All posts by Big Sky Headlines

Montana Beef Council Board of Directors set tentative marketing plan for fiscal year

BILLINGS, MONTANA – The Montana Beef Council would like to invest up to $825,000 into programs of beef promotion, education, and producer communications in fiscal year 2019, which began Oct. 1. Programs approved could be funded through Montana’s 50 cent in-state portion of the $1 per head beef checkoff, after Montana producers provide affirmative consent Read More…

Kavanaugh gives Republicans a chance to win in Montana

ENNIS, Mont. — Louie Baur confessed he doesn’t know much about Matt Rosendale, after meeting the Republican challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Tester as he glad-handed supporters and posed for selfies along Main Street in this historic hunting outpost. But Rosendale has President Trump’s seal-of-approval in Montana’s suddenly competitive Senate contest — and that’s good enough Read More…

HD-10: Incumbent says tapping natural resources helps state

MARK NOLAND Age: 59 Party: Republican, incumbent Family: Wife, Kathy, six children and seven grandchildren Education: Graduated from Whitefish High School, some college at University of Montana Occupation: Entrepreneur, 33 years as a Flathead Valley Business owner; owner of Flathead Janitorial and Rainbow Restoration Background: I’ve been a legislator since 2015, past president of Glacier Read More…

Laurel school resource officer on leave pending investigation into alleged sexual contact with student

LAUREL – A Laurel school resource officer is on administrative leave pending an investigation into alleged sexual contact with a student. Laurel Police Chief Rick Musson said the city administrator was tasked with leading the internal investigation by Laurel Mayor Tom Nelson. The officer’s name has not been released. On Monday afternoon, Laurel Schools Superintendent Read More…

Trump, defiant, unloads on ’60 Minutes’

President Donald Trump defied climate scientists, intelligence specialists and even his own defense secretary on Sunday evening, capping a week of freewheeling press engagements with a sprawling prime-time network television interview in which he portrayed himself as an isolated but eminently empowered commander in chief. “I felt comfortable at the beginning, other than it was Read More…

Another NASA space telescope shuts down in orbit

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – Another NASA space telescope has shut down and halted science observations. Less than a week after the Hubble Space Telescope went offline, the Chandra X-ray Observatory did the same thing. NASA said Friday that Chandra’s automatically went into so-called safe mode Wednesday, possibly because of a gyroscope problem. Hubble went Read More…

Jeff Bridges visiting Bozeman to support Sen. Jon Tester

BOZEMAN – Actor Jeff Bridges is appearing at a meet and greet in Montana to support Sen. Jon Tester’s reelection campaign. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 1:30-3 PM at Ballroom A in the Strand Union Building. It’s hosted by the Montana State University College Democrats. READ FULL STORY

Nygaard will bring fresh perspective to legislature

I commend people like Colin Nygaard for standing behind his principles and desire to serve, and throwing his hat in the ring as a state legislator. Colin has shown incredible energy and hard work during his campaign to get to know the issues important to his constituents. I believe he will bring this same dedication Read More…

Mortensen represents Billings well

I had the honor of serving in the Montana House of Representatives with Dale Mortensen for several sessions. I know Dale as a top-notch legislator who is dedicated to serving his constituents, and I encourage all to vote for Dale for re-election this November. Dale brings decades of experience in law enforcement, and we need Read More…

Eggart strong choice for HD50

Quentin Eggart has been a successful business owner in Billings for many years, and I’m glad that he’s decided to bring his experience and dedication to the Montana legislature. Talking with Quentin, it’s clear that he wants to bring his private sector experience  to Helena in order to make positive change for his community and Read More…

Frank Fleming will serve Billings

Frank Fleming’s experience working in state and federal corrections will bring important insight to the state legislature and I’m happy to endorse him for House District 51. Frank has already been serving his constituents as the appointed Representative, and come November I hope you’ll join me in supporting Frank by giving him your vote. Last Read More…

Rehbein will be strong advocate

Missoula legislators often times seems out of touch with the rest of Montana – especially with my part of the state. But, luckily there are people like Dean Rehbein in Missoula who are paying attention and want to make positive change in their community and the state. Dean served as a Naval officer for many Read More…

McGillvray best choice for SD24

Tom McGillvray isn’t a new name to the Billings community, but it’s been a few years since his time as House Majority Leader during my very first session as a representative in 2011. I was lucky to serve with him back then, and I’m happy to give him my full support as he runs to Read More…

Vermillion, Esp facing off in SD 30

Dan Vermillion has surprised some people while knocking on doors over the past few months. He’s a Democrat running for Senate District 30, which covers much of Park and Sweet Grass counties. It’s been a solidly Republican seat for a long time, so having a Democrat on their doorstep catches voters in places like Big Read More…

Glacier Visitation Up Despite Wildfire Closures

Despite wildfire-related closures and travel restrictions on the beloved Going-to-the-Sun Road for part of the month, visitation in Glacier National Park was up 11.7 percent in September. Approximately, 434,600 people visited Glacier in September, up from 389,137 people in September 2017. Major wildfires have impacted the west side of the park for the last two Read More…

7 cited after sit-in, protest at Montana GOP office in Missoula

MISSOULA – Seven people protesting the Senate vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh were cited after occupying the Montana GOP office on Friday afternoon. Protesters with the Western Montana Democratic Socialists of America arrived around 2 p.m., sat down in the office and refused to leave. Meanwhile, several other protesters stood outside waving signs against Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Read More…

Russ Tempel is a true public servant

It has been a pleasure to serve in the state legislature with Russ Tempel, and I’m happy to endorse him for re-election. Russ has been a public servant for 20 years and is intimately aware of the issues facing Montana. His experience will be invaluable to tackle some of the major issues that will come Read More…

Jane Gillette will represent Bozeman

There’s almost nothing that Dr. Jane Gillette hasn’t done. She’s an Air Force veteran, a dentist, a health care advocate, a small business owner, and much more. I’m thrilled that Jane decided to put her energy and time into running for public office, and I whole heartedly endorse her for the state legislature. Jane’s experience Read More…

Hoven the right pick for Great Falls

I was able to get to know Senator Brian Hoven while serving together in the legislature for many years. He’s a top-notch legislator who is dedicated to his constituents and driven to make Montana a great place to live and raise a family for future generations. For Brian, this means using his more than 50 Read More…

Lola Sheldon-Galloway the right choice for Great Falls

I had the pleasure of serving with Lola in the Montana House of Representatives in 2017 during her first legislative session, and I saw that she was a strong conservative and a thoughtful legislator. Lola is a devoted to her constituents and was an important member of the Republican caucus. She’s a top notch legislator Read More…

Denise Johnson will make great legislator

Denise Johnson is known in Yellowstone County as being a fierce advocate for Montana’s foster children. She’s also a candidate for the Montana legislature, and I’m happy to give her my full support. I’m sure that Denise will show the same passion in Helena that she has as an advocate for foster children in Billings. Read More…

Zaugg best choice in HD47

It’s great to see young people like Colton Zaugg, with the passion of community service, stepping forward to run for political office. Colton has shown incredible energy and hard work during the months of campaigning to get to know the important issues to his constituents. I believe he will bring this same dedication to Helena, Read More…

Joe Read the right choice for legislature

I had the pleasuring of serving in the Montana House of Representatives with Joe Read and am happy to endorse him for election this November. Joe has always held firm to his strong, conservative values and it is great to have representatives like him in Helena who will firmly support the Constitution – both Montana’s Read More…

O’Neil the right choice for HD 3

Republican Jerry O’Neil has served the people of the Flathead well in the legislature, and I know that given the opportunity again this year he will again. I had the pleasure of serving with Jerry for a couple of sessions and can tell you that he’s a top notch legislator who is dedicated to his Read More…

Political prosecutor Gene Jarussi’s wife fined for campaign finance violations

Helena – The Commissioner of Political Practices ruled earlier this year that a political committee run by the wife of political prosecutor Gene Jarussi violated campaign finance regulations during the 2016 campaign. As part of a settlement agreement, Mrs. Jarussi admitted to multiple violations and has been fined by the Commissioner. Neighbors for Responsible Legislators Read More…

Kalispell resumes job search for top cop

The city of Kalispell has resumed its search for a new police chief. The city suspended its search in June after it didn’t interview any of the candidates who submitted applications. On Tuesday City Manager Doug Russell said the city wants to have a new chief in place as soon as possible, but said interviews Read More…

Governor Bullock says I-185 is good for Montanans

BILLINGS, Mont. – Governor Steve Bullock visited Billings Monday afternoon to discuss his thoughts on Initiative 185. He spoke at Billings Clinic with the main focus on improved healthcare. I-185 would increase taxes on all tobacco products including e-cigarettes and vaping products. That revenue would be used to fund the expansion of Medicaid. Bullock said, Read More…