy uncertainties, particularly surrounding President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite all posted losses, reflecting investor concerns over the economic fallout from escalating global trade tensions. The week Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s petition to the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) for a review of a Montana Supreme Court decision concerning parental rights in abortion cases has gained significant support. Five amicus briefs were filed urging SCOTUS to reverse a decision that, according to Knudsen, puts the health and safety of children at risk Read More…
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that more than $400,000 in grant funding has been awarded to three communities in coal-impacted areas to support essential public safety and development initiatives. The grants, allocated by the Montana Coal Board, will aid in infrastructure improvements, public safety enhancements, and community development in regions Read More…
University of Montana students interested in entrepreneurship and starting their own businesses have a space to gather and work together on their new ventures. Each Tuesday afternoon this spring semester students meet in UM’s Startup Studio, a room on the third floor of the University Center where students of all majors explore their business ideas Read More…
In a significant move aimed at preserving the integrity of local elections, the Montana Senate advanced House Bill 413 on Thursday, tightening voter residency requirements to ensure that only long-term residents influence county decisions. The measure, strongly supported by conservative lawmakers, seeks to maintain community values by guaranteeing that voters have a real, sustained stake Read More…
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER) announced Friday it has been awarded an exclusive-use contract by the State of Montana to provide wildfire detection and mapping services using a specially modified Daher Kodiak 100 aircraft. The contract follows a competitive bidding process and marks a major milestone in Bridger’s expansion of its aerial firefighting Read More…
SITKA Gear, a leader in high-performance hunting and outdoor apparel, announced a series of strategic changes to its sales team aimed at aligning talent with the company’s evolving business priorities. The adjustments include the addition of three new sales representatives and a significant territory expansion for a veteran team member, all designed to strengthen retail Read More…
Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: GBCI) announced Friday that it has received all necessary regulatory approvals for its planned acquisition of Bank of Idaho Holding Co. (OTCQX: BOID), clearing a major hurdle in the completion of the deal. The acquisition, which includes Bank of Idaho and its subsidiaries, is now scheduled to close on April 30, Read More…
A U.S. immigration judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration can move forward with its deportation case against Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and prominent pro-Palestinian activist who was arrested in New York City last month. Judge Jamee Comans of the LaSalle Immigration Court in Louisiana stated she did not have the authority Read More…
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has taken a preliminary step toward potentially reversing boardroom restrictions imposed on Chevron and Exxon Mobil as part of their recent major acquisitions, signaling a shift from policies enacted under the Biden administration. The restrictions, which were key conditions for approving the oil giants’ multi-billion-dollar mergers, barred specific executives from Read More…
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday the termination of $5.1 billion worth of Pentagon IT and consulting contracts, targeting major firms such as Accenture, Deloitte, and Booz Allen Hamilton. The move, he said, is aimed at eliminating “wasteful spending” and redirecting funds toward core defense priorities. In a Department of Defense memo, Hegseth ordered the Read More…
The U.S. Senate confirmed retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a 60-25 vote on Friday, officially filling the nation’s top military post nearly two months after President Donald Trump ousted the previous chairman. The confirmation vote came just before lawmakers departed Washington Read More…
Scholars from across the U.S. recently joined Montana State University faculty, students, staff and members of the public for a two-day symposium focusing on “The Future of Research in the Age of AI.” The event held March 27-28 was one of three major symposia in 2025 sponsored by the American Historical Association on topics pertaining Read More…
In a dramatic move to get ahead of looming U.S. tariffs, Apple has airlifted approximately 600 tons of iPhones—equivalent to around 1.5 million devices—from India to the United States, according to a report by Reuters. The unprecedented shipment is part of the tech giant’s effort to stabilize supply and avoid potential price hikes that could Read More…
A national organization recently named the University of Montana the No. 1 “Military Friendly” college in the United States. The ranking is for top “tier-1 research institutions.” The Military Friendly Schools list is compiled each year from data collected from 8,800 schools nationwide. Input is provided by student veterans and a Military Friendly survey by Read More…
Montana State University and local partners are on track to meet their goal of training 40 sexual assault nurse examiners in the first year of a new grant program aimed at increasing support for victims of sexual assault in Montana. The three-year, $1.5 million grant was awarded in July 2024 to MSU’s Mark and Robyn Read More…
In a powerful show of support for American energy, Governor Greg Gianforte joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House on Thursday to celebrate the signing of executive orders aimed at revitalizing the U.S. coal industry and unleashing American-made energy. The orders, which directly counter the energy policies of the Biden administration, are designed Read More…
Governor Kelly Armstrong and Lieutenant Governor Michelle Strinden participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Heart River Correctional Center (HRCC) in Mandan, marking a historic milestone in North Dakota’s prison system. The state’s first facility designed specifically for women will focus on rehabilitation, safety, and family reintegration. The 191,500-square-foot facility, scheduled to open in Read More…
Flathead County District Court Judge Dan Wilson, who narrowly lost his 2024 bid for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court, announced Wednesday that he will run again—this time for a different seat on the state’s highest court in the 2026 election. Wilson, who was edged out by Katherine Bidegaray in a closely contested race, Read More…
(The Center Square) – Billionaire Alex Meruelo is looking to use nearly $100 million in Reno city redevelopment funding for a new multi-use stadium at the University of Nevada, Reno. The public funds would come from a property tax cut, called Tax Increment Financing, which would take off a significant portion of Meruelo’s $1 billion Read More…
Montana has officially been named the best state in the nation for launching a new business, according to a new report highlighted by Governor Greg Gianforte on Friday. Topping the list compiled by Entrepreneur Media and Booking.com for Business, Montana scored highest among all 50 states in key metrics including the number of startups, startup Read More…
Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: GBCI) will release its first-quarter financial results after the market closes on April 24, 2025. A conference call to discuss the results will take place at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 25, 2025. Glacier Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of Glacier Bank and its subsidiaries, including Altabank (American Read More…
The Center Square) – The U.S. added 228,000 jobs in March, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Friday, nearly double what was forecast. Employment gains occurred in the health care, transportation, warehousing and retail trade industries, according to the Labor department. The overall gains come despite significant layoffs in the federal government under the Trump Read More…
A 20-year-old Kalispell man has been sentenced to 50 years at the Montana State Prison, with 10 years suspended, for the brutal killing of a homeless man in 2023, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced Friday. Kaleb Elijah Fleck pleaded guilty in February to one felony count of deliberate homicide in the death of Scott Read More…
A Missoula judge appointed by former Democratic Governor Steve Bullock has temporarily blocked a newly enacted law that protects women’s bathrooms and locker rooms from being accessed by biological males. District Court Judge Shane Vannatta, who openly identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community, issued a ruling Wednesday putting the law on hold just Read More…
Every few years, Congress discusses some form of spending limits. Usually, these go nowhere or are ignored or repealed a couple of years or so after passage. There is a similar rule for federal tax revenues. Unlike the spending rule, the revenue rule is always in effect. Regardless of what Congress and the president may Read More…
(The Center Square) – California did not materially comply with the requirements for seven of the 22 federal programs the state auditor examined, including “pervasive” noncompliance in its unemployment benefits program, which could put essential federal funding at risk. “This report concludes that the State did not materially comply with certain requirements for seven of the Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that Lonna Carroll, a former employee of the state Department of Social Services (DSS), was found guilty on Thursday of stealing an estimated $1.8 million from Child Protection Services. Carroll, 68, of Algona, Iowa, was convicted by a Hughes County jury on two felony counts of Aggravated Grand Read More…
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) has released the results of its biennial Customer Satisfaction Survey, showing that approximately 70 percent of respondents are satisfied with the department’s services. The 12th edition of the survey, conducted by the University of Wyoming’s Survey and Analysis Center, collected 997 responses from Nov. 6 to Dec. 17, 2024. Read More…