(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of the Interior on Tuesday approved expansion of coal mining in Montana, marking the second largest coal expansion since President Donald Trump took office in January as 33.75 million tons of federal coal will be recovered, 300 jobs ensured, and a million homes powered by the decision. The Read More…
Montana’s unemployment rate held steady at a remarkably low 2.8% in June, marking the ninth consecutive month below 3% and extending a historic run of four straight years with unemployment at or below 3.4%, according to Governor Greg Gianforte. “With more Montanans working now than ever before and historically low unemployment, we’re seeing the results Read More…
The S&P 500 rose 2.3% for the week, its best five-day stretch since early June. The Nasdaq Composite surged 3.1%, driven by blowout results from Alphabet (GOOGL) and Tesla (TSLA), while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added a more modest 1.4%, hampered by lagging industrials and healthcare names. Tech Earnings Deliver — and Then Some Read More…
Small business owners across the nation are showing renewed confidence in the economy, according to CNBC’s latest Small Business Survey, coinciding with the implementation of President Donald J. Trump’s landmark One Big Beautiful Bill and his broader pro-growth policies. The survey reveals a significant upswing in optimism: Nearly half of small business owners now rate Read More…
Expanding Opportunity Logo with QR code for Fantuan Asian food delivery service in the Silicon Valley, Mountain View, California, January 3, 2021. Smith Collection/gado | Archive Photos | Getty Images NEW YORK – When Kelly Wu feels sick and wants a delivery of congee, the Chinese porridge she grew up eating, she opts for a Read More…
Currently, many pass-through businesses use a workaround — the pass-through entity, or PTE, tax — to bypass the $10,000 limit on the federal deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT. The House-approved bill could block certain pass-through businesses from using the popular state-level tax break. However, this provision could still face changes amid Read More…
(The Center Square) – American colleges are not preparing students for the workforce, according to a recent poll, with hiring managers saying many graduates are entitled, easily offended, and on their phones too much. A May release on the Resume.org poll said that “the class of 2025 college graduates [are] entering a difficult job market. Read More…
Isshiki Matcha is the latest business venture of 25-year-old Angel Zheng, who started her career as a fashion influencer. Zheng credits the Japanese concept of “ikigai” for helping her find purpose and success. Angel Zheng at Isshiki Matcha in New York, NY on May 21, 2025. Lisa Kailai Han | CNBC Angel Zheng is relying Read More…
For 2025, the Section 199A deduction for qualified business income, or QBI, is worth up to 20% of eligible revenue, with some limitations. This applies to so-called pass-through businesses, including sole proprietors, partnerships and S-corporations, along with some trusts and estates. The House Republican bill would make the deduction permanent, raise the maximum tax break Read More…
We can thank pollinators for at least every third bite of food we eat. Approximately 75% of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of our food crops rely on animal pollinators to reproduce (MT NRCS). They’re essential not only for fruits and vegetables, but also for crops that provide us with spices, medicines, raw materials, Read More…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
The Trump administration trade deal with China which paused the steepest tariffs on Chinese goods is not offering much relief to importers that face “stacking” of multiple import taxes sending the true cost well above 30%. From apparel to footwear, swimsuits to backpacks, tariff bills range from 40%-70%. Walmart said this week that prices will Read More…
The Gallatin Valley Farm Fair hosted more than 1,100 local fourth grades earlier this month. The annual event gives local students a chance to experience agriculture and livestock and working with the land.
Small Business Playbook Events Women business owners express more concern about inflation, the economy, and a potential recession than male counterparts, according to the latest CNBC|SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey for Q2 2025. Approval ratings of President Trump and his tariffs policy are both much lower among women who own businesses than among male small business Read More…
Founding Members CNBC CFO Council Just 30% of small business owners said they would rate the current state of the economy as excellent or good, according to the latest quarterly CNBC|SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey. While inflation and consumer demand continue to roil small business owners, it’s the threat of the potential Trump tariffs that is Read More…
Harnessing the power of the wind goes back millenniums. Wind is kinetic energy created by the sun and earth’s rotation, creating air currents. Sailors used it to fill their sails on journeys across seas. By the 1000 AD, windmills were used to pump seawater to make salt in Sicily and China. By the 1180s, windmills Read More…
(The Center Square) – The Trump administration is continuing to reverse Biden administration energy policies, including its moratorium on new oil and natural gas lease sales on federal land and offshore waters. In response to President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Unleashing American Energy,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued an order to reduce regulatory burdens and Read More…
DHL Express, the international shipping division of Germany’s Deutsche Post, will suspend global business-to-consumer shipments valued over $800 to individuals in the United States starting April 21. The move comes in response to recent changes in U.S. customs regulations that have increased processing times for high-value shipments. The announcement was posted on the company’s website, Read More…
The U.S. Interior Department announced Friday that it is opening the public comment process for a new five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program, potentially paving the way for expanded drilling in the Arctic and other previously restricted areas. The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to boost domestic energy production. The Read More…
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) announced it will release its first-quarter 2025 financial results after market close on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The company will host a live conference call and webcast the following day, Thursday, May 8, at 11 a.m. EDT to discuss its earnings and operational highlights. Investors and analysts who wish to Read More…
Alpha Omega Disaster Restoration, a leading provider of damage restoration services in Billings, Montana, has launched a new website designed to improve user experience and deliver more comprehensive information to residential and commercial customers. The updated site is now integrated within the main platform of Alpha Omega’s parent company, FLEET Response—a national network of local Read More…
U.S. banking regulators on Friday approved Capital One’s $35.3 billion acquisition of Discover Financial Services, clearing the way for the creation of the nation’s eighth-largest bank by assets insured by the federal government. The merger, one of the largest in the financial sector in recent years, has drawn sharp criticism from consumer advocates and lawmakers Read More…
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, known for his outsized bets and outspoken commentary, has been a lightning rod in 2025, navigating a turbulent market landscape while wielding influence in both finance and politics. His Pershing Square Capital Management’s portfolio is down nearly 14% year-to-date, a rare stumble for the activist investor, yet his high-profile Read More…
Hank’s Reno Junction Travel Plaza sits at the busy intersection of Wyoming Highways 387 and 59, making it a strategic stop for travelers, truckers and coal miners working at the nearby North Antelope Rochelle Mine. When Peabody Energy announced Tuesday it planned to ramp up production at the mine, Hank Pridgeon — the namesake of Read More…
NorthWestern Energy has reached key settlement agreements with several major stakeholders in its ongoing regulatory rate review for electric and natural gas services in Montana. The agreements, if approved by the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC), would result in modest increases in residential utility bills, helping to fund continued investment in safe and reliable energy Read More…
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., announced plans to appeal part of a recent U.S. federal court ruling in the Department of Justice’s antitrust case against the tech giant. The move follows a decision on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who found that Google had willfully acquired and maintained monopoly power in the Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy to officially cut the ribbon on Amazon’s new 50,000-square-foot delivery station in Belgrade. The state-of-the-art facility is part of Amazon’s continued expansion in Montana, representing a $27 million investment and creating dozens of jobs in Gallatin County. “Montana is open for business, and Amazon’s Read More…
The U.S. stock market endured another turbulent week, with major indexes grappling with persistent volatility driven by ongoing trade policy uncertainties, particularly surrounding President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite all posted losses, reflecting investor concerns over the economic fallout from escalating global trade tensions. The week Read More…
For some Canadians, President Donald Trump’s tariffs may mean an erosion of trust with trade partners. Canadian national pride has sparked resistance and inspired action from small businesses. Canadian entrepreneurs are deciding which side of the border will absorb the costs of new tariffs. Close-up of ‘Shop Canadian’ poster displayed in a local storefront in Read More…
On Saturday, the Trump administration said it would exempt technology products like the iPhone, PCs and chips from much of the recently imposed Chinese tariffs. But for most businesses in the U.S., orders from China are being canceled and Chinese freight being shipped could be abandoned. Without a wider pause in the trade war with Read More…
University of Montana students interested in entrepreneurship and starting their own businesses have a space to gather and work together on their new ventures. Each Tuesday afternoon this spring semester students meet in UM’s Startup Studio, a room on the third floor of the University Center where students of all majors explore their business ideas Read More…
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER) announced Friday it has been awarded an exclusive-use contract by the State of Montana to provide wildfire detection and mapping services using a specially modified Daher Kodiak 100 aircraft. The contract follows a competitive bidding process and marks a major milestone in Bridger’s expansion of its aerial firefighting Read More…
SITKA Gear, a leader in high-performance hunting and outdoor apparel, announced a series of strategic changes to its sales team aimed at aligning talent with the company’s evolving business priorities. The adjustments include the addition of three new sales representatives and a significant territory expansion for a veteran team member, all designed to strengthen retail Read More…
Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: GBCI) announced Friday that it has received all necessary regulatory approvals for its planned acquisition of Bank of Idaho Holding Co. (OTCQX: BOID), clearing a major hurdle in the completion of the deal. The acquisition, which includes Bank of Idaho and its subsidiaries, is now scheduled to close on April 30, Read More…
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has taken a preliminary step toward potentially reversing boardroom restrictions imposed on Chevron and Exxon Mobil as part of their recent major acquisitions, signaling a shift from policies enacted under the Biden administration. The restrictions, which were key conditions for approving the oil giants’ multi-billion-dollar mergers, barred specific executives from Read More…
In a dramatic move to get ahead of looming U.S. tariffs, Apple has airlifted approximately 600 tons of iPhones—equivalent to around 1.5 million devices—from India to the United States, according to a report by Reuters. The unprecedented shipment is part of the tech giant’s effort to stabilize supply and avoid potential price hikes that could Read More…
U.S. egg prices hit another record high in March costing $6.227 per dozen on average, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Egg prices are up from $5.897 per dozen in February and $4.146 per dozen at the end of 2024.
President Trump’s new country-specific tariffs, on top of existing trade levies, will raise the cost of imports for U.S. businesses by an exponential amount, though in an announcement during the day Wednesday Trump said some countries, excluding China, would receive a 90-day reprieve. Rick Muskat, president of family-owned shoe retailer Deer Stags which imports its Read More…