All posts by Big Sky Headlines

North Dakota House energy committee chairman says business relationship with lobbyist unrelated to legislative work

The chairman of the North Dakota House’s energy committee recently defended a business relationship with the state’s top oil and gas lobbyist.   Mandan Republican Rep. Todd Porter and North Dakota Petroleum Council President Ron Ness are both listed in state records as partners in a commercial real estate investment group. Porter owns 5% of Read More…

Bridger Brewing, Montana State University Send Beer Ingredients into Space

HARLOWTON, Mont. — Bridger Brewing, Montana Space Grant Consortium at Montana State University and Bozeman-based Crooked Yard Hops have partnered on a project that sent beer ingredients into space. The retrieved ingredients were then used to brew a commemorative beer celebrating the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. While other breweries are Read More…

Daines visits Anaconda Job Corps open house

ANACONDA – According to U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, this year’s open house at the Anaconda Job Corps Center was anything but routine. While the Anaconda Job Corps’ open house is an annual event, Tuesday’s had a special feel to it. Last May, the career-training program was set to be closed, and some Job Corps participants Read More…

South Dakota universities to ask for $91 million in ‘high-priority’ projects

South Dakota may only be half way through 2019, but the state’s public university system is looking two years into the future. Universities and schools under the South Dakota Board of Regents asked for almost $91.2 million to complete what they deemed as “high-priority projects” in 2021 at Wednesday’s board meeting through informal budget hearings. The Read More…

Wyoming unemployment falls to 3.5% in May 2019

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported Tuesday that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 3.6% in April to 3.5% in May. Wyoming’s unemployment rate was lower than its year-ago level of 4% and slightly lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 3.6%. READ FULL STORY

THIRD REPUBLICAN ENTERS HOUSE RACE

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A third Republican has filed to run for Montana’s U.S. House seat left open by Rep. Greg Gianforte’s decision to run governor. Lewis and Clark County Republican chairman Joe Dooling filed his paperwork Monday with the Federal Election Commission. He joins State Auditor Matt Rosendale and Secretary of State Corey Stapleton Read More…

Montana tourism industry draws millions each year, boosts economy

The tourism industry in Montana is booming and it’s easy to understand why. Montana is the best place to explore over a million acres of wilderness filled with glacier-carved terrain, crystal clear rivers, and 400-foot waterfalls all in between breathtaking mountain ranges. The sightseeing alone draws millions to the state every year. During the winter, Read More…

Montana solar project wins in court, will triple state’s capacity

Montana judge James A. Manley had previously ruled that the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) had violated the rights of developer MTSUN by cutting both the rates paid for electricity and contract lengths under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), for the express purpose of undercutting the viability of solar power. This was in Read More…

Panel advances two dozen candidates for North Dakota’s first ethics commission

BISMARCK — A panel charged with selecting members of North Dakota’s new state government ethics commission identified two dozen candidates for further consideration during a meeting at the state Capitol Friday, June 21. Members of the selection committee, composed of Gov. Doug Burgum and the Senate’s majority and minority leaders, each brought their own list Read More…

New Wyoming program will help adults pay for college

A statewide education group introduced a program Thursday that will help adult students in Wyoming learn skills that lead to secure employment. The program will be called Wyoming Works, the Wyoming Education Attainment Council Executive Committee announced. “We are not only advancing our post-secondary attainment goals, but also ensuring Wyoming citizens have high-quality credentials to Read More…

Former GOP Rep. Cynthia Lummis files to run for Wyoming Senate seat

Former Wyoming Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R) on Thursday officially filed to run for outgoing Sen. Mike Enzi’s (R-Wyo.) seat in 2020. Lummis, a former member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, previously represented the Equality State as the state’s lone House representative, but opted not to seek reelection in 2016. Enzi, 75, in May announced his plans to retire from Read More…

Guest view: Montana must increase baseload power

While California may have a population nearly forty times greater than Montana, utility consumers are still subject to the same vulnerabilities. With current technology, the best way to protect utility customers from an energy shortage is through an increase in available, reliable, baseload power.   Out-of-state and foreign interests are applying increased pressure on lawmakers, Read More…

GTUIT Gets EcoStar Award

GTUIT, LLC, Billings, MT was awarded the EcoStar Pollution Prevention Award for 2019. The award was presented at a reception hosted by Governor Bullock at the State Capitol Rotunda in Helena. The award recognizes GTUIT for taking environmentally responsible steps to reduce air emissions in oil producing regions, maximize upstream oil and gas operation efficiencies, conserve Read More…

Tom Cotton: Iran ‘Marching Up Chain’ of Provocative Acts Against Us

Senate hawk Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on Sunday said Iran is ”steadily marching up” the “escalation ladder” in its provocative acts against the United States. In an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Cotton said there needs to boundaries set by the United States for Tehran. Iran is “steadily marching up the the chain, attacking vessels at sea, unmanned American Read More…

Beartooth Pass is open

RED LODGE – Beartooth Pass is now completely open, according to a press release Sunday afternoon. It is completely open on both the Montana and Wyoming sides. The status of the pass can change quickly due to adverse weather and rock/snow slides, however. Drivers are asked to use caution. READ FULL STORY

CEO: UNION COULD THREATEN HOSPITAL’S INDEPENDENCE

The possibility of a nurse’s union forming at Kalispell Regional Healthcare is coming to a tipping point as employees gear up to cast their votes on the matter during a two-day union election slated for July 11-12— a fast-approaching resolution hospital officials say could signal an end to the hospital’s independence, should they vote in Read More…

TSA officers attacked at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

A man was arrested after attempting to rush through the security checkpoint and attack Transportation Security Administration officers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the TSA. At about 9:45 a.m., multiple TSA officers were attacked inside Terminal 4 when a man, later identified as Tyrese Garner, 19, attempted to rush Read More…

North Dakota April oil production numbers

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR)- April’s oil production numbers are in, and they remained almost flat from March. Natural gas production reached an all time high with 2.8 billion cubic feet produced per day. 81% was captured statewide,which is below the goal of 88%. Mineral and Gas Division director Lynn Helms gave examples of how some companies are Read More…

After delays, Bank of North Dakota still eyeing new ‘financial services’ building in Bismarck

BISMARCK — North Dakota state officials are dusting off plans to construct a new “financial services center” after budget woes delayed the building project.   Four years ago, state lawmakers authorized the use of $17 million in assets from the state-owned Bank of North Dakota for the project, which would house the Department of Commerce, Read More…