(The Center Square) – Gov. Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to investigate potential Medicaid fraud In Texas. Abbott on Friday directed the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General and Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to investigate potential Medicaid fraud to safeguard taxpayer money, maintain access for eligible Texans, Read More…
(The Center Square) – Republican U.S. senators, led by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, have introduced the ICE Protection Act to increase penalties for those who assault and injure U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The bill was filed as an unprecedented amount of assaults continue against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers as they perform Read More…
A ballot initiative designed to keep corporations from spending on elections in Montana is a little too ambitious, the state Supreme Court has found. The new proposals included in Ballot Issue 4 violate the rules for wording such initiatives, the court ruled. State Attorney General Austin Knudsen made that argument to the justices over a Read More…
(The Center Square) – The second largest natural gas producer in northwest Louisiana and east Texas has sold its assets to Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi. Aethon, a Dallas-based company that operates in the prolific Haynesville shale formation, agreed to a deal worth approximately $7.5 billion, according to an announcement on Friday. Mitsubishi agreed to pay $5.2 Read More…
(The Center Square) – Gov. Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to investigate potential Medicaid fraud In Texas. Abbott on Friday directed the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General and Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to investigate potential Medicaid fraud to safeguard taxpayer money, maintain access for eligible Texans, Read More…
(The Center Square) – Republican U.S. senators, led by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, have introduced the ICE Protection Act to increase penalties for those who assault and injure U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The bill was filed as an unprecedented amount of assaults continue against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers as they perform Read More…
A ballot initiative designed to keep corporations from spending on elections in Montana is a little too ambitious, the state Supreme Court has found. The new proposals included in Ballot Issue 4 violate the rules for wording such initiatives, the court ruled. State Attorney General Austin Knudsen made that argument to the justices over a Read More…
(The Center Square) – The second largest natural gas producer in northwest Louisiana and east Texas has sold its assets to Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi. Aethon, a Dallas-based company that operates in the prolific Haynesville shale formation, agreed to a deal worth approximately $7.5 billion, according to an announcement on Friday. Mitsubishi agreed to pay $5.2 Read More…
Food is an essential part of everyday life, and that is no different for warfighters. Fueling soldiers to fight and win our nation’s wars is a top priority, and the Army has several initiatives underway to ensure consistent access to healthy, affordable food. “The Army is focused on creating a positive seismic shift in food Read More…
Wyoming voters already basically decided they are pro-choice, the state Supreme Court has ruled in a decision that voids subsequent pro-life laws implemented when Roe v. Wade was overturned. The court struck the Life is a Human Right Act, which made most abortions a criminal act. They are a “fundamental right” and a health care Read More…
The Rural Health Transformation Program, funded through the 2025 Working Families Tax Cuts Act, is set to deliver the largest-ever federal investment in rural healthcare, providing $50 billion over five years to strengthen access, modernize facilities, and support the rural health workforce. The program, administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), allocated Read More…
President Donald J. Trump announced key appointments to implement Phase Two of his Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, marking a major step toward stabilization, reconstruction, and long-term governance in the region. The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) will be led by Dr. Ali Sha’ath, a technocratic leader with extensive experience Read More…
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana is calling on President Donald Trump to prioritize improved market access for Montana pulse crop producers in any future trade agreements with India, citing recent tariffs that have placed U.S. farmers at a competitive disadvantage. Daines, joined by Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, sent a letter to the Read More…
Sen. Tim Sheehy announced that Montana projects will receive $12.2 million under a federal funding bill passed by the U.S. Senate and sent to President Donald Trump for signature. The measure is part of a recently approved appropriations minibus and directs funding toward higher education, public safety, water and wastewater infrastructure, and local law enforcement Read More…
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled this week that Anaconda police officers did not violate the Fourth Amendment when they entered a man’s home without a warrant during a suspected mental health emergency, delivering a major legal victory aligned with arguments advanced by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and sharply rejecting a dissent by Montana Read More…
Gov. Greg Gianforte recognized ten Montana youth during a ceremony at the State Capitol, celebrating the winners of his fourth annual Youth Hunting Story Contest and highlighting the state’s long-standing hunting traditions. The contest, created by Gianforte in 2022, is open to Montana resident youth and apprentice hunters between the ages of 10 and 17. Read More…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has announced a new low-interest loan program aimed at reducing energy costs and improving efficiency in existing multifamily affordable housing across the state. The Multifamily Energy Retrofit Loan program, known as MERL, will provide financing to owners of multifamily housing facilities seeking to make energy efficiency upgrades. The program Read More…
Montana’s unemployment rate increased to 3.3 percent in November, continuing a streak of more than four consecutive years with unemployment at or below 3.4 percent, state officials announced. The state’s jobless rate remained well below the national unemployment rate of 4.6 percent for November, leaving Montana about 1.3 percentage points lower than the U.S. average. Read More…
MoFi, a nonprofit community development financial institution serving Western states, has received an $85 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. The award comes as part of a record $10 billion allocation round that included 142 organizations nationwide. The New Markets Tax Read More…
Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon is facing a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment of emergency personnel stemming from a November traffic stop in Broadwater County, a case that has drawn added scrutiny because of her public comments and separate, pending ethics complaints. McKinnon, 66, was cited after a Broadwater County sheriff’s deputy alleged she Read More…
NorthWestern Energy Group (NASDAQ: NWE) is moving forward with plans to merge with Black Hills Corp., a deal that could reshape the regional utility landscape, while Wall Street analysts weigh in on the stock. JP Morgan analyst Aidan Kelly maintained a Neutral rating on NorthWestern Energy but raised the price target from $60 to $61, Read More…
OpenAI and SoftBank Group Corp. are jointly investing $1 billion in SB Energy, the infrastructure company helping build out the United States’ next generation of artificial intelligence data centers. Under the agreement, OpenAI and SoftBank will each contribute $500 million to support SB Energy’s growth as a data center developer and operator, the companies announced Read More…
A growing field of Democrats is lining up to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke in Montana’s western U.S. House district, as the party looks to mount a competitive bid in a seat national analysts still rate as safely Republican. On Thursday, Ryan Busse, an author, climate activist and gun control advocate from Kansas, announced Read More…
House Speaker Johnson spoke yesterday at the kickoff of the House Republican policy summit, delivering a wide-ranging address that touched on the party’s legislative agenda, U.S. military action in Venezuela, Democratic opposition, and the sudden passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Republicans Leading on Tax Policy, Speaker Says Speaker Johnson emphasized Republican achievements on tax policy, Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Gov. Greg Gianforte on Tuesday recognized Human Trafficking Prevention Month by encouraging Montanans to learn the warning signs of human trafficking and report suspicious activity to help stop the crime. Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers—often part of organized criminal enterprises—exploit adults or children for Read More…
The White House announced Friday that the United States will begin withdrawing from a broad range of international organizations, conventions, and treaties deemed “contrary to the interests of the United States,” according to a presidential memorandum. The memorandum, issued to the heads of executive departments and agencies, follows Executive Order 14199, which directed a comprehensive Read More…
Berkshire Hathaway announced Friday that it has completed its $9.7 billion acquisition of OxyChem from Occidental Petroleum (OXY). OxyChem, a leading chemical manufacturer, will continue to be led by Wade Alleman, OxyChem’s president and chief executive officer, according to Berkshire Hathaway. https://bigskyheadlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MVD-office15.mp4 The acquisition expands Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio in the industrial and chemical sectors and Read More…
The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation is launching a new monthly webinar series aimed at expanding understanding of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and supporting workforce development across the state. The Apprenticeship Knowledge Series will cover a range of apprenticeship-related topics, offering education for employers, education partners, community stakeholders, and current apprenticeship sponsors. The Read More…
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced that the Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $48.9 million in loans and grants for projects across the state, supporting drinking water, wastewater, and infrastructure improvements. The funding includes $36.96 million in state loans, including $425,000 in principal forgiveness, for drinking water Read More…
An angler ice fishing for trout on Island Park Reservoir on January 3, 2026, unexpectedly caught a 5-inch Yellow Perch, a species that does not belong in the reservoir. The angler reported the catch immediately to the Citizens Against Poaching hotline. Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officers met the angler on the ice and confirmed Read More…
The Montana Department of Administration (DOA) announced a leadership change at the Office of Public Defender (OPD) today, naming Koan Mercer as the agency’s new director. Mercer will replace Brett Schandelson, who is stepping down after nearly eight years with the office. “Schandelson’s work during his time at OPD was highly impactful and effective,” DOA Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined Johnson Metal Works in Bozeman to celebrate the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities that prepare Montana students for high-demand, well-paying careers. “Apprenticeships open doors for Montanans to learn valuable skills, earn while they learn, and step directly into rewarding careers,” Gianforte said. “Thanks to employers like Johnson Metal Works, we are connecting Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen has appointed Anne Dormady as the new administrator of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), following the retirement of former administrator Joel Wendland. Dormady previously served as bureau chief for the Division of Criminal Investigation’s (DCI) Crime Information Bureau. “I am proud to appoint Anne to lead the Montana Law Enforcement Read More…
Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown announced that thousands of Montana investors will receive more than $160,000 in restitution following enforcement actions against several national brokerage firms accused of charging unreasonable commissions on certain equity transactions. The cases involve small principal equity trades conducted between May 2020 and the end Read More…
Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown issued a statement following the Montana Supreme Court’s dismissal of a complaint filed against Attorney General Austin Knudsen, calling the decision a reaffirmation of constitutional principles and the separation of powers. In his statement, Brown said the court’s ruling confirmed that the complaint was Read More…
The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) has confirmed that an animal from a Gallatin County livestock herd within Montana’s Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) tested positive for brucellosis, marking the second detection of the disease in Montana livestock in 2025. State officials said the affected herd has been placed under quarantine and an epidemiological investigation is Read More…
North Dakota has been awarded $199 million in federal funding to support the first year of a new statewide Rural Health Transformation Program aimed at strengthening health care delivery in rural communities, Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced today. The funding, awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is part of a five-year initiative Read More…
Warren Buffett, one of the most influential investors in history, has retired as chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway, marking the end of a more than six-decade run that reshaped American business and investing. Buffett, 95, officially stepped down as CEO at the start of the year, handing day-to-day leadership of the Omaha-based conglomerate to Read More…
(The Center Square) – Democratic lawmakers criticized President Donald Trump’s announcement of land strikes against Venezuela and leader Nicolas Maduro’s capture. In a post to social media, Trump announced the U.S. carried out a “large scale strike” against Venezuela, capturing Maduro and his wife. The two are in U.S. custody and charged with “narco-terrorism conspiracy, Read More…
(The Center Square) – As more is revealed about the potential daycare fraud within the Somali community in Washington state and the Department of Children, Youth & Families scrambles to respond, one large daycare provider is sharing his frustrations with The Center Square. On Monday, The Center Square visited several Somali-run home daycares in Federal Way, but Read More…
(The Center Square) – Following U.S. strikes against Venezuela resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Saturday the Maduros have been indicted in the Southern District of New York and will be tried on U.S. soil. In a social media post, Bondi confirmed Maduro and Read More…
The Montana Supreme Court has rejected a recommendation that Attorney General Austin Knudsen be temporarily suspended from office, ruling that the misconduct proceedings against him violated his due process rights. In a 149-page decision issued Wednesday, the court concluded a five-year legal dispute rooted in a broader separation-of-powers conflict between Montana’s legislative and judicial branches. Read More…
2025 was a historic year for Montana. Tim Sheehy, a former Navy Seal, joined me in the U.S. Senate, along with Troy Downing and Ryan Zinke in the U.S. House. Working together, we’ve made major strides advancing Montana priorities, from increasing our energy dominance, protecting our public lands, and supporting farmers, ranchers, veterans, and working Read More…
Wall Street finished the first full trading week of 2026 on a mixed note, with major U.S. indexes posting modest losses for the week as investors digested the end of the holiday trading lull and looked ahead to key economic data and corporate news. Stocks start the year with modest gains but weekly lossesThe Dow Read More…