Russia’s state communications watchdog warned Friday that it may impose a full nationwide ban on WhatsApp if the platform fails to comply with Russian data and security laws, according to multiple Russian news agencies. The regulator, Roskomnadzor, issued the threat amid escalating tensions between Moscow and foreign-owned tech platforms. In August, Russian authorities began restricting Read More…
Sixty-four new officers who will serve in 41 agencies across Montana graduated Friday from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), part of the Montana Department of Justice. The academy provides both basic and advanced training for state, county, city, and tribal law enforcement officers. Attorney General Austin Knudsen attended the ceremony to congratulate and address Read More…
The Montana Historical Society (MTHS) announced today that its $60 million fundraising campaign for the Montana Heritage Center has been successfully completed, thanks to a final $165,000 gift from the Oakland Family Foundation of Great Falls. The state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to open to the public on December 3 with free admission. After MTHS reported Read More…
(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump said Thursday he will pause migration from some countries following the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. The suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 under a Biden-era immigration program for Afghans fleeing the Taliban movement. Read More…
Russia’s state communications watchdog warned Friday that it may impose a full nationwide ban on WhatsApp if the platform fails to comply with Russian data and security laws, according to multiple Russian news agencies. The regulator, Roskomnadzor, issued the threat amid escalating tensions between Moscow and foreign-owned tech platforms. In August, Russian authorities began restricting Read More…
Sixty-four new officers who will serve in 41 agencies across Montana graduated Friday from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), part of the Montana Department of Justice. The academy provides both basic and advanced training for state, county, city, and tribal law enforcement officers. Attorney General Austin Knudsen attended the ceremony to congratulate and address Read More…
The Montana Historical Society (MTHS) announced today that its $60 million fundraising campaign for the Montana Heritage Center has been successfully completed, thanks to a final $165,000 gift from the Oakland Family Foundation of Great Falls. The state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to open to the public on December 3 with free admission. After MTHS reported Read More…
(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump said Thursday he will pause migration from some countries following the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. The suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 under a Biden-era immigration program for Afghans fleeing the Taliban movement. Read More…
The University of North Dakota is seeking candidates for the position of Dean of its School of Law, reopening the search for a leader to guide the institution into the next phase of growth and development. Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will serve as the chief executive officer Read More…
Starbucks’ workers’ union significantly widened its ongoing strike on Black Friday, extending the walkout to more than 120 stores nationwide—nearly double the number that began the action earlier this month—amid demands for better pay and improved staffing levels. The strike, which the union says is now the longest in Starbucks’ history, began on Nov. 13 Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte are inviting Montanans to the 2025 State Capitol Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Monday, December 1. “We’re excited to welcome Montanans back to the Capitol to kick off the Christmas season,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Susan and I hope families from across the state will join us, enjoy Read More…
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Eric Hastings, a Montana State University alumnus and founder of a national organization that serves traumatically injured servicemen and women, will receive an honorary doctorate degree from MSU during the university’s fall commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 12, at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Today, the Montana Board of Regents approved Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced the creation of a new Advisory Task Force Committee to review the state’s Open Meetings Laws. The group is scheduled to hold its first meeting Tuesday, Nov. 25, in Pierre. This new task force differs from the South Dakota Open Meetings Commission, a five-member body of state attorneys Read More…
Fargo North High School’s Law and Justice students took a trip to Bismarck on Thursday, November 20th, for a firsthand look at the judicial process. Led by Social Studies teacher Melissa Evensen, the students attended a live oral argument at the state Supreme Court and had the opportunity to meet with the justices. https://bigskyheadlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DOJ-Scam1.mp4 During Read More…
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday that only 776 air traffic controllers and technicians will receive $10,000 bonuses for maintaining perfect attendance during the recent government shutdown — leaving nearly 20,000 other employees without the incentive despite having worked through the same period of financial strain. The month-long shutdown pushed thousands of FAA personnel into Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen honored two Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) troopers Thursday for exceptional acts of bravery and service. Trooper Jourdon Gulick received the MHP’s highest honor, the Award of Valor, for his courageous actions during a fiery vehicle rollover in 2024. Trooper Nick Wade earned the Attorney General’s Award of Commendation for going Read More…
During a strategic trade mission to Japan, Governor Greg Gianforte signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to explore potential investments in data center and energy infrastructure projects in Montana. “Montana offers affordable, reliable energy, a skilled workforce, and a welcoming environment for innovation,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This agreement with Mitsubishi Read More…
NorthWestern Energy customers will see lower utility bills and receive refunds with interest after the Montana Public Service Commission finalized a sweeping decision in the company’s 2024 electric and natural gas rate case, rejecting $43 million of the utility’s proposed costs while approving construction of a new Yellowstone County power plant. The decision caps a Read More…
Cryptocurrency markets tumbled Friday, with Bitcoin falling to a seven-month low of $80,553, approaching a key technical level that analysts warn could trigger steeper losses. Ether also dropped to a four-month low as digital assets led a wider retreat from riskier investments. https://bigskyheadlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/MVD1.mp4 The selloff reflects growing investor caution over high valuations in the tech Read More…
The Montana Historical Society is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the second wave of its History and Civics Travel Grant program. Thanks to generous support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, the Society has already awarded funding to 46 schools across 23 Montana counties—from Eureka to Hardin—making hands-on history accessible Read More…
A University of Montana student and ROTC cadet, who is serving as UM’s student government president, recently was named a finalist for the oldest and most renowned scholarship in the world. Buddy Wilson, of Eden, North Carolina, a senior studying environmental science with minors in international development and climate change studies, is the seventh student Read More…
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that found Texas’ 2026 congressional redistricting plan—supported by former President Donald Trump—likely discriminates on the basis of race. The emergency order, signed by Justice Samuel Alito, will remain in effect for the next few days as the court considers whether the new map, Read More…
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced a major legal victory Monday after a federal court dismissed a lawsuit filed by The Satanic Temple challenging the state’s pro-life laws. U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ruled that the group’s constitutional claims were legally flawed and could not be remedied through amendment, dismissing the case with prejudice. Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined Emmy-winning TV host Mike Rowe, NeighborWorks Great Falls, and Wells Fargo this week to celebrate progress on the Great Falls High School House Program and announce a $200,000 investment from Wells Fargo to support the hands-on workforce development initiative. The governor visited the project site to receive updates from student builders Read More…
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) submitted the state’s application Tuesday for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, seeking up to $200 million per year for five years — a total of $1 billion — to revamp healthcare delivery in rural communities. The funding request follows Governor Brad Little’s Executive Order 2025-08, the Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte on Monday announced the 58 Montanans selected to receive the 2025 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation, an annual honor recognizing veterans who have demonstrated exceptional service to both their country and their communities. “Our veterans answered the call to serve our nation and continue to answer the call to serve their communities,” Gov. Read More…
President Donald Trump has purchased at least $82 million worth of corporate and municipal bonds between late August and early October, according to newly released federal financial disclosures. The information, published Saturday by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, details more than 175 financial transactions conducted by the president from August 28 through October 2. Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has spearheaded a 22-state coalition supporting President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard units to Chicago in response to violent unrest and threats against federal law enforcement personnel. The multistate coalition filed an amicus brief Monday in Donald J. Trump, President of the United States v. State of Illinois Read More…
The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) has announced the hiring of Chloe Valentine as its new Southwest Regional Director, serving Lincoln, Sweetwater, and Uinta counties. Valentine brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to fostering economic growth in Wyoming, reinforcing the WBC’s mission to reverse economic decline and build a prosperous future. A native of Greybull Read More…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is inviting public comment on the state’s 2022-2024 Draft Water Quality Integrated Report and a new pH Assessment Method for Streams and Rivers. In addition, DEQ has opened a call for data and surface water assessment requests for the next integrated report cycle, which will be submitted to Read More…
The Montana Historical Society’s Library and Archives has announced the return of its research fellowship programs in 2026, following a temporary pause during construction of the Montana Heritage Center. The fellowships will resume as the newly renovated Larry Len and LeAnne Peterson Library and Archives reopens to the public in spring 2026. Since 1983, the Read More…
The Wyoming Military Department honored Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees for their service and contributions during a series of award ceremonies held Nov. 3 and 4 at the Joint Forces Readiness Center, the 153rd Airlift Wing, and Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center. Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, Wyoming’s Adjutant General, praised award recipients for their dedication Read More…
Senator Steve Daines underscored the importance of strong economic and strategic ties between the United States and Central Asia during the C5+1 Tenth Anniversary Business Conference this week, delivering both the opening and closing remarks at the event. Over the past 20 months, Daines has visited all five Central Asian nations, meeting with their presidents Read More…
A federal judge on Friday permanently blocked President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, ruling that the president “exceeded his authority” by federalizing the forces to protect an ICE facility amid ongoing protests. The ruling extends an earlier temporary injunction and underscores judicial limits on the domestic use of military forces. The decision Read More…
(The Center Square) – With Chicago’s downtown office vacancy rate now at a record-high 28%, Illinois Policy Institute researcher LyLena Estabine says city policymakers have become their own worse enemy when it comes to addressing the area’s changing demographics. New data shows Loop vacancies ballooned over the recent third quarter as post-pandemic work trends continue Read More…
U.S. markets lost momentum this week as investors stepped back from recent highs, digesting mixed economic signals and growing uncertainty around the outlook for interest rates and growth. After several weeks of gains, the S&P 500 fell roughly 2.4% for the week, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped about 3%, its steepest decline since April. The Read More…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) have released a draft programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) for 318 Authorization applications and are accepting public comments through Dec. 8. The draft is available on DEQ’s website. The 318 Authorization regulates short-term turbidity, or water cloudiness caused by suspended particles, Read More…
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced this week that the Automation Tax Credit (ATC) Program Portal is now open for applications. The program is designed to support primary sector businesses that invest in automation to improve productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in manufacturing and animal agriculture. Authorized under N.D.C.C. § 57-38-01.41, the ATC allows eligible Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Wednesday that nine individuals—eight men and one woman—have been indicted by a Davison County Grand Jury for their alleged involvement in a cocaine distribution network operating in the county. Three of the suspects are also facing immigration-related investigations. The indictments, returned on Oct. 29, encompass 36 felony charges Read More…
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) over a data breach that allegedly exposed the sensitive personal and medical information of hundreds of thousands of members. The filing comes as Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown launched a separate investigation into the Read More…
Wyoming PBS and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West have launched a new partnership aimed at sharing authentic stories of the American West through a combination of history, storytelling, and visual media. Their inaugural production, From the Center of the West: A Conversation with Authors Dr. Paul Hutton and Peter Cozzens, features an in-depth Read More…
In a game packed with big plays, wild momentum swings, and a finish few will forget, the No. 2 Montana Grizzlies held off Eastern Washington 29–24 on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium to remain unbeaten on the season. The win pushed Montana to 10-0 overall and 6-0 in Big Sky Conference play, keeping the Grizzlies firmly Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced Wednesday that he is donating a quarter of his annual salary to The Producer Partnership, a Montana nonprofit dedicated to providing locally raised beef and other animal proteins to families in need across the state. The Producer Partnership, founded in 2020, works with Montana livestock producers to accept donated animals, process Read More…
(The Center Square) – Dick Cheney, vice president to former President George W. Bush, has died. He was 84. His family was with him Monday evening and said the cause of death was due to complications of pneumonia and cardiovascular disease. Cheney served as the 46th vice president, often being referred to as the “most Read More…