All posts by Big Sky Headlines

Daines, Zinke Lead Bipartisan Effort to Combat Drug Trafficking in Tribal Communities

1 year ago   Featured, Montana Politics, Politics

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Representative Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) teamed up with Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Representative Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) to introduce the bipartisan PROTECT Act, aimed at tackling drug trafficking in tribal communities across the country, including Montana. The bill—Protection for Reservation Occupants Against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act—would expand Read More…

D-Day: Honoring Courage and Sacrifice

1 year ago   National News, News

Today, on the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the world pauses to honor one of the most defining moments of the 20th century—the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. On this day in 1944, over 156,000 troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, Read More…

Gov. Gianforte visitng Crazy Mountain Veterinary Service in Harlowton

Gianforte Continues 56 County Tour

1 year ago   Home Featured, Montana News, News

Governor Greg Gianforte continued his fifth annual 56 County Tour this week, meeting with Montanans in Golden Valley, Wheatland, and Fergus counties to celebrate legislative wins and highlight rural resilience. During stops across central Montana, the governor met with lawmakers, small business owners, and community leaders, emphasizing the importance of local leadership and education. “The Read More…

In just a few months, ICE makes 1,000+ worksite enforcement actions

1 year ago   National News, News

(The Center Square) – In just a few months, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested more than 1,000 “illegal alien workers without employment authorization.” It’s “the highest rate of arrest in HSI’s history,” HSI acting Executive Associate Director Robert Hammer said in April. “We’ve subpoenaed the business records of about 1,200 businesses, and Read More…

Law enforcement agencies in 40 states are partnering with ICE 287(g) program

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

(The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is calling on law enforcement officials in all U.S. counties to participate in a federal program, 287(g). Those who do receive free training and resources, potentially federal grant money, and a partnership with the Trump administration to identify violent criminals illegally in the country, many of Read More…

Watchdogs: New Montana law restricting foreign money in elections insufficient

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

(The Center Square) – Montana recently became the sixth state this year to pass a ban on foreign spending on ballot measures. Watchdog organizations, however, say the state’s new law is inadequate. Montana’s new law bars non-U.S. citizens, foreign governments, foreign political parties and foreign-owned entities from contributing to campaigns surrounding ballot measures. The legislation Read More…

Food policy should follow the best science

1 year ago   Opinion

As a registered and licensed dietitian nutritionist for over 15 years in Louisiana, I have worked alongside many providers with the common goal of providing the best possible care and supporting patients with guidance on balanced diets. With high rates of childhood obesity in Louisiana, I recognize that the state legislature is looking to apply Read More…

Judge halts order to terminate Harvard foreign student visas

1 year ago   National News, News

(The Center Square) – A day after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the Trump administration was terminating Harvard University’s foreign student visa “privileges,” a federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration from halting the program. Judge Allison Burroughs of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order Friday Read More…

Max Baucus Institute Announces 2025 Baucus Leader Scholars

1 year ago   Montana News, News

The Max S. Baucus Institute has announced its Baucus Leader Class of 2025. The more than 40 University of Montana students selected represent Ambassador Baucus’ commitment to create outstanding service opportunities at home and abroad for undergraduate and graduate students from across Montana. Inspired by Baucus’ belief that “there is no higher calling than public Read More…

AI regulatory moratorium provides time to get the standard right

1 year ago   Opinion

For states like Washington, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, the 10-year regulatory moratorium on artificial intelligence recently passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The committee’s decision to advance this pause on state-level AI regulations marks a crucial step toward creating the regulatory certainty needed to attract substantial tech investment to our region, Read More…

Senator Steve Daines Leads Push to Strengthen Veteran Health Care Access

1 year ago   Montana Politics, Politics

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has introduced new legislation aimed at reinforcing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ commitment to accessible, high-quality health care for America’s veterans. Joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Daines is championing the “Protecting Veteran Community Care Act,” a bill that would bolster the VA’s Community Care program Read More…

Ryan Zinke

Zinke Votes to Pass “Big Beautiful Bill”

1 year ago   Featured, Montana Politics, Politics

Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01) announced his vote in favor of the Big Beautiful Bill Act, landmark legislation that he says delivers long-awaited reforms to federal tax policy, border security, entitlement programs, and land conservation—all while safeguarding Montana’s values and public lands. Zinke hailed the bill as a “bold, decisive action” to restore fiscal sanity and Read More…

North Dakota Reports Slight Dip in Q1 2025 Taxable Sales

1 year ago   Featured, News, Regional News

North Dakota Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus announced today that the state’s taxable sales and purchases for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $5.65 billion, reflecting a 1.53% decrease compared to the same period last year. Despite the modest decline, Kroshus said the data show signs of underlying economic stability amid national economic uncertainty. “While we Read More…

Daktronics to Participate in Craig-Hallum’s 22nd Annual Institutional Investor Conference

1 year ago   Business, Featured, National Business News

Daktronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DAKT), a dynamic video communication displays and control systems company, announced today that Interim Chief Executive Officer Brad Wiemann and Acting Chief Financial Officer Howard Atkins will represent the company at the Craig-Hallum Capital Group’s 22nd Annual Institutional Investor Conference. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Minneapolis, Read More…

Senator Daines Introduces Bill to Keep National Cemeteries Open on Federal Holidays

1 year ago   Montana Politics, Politics

Just days before Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced new legislation aimed at ensuring national cemeteries remain open to the public on all federal holidays. The bill is designed to provide families, friends, and veteran organizations with consistent access to honor fallen service members on the days set aside for remembrance. “Federal holidays Read More…

Wyoming Business Council Charts Bold Path Forward for State’s Economic Future

1 year ago   News, Regional News

In a candid and forward-looking quarterly meeting this week, the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) Board of Directors turned its focus toward bold strategies aimed at reversing persistent economic challenges, including stagnant job growth and population decline. During a strategic work session held May 20, WBC CEO Josh Dorrell presented a stark assessment of Wyoming’s current Read More…

Bridger Aerospace Lands Record-Breaking Wildfire Contracts for Super Scooper Aircraft

1 year ago   Montana Business News, Montana News, News

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the nation’s leading aerial firefighting companies, announced today it has secured two unprecedented 120-day task orders from the U.S. Forest Service for its fleet of CL-415EAF “Super Scooper” aircraft. The contracts, each covering two aircraft, mark the longest task orders ever awarded to Bridger for Read More…

Governor Gianforte Honors Veterans for Distinguished Service in Glendive and Miles City

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

As part of his ongoing 56 County Tour, Governor Greg Gianforte made stops in eastern Montana this week to recognize two veterans with the 2024 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation, honoring their military service and continued contributions to their communities. On Thursday in Glendive, Gov. Gianforte presented the award to U.S. Army veteran Rick Berg during Read More…

Montana Ranks Third Nationally for Lowest Unemployment

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

Montana continues to outperform much of the nation in employment, ranking third among U.S. states for the lowest unemployment rate, Governor Greg Gianforte announced. The state’s jobless rate held steady at 2.7% in April, trailing only South Dakota and North Dakota. The figure marks an ongoing trend of low unemployment in Montana, maintaining 46 consecutive Read More…

Buckskin Mine Honored with 2025 DEQ Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award

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

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has awarded the 2025 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award in the coal category to the Buckskin Mine for its outstanding work restoring native sagebrush habitat in Campbell County. The award, which recognizes exceptional achievements in mine reclamation, will be officially presented during the 69th Annual Wyoming Mining Association Read More…

Zinke Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Foreign Military Sales Notification Process

1 year ago   Montana Politics, Politics

Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Foreign Military Sales Task Force, has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at modernizing the outdated Congressional Notification (CN) process for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS). The bill is co-sponsored by Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19). Zinke’s legislation comes as FMS and DCS Read More…

Senate Committee Advances North Dakota Superintendent Baesler’s Nomination for Federal Education Post

1 year ago   Featured, News, Regional News

North Dakota State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler’s nomination to serve as the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education has advanced to the full United States Senate. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) approved Baesler’s nomination Friday in a party-line vote of 12-11, as part of an en Read More…

Attorney General Jackley Appoints Two New Special Agents in Charge at South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation

1 year ago   Featured, News, Regional News

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today the promotion of two veteran law enforcement officers to newly created leadership positions within the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Supervisory Special Agents Mike Hockett and Dane Rasmussen have been named Special Agents in Charge (SAC) for the Eastern and Western regions of the state, respectively. “Special Read More…

Knudsen Urges Gallatin County to Support ICE Partnership

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

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is calling on the Gallatin County Commission to reject legal guidance from the Democrat county attorney and partner with the Trump Administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. In a letter sent Wednesday, Knudsen criticized a recent legal opinion from Democrat Gallatin County Attorney Read More…

Berkshire Hathaway Surpasses Federal Reserve in T-Bill Holdings

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

Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate helmed by legendary investor Warren Buffett, has become the largest private holder of short-term U.S. government debt — and now holds more Treasury bills than even the U.S. Federal Reserve. In its latest earnings report released Saturday, Berkshire revealed it now holds $314.1 billion in short-term Treasuries as of March 31, Read More…

Microsoft Marks 50th Anniversary

1 year ago   Business, Featured, National Business News

Microsoft the technology titan that reshaped personal computing, celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 4, 2025, reflecting on a storied legacy while charting an ambitious path forward in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the company has evolved from a scrappy software startup to a $3 trillion Read More…

Montana State professor Elizabeth Shanahan receives Fulbright Scholar Award for research in Australia

1 year ago   Montana News, News

Elizabeth Shanahan, a professor of political science at Montana State University, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Australia, where she will investigate Australian public responses and policy development related to the prevention of emerging infectious disease. Shanahan will collaborate with a researcher in the University of Wollongong’s School of Health and Society Read More…

Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Invests $900 Million in Howard Hughes Holdings

1 year ago   Business, National Business News, National News, News

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, through his hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management, has made a significant move by investing $900 million in Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HHH), increasing his stake to 46.9% and positioning the real estate developer as a platform for a diversified holding company modeled after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. The announcement, Read More…

‘We don’t want the money’: WA trucking industry resists EV mandate

1 year ago   Featured, Politics, Regional Politics

The Center Square) – The Washington State Department of Ecology is proposing updates to regulations that reduce pollution from new semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles sold in the state. Ecology contends the updates will increase flexibility and help the industry transition to zero-emission trucks. DOE is offering over $130 million in taxpayer funding to buy clean trucks and build charging infrastructure Read More…