All posts by Big Sky Headlines

(The Center Square) – Lawmakers will grill President Joe Biden’s Energy secretary at a newly announced oversight hearing scheduled for Thursday. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is expected to face lawmakers for questions amid elevated gas prices, a depleted strategic petroleum reserve, and ongoing criticism of Biden’s energy policies. According to AAA, the average national price Read More…

Missoula Business Owner Finds Success in UM’s MBA Program

MISSOULA – In early 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to make people feel isolated, University of Montana alumna Syann Stevens created a platform to connect residents, businesses and organizations across Missoula. Stevens founded TAPMissoula, a local social-media hub that offers a safe, virtual space for individuals, existing networks and community groups to stay connected. Read More…

MSU graduate student venture nabs top award at fifth annual $100K Venture Competition

BOZEMAN — The finals of the fifth annual $100K Venture Competition, hosted by Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship and the MSU Blackstone LaunchPad, were held April 24 in Inspiration Hall at MSU. During the competition, the finalists pitched their innovative business ideas to a panel of five judges and answered Read More…

DEQ Issues Draft Permit and Environmental Assessment for Spanish Peaks Mountain Club Snowmaking Project

Helena—On Friday, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) published a draft permit and environmental assessment for a proposed discharge at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club associated with their Snowmaking Project to be located in Madison and Gallatin Counties, near Big Sky, Mont. Cross Harbor Spanish Peaks Acquisitions (CHSP), LLC, applied to DEQ for a Montana Read More…

Gianforte holds big fundraising lead over Busse

Recent campaign finance filings reveal that with just a month remaining until Montana’s June 4 primary, Governor Greg Gianforte holds substantial financial advantages over his opponents. During the fundraising period from March 16 to April 15, the incumbent Republican, Gianforte, amassed $157,000 for the primary and an additional $72,000 for the General Election, totaling $921,000 Read More…

Knudsen dominates fundraising in AG race

Recent campaign finance filings reveal that with just a month remaining until Montana’s June 4 primary, Attorney General Austin Knudsen holds substantial financial advantages over his opponents. Incumbent Republican Knudsen secured over $56,000 during the month raising his total raised to $394,000.  With expenditures totaling approximately $19,000, he concludes the period with over $230,000 in Read More…

Gianforte launches annual 56 county tour

Governor Greg Gianforte inaugurated his fourth annual 56 County Tour as governor, engaging with residents of Meagher, Judith Basin, and Fergus counties. “The most rewarding aspect of my role is connecting with Montanans in their hometowns and workplaces,” remarked Gov. Gianforte. “Launching our 2024 tour is an opportunity to spotlight the innovative small businesses and Read More…

Greenwood leads fundraising in race for Clerk of the Supreme Court

Recent campaign finance filings reveal that with just a month remaining until Montana’s June 4 primary, Bowen Greenwood holds substantial financial advantages over his opponents in the race for Clerk of Supreme Court. Incumbent Republican Bowen Greenwood collected close to $25,000 in contributions during the month leading up to the primary, with expenditures totaling around Read More…

Knudsen files lawsuit against Biden’s rule banning private gun sales

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen spearheaded a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s recent assault on Americans’ Second Amendment rights. This legal action marks the 45th lawsuit initiated by Attorney General Knudsen against the Biden administration. The lawsuit challenges the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Read More…

Governors Advocate for End to Biden’s Halt on Natural Gas Export

A coalition of 25 Republican governors joined forces to issue a collective statement urging President Joe Biden to lift the current pause on new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals. The governors expressed deep concern over the administration’s decision, emphasizing its adverse impact on both economic and national security, as well as the security of Read More…

Schools from Hamilton and Corvallis crowned as Science Olympiad state champions, other awards go to dozens of schools

BOZEMAN — Hamilton High School and Corvallis Middle School defended their state championships by claiming the team trophies in the annual Montana Science Olympiad state tournament held at Montana State University on Friday, April 19. Both schools will now move on to represent Montana at the National Science Olympiad tournament held at Michigan State University Read More…

Montana’s overreaching courts need to be reined in

The Montana Supreme Court and several district court judges have become completely unmoored from the plain text of the Montana Constitution and the separation of powers among our three branches of government. Here’s a quick recap of just some of their most egregious recent actions: The Supreme Court overturned four common sense election integrity laws Read More…

Unpacking the Economic Dynamics of Fentanyl

The emergence of fentanyl as a deadly drug threat has placed Montana at the forefront of trafficking activities, driven by the staggering profit margins associated with this potent substance. With just a two-milligram dose capable of proving lethal, the economic allure for traffickers is immense. A kilogram of fentanyl, which can potentially result in the Read More…

Lee Enterprises Adopts ‘Poison-Pill’ to Block Quint Digital

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: LEE),has announced that its Board of Directors  approved a limited-duration shareholder rights plan (“Rights Plan”). Effective immediately, the Rights Plan will remain in effect until March 27, 2025. However, the Board retains the option to terminate the Rights Plan earlier if deemed necessary. The decision to implement the Rights Plan comes Read More…

Environmental activists group sues AG over communication with coal company

Earlier this month, a Montana environmental activist group took legal action against the state Department of Justice, alleging a violation of their constitutional right to access information by withholding communications between the department and a Canadian coal mining company. The Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC)has long fought natural resource development in Montana. The group has Read More…

Commerce Awards $100,000 in Grant Funding to Three Montana Main Street Communities

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that three Montana communities will share $100,000 in grant funding to regenerate Main Street businesses and downtowns. The funding is through Commerce’s Montana Main Street Program (MMS). “Montana’s Main Streets are at the heart of our state’s values, our neighborhoods and the economy. That’s why Read More…

15 attorneys general allege Bank of America using ‘discriminatory’ banking practices

(The Center Square) – A coalition of 15 Republican attorneys general want Bank of America to correct what the law officers are calling “debanking practices.” In a letter sent this week to Bank of America Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan, the attorneys general, led by Kansas’s Kris Kobach, wrote that Bank of America “appears to be conditioning Read More…

20 cadets win awards from Montana State’s Air Force ROTC

BOZEMAN – The Air Force ROTC at Montana State University bestowed 20 awards upon selected cadets on April 17. The name of the award, the recipient(s), major, anticipated graduation date, and hometown follow: Dwight Smith Sword Award Cadet Dustin Edgerton, Computer Science, May 2024, Wasilla, Alaska. Cadet Dawson Grier, Business Finance, May 2025, Garden Grove, Read More…

Multiple bills introduced in Congress to defund NPR

(The Center Square) – Several U.S. House Republicans introduced multiple pieces of legislation to defund National Public Radio following new allegations of “leftist propaganda” from the taxpayer-funded news source. House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good, R-Va., Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., introduced similar legislation to prohibit federal funding for NPR, including barring local Read More…

Poll: Montana Senate Race Neck and Neck

Recent polling data from J.L. Partners, obtained by several Montana news outlets, sheds light on the closely contested U.S. Senate race in Montana. The race pits incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Tester against Republican newcomer Tim Sheehy, with results showing a tight competition. According to the poll, Sheehy currently holds a slight lead over Tester, with Read More…

CEO Pay Hit Another Record. Shareholders Did Even Better.

Benjamin Franklin’s timeless assertion from 1789 about the certainties of life—death and taxes—might require a modern update if he were alive today. In our contemporary landscape, alongside these age-old certainties, we witness another phenomenon: the ever-escalating compensation of chief executive officers (CEOs). According to a recent study by Equilar, median pay for America’s top CEOs Read More…

Senate Democrats Strategize $79M Advertising Blitz

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is gearing up for a significant advertising push, allocating a staggering $79 million to secure the party’s majority in the upcoming November elections. This initiative is part of a broader strategy alongside spending from the Senate Majority super PAC and individual candidates. The DSCC’s plan encompasses TV, radio, and Read More…

Montana State to host REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield

Montana State University’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse will welcome classic rock hitmakers REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield in concert on Saturday, Oct. 26. Tickets start at $36.50 plus fees and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 26. Since forming in 1967, REO Speedwagon has released nine platinum albums, with hit songs including “Keep on Read More…

Montana State breaks ground on Gianforte Hall, new building for computer science and related fields

BOZEMAN — A 3-foot tall robot with blinking LED eyes delivered a shovel to Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday afternoon at the groundbreaking for Gianforte Hall at Montana State University, a new three-story building which will house computer science and related fields of study. The Gianforte Family Foundation donated $50 million to help fund Read More…

Attorney General Knudsen and state partners continue fight to end human trafficking

BOZEMAN – Over 100 law enforcement officials, criminal prosecutors, advocacy groups, public health officials, and private industry leaders joined Attorney General Austin Knudsen today in Bozeman to discuss efforts and effective strategies to combat human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in Montana. Today’s event was the fourth anti-human trafficking symposium Attorney General Knudsen has hosted Read More…

Greg Gianforte

Governor Gianforte Announces Board Appointments

Governor Greg Gianforte announced the following appointments: Board of Veterans’ Affairs   Chauncey Parker, Box Elder: A veteran of the Montana Army National Guard and a Carroll College graduate, Parker serves as the Executive Director of the Great Plains Veterans Services Center and is the Post Commander for American Legion Post 67. His term will Read More…