All posts by Big Sky Headlines

Montana university officials approve guidelines for fall reopening

Montana university officials approved guidelines for colleges and universities statewide to reopen campuses in the fall. These measures, known as Montana University System Healthy Fall 2020 Task force Guidelines, would be used as the framework for campuses to form their own individual safe back-to-school plans. A few of the key points listed in those guidelines Read More…

Congressmen Gianforte and Johnson call for Congress to strip ex-IHS doctor of his pension

Two members of Congress have written a letter to officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) demanding that former Indian Health Services pediatrician and convicted pedophile Stanley Patrick Weber be stripped of his pension. Congressmen Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, and Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, wrote Monday that by allowing Weber to continue Read More…

Unsolicited packages of seeds from China delivered to Montana mailboxes

MISSOULA, Mont. — Unordered packages containing unknown seeds are arriving in mailboxes across the country with return addresses in China. Montana officials started getting reports of the unsolicited packages this week. According to the Montana Department of Agriculture, it’s important that recipients of these unsolicited packages of seeds do not plant them. “Could they be harmless Read More…

A former Pa. congressman caught in 1970s Abscam sting has been indicted again — this time for election fraud

A former Pennsylvania congressman convicted in the 1970s Abscam investigation was charged Thursday as a result of new allegations that he bribed a poll worker to stuff ballot boxes in local elections.   Federal prosecutors said former U.S. Rep. Michael “Ozzie” Myers, now working as a campaign consultant, paid a South Philadelphia judge of elections Read More…

Tesla reports fourth straight quarter of profits

Tesla just reported its second-quarter results. Shares rose more than 4% after hours as the company beat expectations and reported its fourth straight quarter of profits. Here’s how Elon Musk’s electric car and renewable energy business did versus analysts’ expectations, according to estimates compiled by Refinitiv. Earnings: $2.18 (ex-items) vs. 3 cents per share, expected. Revenue: $6.04 billion vs. Read More…

South Dakota lawmakers criticize Gov. Noem on tribal checkpoints

SIOUX FALLS | South Dakota lawmakers on Tuesday called for formal consultation processes between tribal and state governments following Gov. Kristi Noem’s handling of a conflict over coronavirus checkpoints set up by tribes.   Legislators on a committee tasked with navigating the relationship between tribes and the state criticized the governor for escalating the conflict Read More…

Wyoming approves mask order for Teton County

Masks are now required in Teton County, the result of a long-sought countywide mask order the state approved as COVID-19 makes its return to the valley. The order includes some exceptions.   State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist signed the order Monday, hours after the Teton County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve Read More…

GORDON PRAISES COURT RULING ALLOWING WYOMING TO CHALLENGE OBAMA-ERA GAS FLARING RULE

CASPER, Wyo. — Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon is pleased that a federal court in Wyoming reached a decision Tuesday that “will allow Wyoming and three other energy producing states to restart legal challenges to an overreaching Obama-era rule,” according to the governor’s office. Gordon’s office says the Wyoming federal district court’s decision comes after a Read More…

State of Montana partnering with Montana State University to expand surveillance testing for COVID-19

HELENA- The State of Montana is partnering with Montana State University to expand surveillance testing for COVID-19 for critical front-line health care personnel, essential workers and other groups. Researchers with the Montana State University will begin surveillance testing next week and will have a capability to test 500 people per day according to a release Read More…

Montana prison warden resigns

Montana State Prison Warden Lynn Guyer submitted his letter of resignation last week after almost two years on the job and amid a public health crisis through which the state correctional system has been carefully treading. Montana Department of Corrections spokesperson Carolynn Bright on Wednesday confirmed Guyer had submitted his letter of resignation on July Read More…

Pelosi vows that Trump ‘will be leaving’ White House ‘whether he knows it yet or not’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday that President Donald Trump, “Whether he knows it yet or not, he will be leaving” the White House, despite Trump’s refusal to commit to respecting the 2020 presidential election results. “There is a process,” Pelosi, D-Calif., said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” referring to presidential elections and the Constitutional mechanism for putting their winners into Read More…

‘WE DID NOTHING WRONG’ Coronavirus-infected couple put under house arrest and forced to wear ankle monitors after refusing to stay home

A CORONAVIRUS-infected couple has been put under house arrest and forced to wear ankle monitors after refusing to stay home. Elizabeth and Isaiah Linscott said personnel from the health department and sheriff’s office showed up at their Kentucky home after she declined to sign a self-quarantine order, according to reports. The woman underwent a voluntary Read More…

South Dakota courts Minnesota businesses with looser coronavirus restrictions

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – South Dakota is trying to lure Minnesota businesses to relocate by promoting its looser coronavirus restrictions, but Minnesota’s governor predicted businesses would stay put. South Dakota is spending $369,500 on an advertising campaign in Minnesota now through Labor Day. Ads will air on TV, radio, social media, and in print, according to a Read More…

Trooper Wade Palmer retires from MHP

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wade Palmer retired Monday afternoon after an eight-year career. Trooper Palmer is taking a medical retirement after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to the face, head, and neck while searching for a suspect in March of 2019. His survival after such critical injuries has been called miraculous. On Monday, Palmer, accompanied by Read More…

Montana bull rider earns $10K with PBR victory

PRAIRIE GROVE, ARK. — Columbia Falls bull rider Matt Triplett hit a home run aboard Louisville Slugger in the second round Saturday night at the Professional Bull Riders Buckin’ at the Ranch stop here.   Triplett unleashed a 92-point effort to seal the Touring Pro Division victory and $10,000. He also had an 86.5-point ride Read More…

Gianforte stumps in Havre for governor

Rep. Greg Gianforte R-Mont., was campaigning for governor in Havre Thursday, discuss his Montana Comeback Plan at Tilleman Motor Co. Kristen Juras, Gianforte’s running mate, introduced him to the small crowd at the event. “I am excited,” Juras said. “I am excited about the prospect about Greg Gianforte becoming our next governor.” Gianforte was elected Read More…

Hackers took over dozens of high-profile Twitter accounts including those of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, and Apple and used them to post bitcoin scam links

Dozens of high-profile Twitter accounts were apparently hacked Wednesday as part of a cryptocurrency scam. This included the accounts of the billionaires Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mike Bloomberg, and Warren Buffett, as well as numerous tech startups and cryptocurrency-related sites. The Twitter accounts of former President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden Read More…

Kalispell school board discusses back-to-school plan

KALISPELL, Mont. — The Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees had a meeting Tuesday night to talk about their back-to-school plans. The superintendent went over phases and what school might look like. In phase two, the governor’s order requires group sizes not to exceed 50 people. READ FULL STORY

John Sparks: Espinoza v. Montana an important win for religious liberty

Sometimes, the facts of a case have an emotional appeal in addition to a strong constitutional basis. Espinoza v. Montana certainly qualifies. Kendra Espinoza, a hard-working (three jobs) and determined single mom, decided to take her two daughters out of the local public schools and enroll them in Stillwater Christian School in Kalispell, Montana. She explained that she “wanted Read More…

SENS. CORY BOOKER AND STEVE DAINES CREATE $50B BIPARTISAN COVID-19 RELIEF PROPOSAL FOR BLACK BUSINESS

Black-owned and minority businesses have suffered greatly recently with many having to permanently close their doors as a result of the COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, pandemic. Due to economic impact, it’s been reported that nearly 40% of businesses will not be able to survive the public health crisis. Now Sens. Cory Booker (D- NJ)  and Steve Daines (R-MT) are coming Read More…