All posts by Big Sky Headlines

Unbreakables Foundation Launches Initiative to Empower Disadvantaged Families

1 year ago   Montana News, News

A newly established nonprofit organization, the Unbreakables Foundation, has announced its inaugural initiatives aimed at enhancing self-reliance and welfare among disadvantaged families in the United States and former conflict zones. Founded under the leadership of Braxton Norwood PhD, Unbreakables Foundation is dedicated to fostering independence and prosperity for vulnerable groups, with a particular emphasis on Read More…

Burgum appoints Greg Hoffman to serve as chief information officer

1 year ago   Featured, News, Regional News

Governor Doug Burgum has appointed Greg Hoffman to serve as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) department, effective immediately. Hoffman, recognized for his extensive leadership within the agency, steps into the role following his tenure as interim CIO since June 1, succeeding Kuldip Mohanty. With a career spanning nearly Read More…

Democrat Complaint Against Governor Gianforte Dismissed

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, Montana Politics, Politics

Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices, Chris Gallus, decisively dismissed a complaint on Wednesday alleging misuse of taxpayer funds by Governor Greg Gianforte for his reelection efforts. The complaint, filed by Democratic candidates Ryan Busse and Raph Graybill, accused Gianforte of leveraging state resources through postcards sent to Montana taxpayers to bolster his campaign. In a Read More…

GOP Chair calls for Menahan recusal

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, Montana Politics, Politics

REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN CALLS ON JUDGE MENAHAN TO RECUSE HIMSELF In a strongly-worded statement, Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt called on Judge Mike Menahan  to recuse himself from the CI-128 case. Kaltschmidt accused the judge of bias, alleging that Menahan has consistently favored pro-abortion activists throughout his career. “Judge Menahan has sold out Read More…

Shooting Sports Group Endorses Gianforte

1 year ago   Montana Politics, Politics

In anticipation of the upcoming November General Election, the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 candidate grades and endorsements, aimed at guiding pro-gun voters in their choices at the polls. MSSA has given Governor Greg Gianforte an A rating and the group endorsed him for the 2024 Election. Gianforte’s Democrat Read More…

Wyoming Transportation Commission to meet July 18

1 year ago   Featured, News, Regional News

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Wyoming Transportation Commission is scheduled to convene for its regular business meeting on Thursday, July 18, starting at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will be conducted exclusively via Zoom to address agenda items and conduct necessary votes. The primary agenda items include critical discussions related to transportation infrastructure and pertinent statewide initiatives. Read More…

FBI Identifies Shooter in Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, National News, News

The FBI has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the suspect in the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The incident, which unfolded on Saturday, ended with the suspect being fatally shot by Secret Service agents just seconds after shots were fired towards the stage where Trump was addressing the crowd. According to Read More…

Montana State’s Blake Wiedenheft receives regional award for research excellence

1 year ago   Home Featured, Montana News, News

BOZEMAN – Montana State University scientist Blake Wiedenheft was recognized last month with a prestigious award from agricultural deans and directors around the Western U.S. Wiedenheft received the Agricultural Research and Innovation Award from agInnovation West, an organization made up of the experiment station directors and agriculture deans at land-grant universities in the western half Read More…

Glacier Bancorp Declares Quarterly Dividend

1 year ago   Business, Montana Business News

KALISPELL, Mont. – Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: GBCI) announced that its Board of Directors, has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share. This declaration marks the Company’s 157th consecutive quarterly dividend payout and represents the 49th increase in its dividend history. The dividend is scheduled to be paid on July 18, 2024, to shareholders Read More…

Liberal Groups Bring Lawsuit Over Montana Ballot Initiatives

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, Montana Politics, Politics

In a contentious legal battle unfolding in Montana, two organizations are taking the state’s Secretary of State to court over signature acceptance rules for proposed constitutional initiatives. These initiatives face uncertain prospects for appearing on the November ballot. The dispute centers on the inclusion of signatures from “inactive voters” — individuals who have not participated Read More…

NorthWestern Energy Seeks Rate Increases for Electric and Gas Customers in Montana

1 year ago   Business, Energy Business News, Featured, Montana News

NorthWestern Energy has formally requested approval from Montana regulators to raise rates for its electric and natural gas customers, marking its first rate adjustment petition since its last review two years ago. NorthWestern Energy submitted its proposal to the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) for an interim rate increase. The initial request outlines a $2 Read More…

MSU Extension Supports Local Government Reviews

1 year ago   Featured, Montana Politics, Politics

Montana State University Extension’s Local Government Center is gearing up to assist numerous municipalities and counties in Montana as they embark on their decennial local government reviews. With 43 municipalities and 12 counties opting to participate, the center will play a crucial role in providing necessary support and training to study commissioners. According to Dan Read More…

Report: Nationwide political spending projected to hit $10.69B

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, National Politics, Politics

(The Center Square) – As the 2024 election season gears up, a recently-released report predicts nationwide political spending will reach a record high $10.69 billion. The Political Projections Report predicts that California, Pennsylvania, and Arizona will have the highest levels of spending on advertising. The report was released on Monday by advertisement tracking company AdImpact. “This Read More…

Montana gets $40 million in federal funds for innovation research

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, Montana Business News, Montana News, News

(The Center Square) – Montana is receiving $40 million in federal funds due to legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines. The “Endless Frontier Act” calls for increased investments in science and technology innovation as a way of strengthening the U.S. economy and national security to compete with China and other nations. “Montana continues to lead Read More…

House Judiciary: taxpayers funding border crisis, services to illegal foreign nationals

1 year ago   National Politics, Politics

(The Center Square) – Taxpayers are not only funding the border crisis, but they are also paying for numerous free services illegal foreign nationals receive, according to a new report published by the House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.  The committee blames the Biden administration in its new report, Read More…

Nate Silver Calls for Biden to Withdraw from 2024 Race Amid Criticism of Post-Debate Interview

1 year ago   Featured, National Politics, Politics

Renowned pollster Nate Silver, founder of ABC’s FiveThirtyEight, has joined a chorus of voices urging President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race following what he termed “incoherent comments” made during Biden’s first post-debate interview on Friday. Silver, known for his data-driven analyses, expressed his concerns publicly on social media platform X after Read More…

Montana’s New Transparency Law Ensures Public Access to Local Government Meetings

1 year ago   Featured, Montana Politics, Politics

Montana’s latest legislative effort to enhance government transparency went into effect on July 1 with the implementation of House Bill 890, aimed at providing the public with clearer insights into local government proceedings. Sponsored by Rep. Brad Barker, R-Luther, HB 890 mandates that many local government boards across the state record their meetings and publish Read More…

Knudsen issues statement on court’s stay of Biden’s 1557 rule change

1 year ago   Montana Politics, Politics

In a significant legal development, a federal court has granted Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s request to halt the Biden administration’s controversial new rule concerning gender-transition treatments. The rule, proposed under Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), aimed to tie federal funding to compliance with mandates requiring healthcare providers to offer Read More…

Governor Honors Three Forks Veteran

1 year ago   Montana News, News

Governor Greg Gianforte recently honored Sergeant Major Sean Gifford during a ceremony in Three Forks, presenting him with the 2023 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation. “Giving back and serving our neighbors is integral to our identity as Montanans,” Governor Gianforte remarked. “It’s a privilege to recognize Sergeant Major Gifford for his exceptional contributions to the Three Read More…

Gianforte Celebrates Innovation at Belgrade Business

1 year ago   Business, Energy Business News

Governor Greg Gianforte recently attended the reopening ceremony of Big Sky Decon in Belgrade, highlighting Montana’s resilient economy and the ingenuity of its entrepreneurs. “Montana’s economy continues to thrive despite challenges like inflation and workforce pressures resulting from policies at the federal level,” Governor Gianforte remarked. “I was pleased to visit Big Sky Decon in Read More…

Teachers’ union staff goes on strike

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, National News, News

The National Education Association Staff Organization, the union representing NEA employees, set up picket lines around the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia on Friday and had planned a three-day strike during the event. President Joe Biden canceled his scheduled address at the National Education Association’s annual conference in Philadelphia after union staff initiated a Read More…

Montana Ranked Third Most Patriotic State in Nation

1 year ago   Featured, Montana News, News

Governor Greg Gianforte celebrated Montana’s recent ranking as the third most patriotic state in the nation ahead of Independence Day. “God bless America, and Montana,” Gov. Gianforte exclaimed. “This study confirms what I’ve long known: Montana is home to some of the most freedom-loving and patriotic individuals in our country. From our unwavering support for Read More…

Liberal Supreme Court justices issue dissent in Chevron ruling

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, National News, News

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan strongly criticized her conservative colleagues on Friday for overturning the Chevron deference, a major decision that shifts power from federal agencies to the courts. In her dissent, Kagan condemned the majority’s action, stating that it effectively transforms the Court into the nation’s administrative czar. Alongside liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Read More…

Montana VA gets new director

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, Montana News, News

The Montana VA announced the appointment of Duane Gill as the new director for the Montana VA Health Care System. Effective June 30, Gill will officially take on the role of director, transitioning from his previous position as interim director, as stated in a news release. Expressing his commitment, Gill remarked, “I am honored to Read More…

Knudsen responds so Supreme Court Victory

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, Montana News, News

Attorney General Knudsen spearheaded a coalition of 24 states urging the Supreme Court to overturn the lower court’s decision in March. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a previous ruling by a lower court that prevented states and local governments from enforcing laws aimed at preventing public spaces from turning into homeless encampments. Following Read More…

Montana Senate Race Heating Up

1 year ago   Featured, Montana Politics, Politics

Jon Tester, the Democratic Senator from Montana, is striving to retain his seat in a state that strongly supported Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Despite Montana’s conservative leaning, Tester has managed to secure victories in several tough elections over the past decade, maintaining his popularity with the state’s right-leaning voters. This November, Tester Read More…

Judges Halt Portions of Biden’s Student Loan Repayment Plan

1 year ago   Featured, Home Featured, National News, News

Two recent court rulings will temporarily prevent the Biden administration from implementing further parts of the president’s student loan repayment plan, which has already lowered or eliminated monthly payments for millions of federal student loan borrowers. These decisions put the SAVE Plan, introduced by President Joe Biden, into uncertainty, causing borrowers to once again face Read More…