Featured Articles in News

Second Amendment Foundation Files Second Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of National Firearms Act

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) announced Wednesday the filing of a new lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act (NFA), seeking to eliminate registration requirements for certain firearms. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas under case number 2:25-cv-00223, the case — Jensen v. ATF — names the Read More…

Knudsen Leads 20-State Coalition Supporting Trump’s Response to Portland Riots

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a coalition of 20 states in backing President Donald Trump’s deployment of federal and National Guard forces to Portland, Oregon, in response to violent protests and threats against federal officers. The coalition filed an amicus brief Wednesday in the case State of Oregon and the City of Portland Read More…

Gianforte, Montana Chamber to Host Energy Summit in Bozeman

Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Chamber of Commerce will host the 2nd Annual Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit on Thursday, October 16, in Bozeman, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and energy experts to focus on the theme of unleashing American-made energy in Montana. “With rising demand on our energy grid, Montana must continue Read More…

Kurt Alme Confirmed as U.S. Attorney

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kurt Alme to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, returning the Great Falls native to a post he previously held from 2017 to 2020. A seasoned prosecutor and respected public servant, Alme brings decades of experience in both state and federal law enforcement. His confirmation drew strong Read More…

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Montana State’s TechLink Center signs five-year agreement with Veterans Affairs

he TechLink Center at Montana State University recently secured a five-year partnership agreement to help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs move new technologies from its research centers to the commercial marketplace, a process known as tech transfer. Since 2018, TechLink’s role in establishing commercial partnerships for VA research interests has been renewed annually. This Read More…

Idaho Man Charged in Montana in Alleged Crypto Ponzi Scheme

The Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) and the Missoula County Attorney’s Office have charged an Idaho man with conspiracy to defraud investors, including elderly Montanans, through a scheme tied to cryptocurrency investments. According to charging documents, Shawn Cutting, an Idaho resident, along with two unidentified co-conspirators — one from Idaho and one from Read More…

Second Amendment Foundation Files Second Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of National Firearms Act

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) announced Wednesday the filing of a new lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act (NFA), seeking to eliminate registration requirements for certain firearms. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas under case number 2:25-cv-00223, the case — Jensen v. ATF — names the Read More…

Knudsen Leads 20-State Coalition Supporting Trump’s Response to Portland Riots

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a coalition of 20 states in backing President Donald Trump’s deployment of federal and National Guard forces to Portland, Oregon, in response to violent protests and threats against federal officers. The coalition filed an amicus brief Wednesday in the case State of Oregon and the City of Portland Read More…

Office of Public Defender Director Brett Schandelson to Step Down

The Montana Department of Administration announced Wednesday that Brett Schandelson, Director of the Office of Public Defender (OPD), will step down from his position effective November 19, 2025. Schandelson, who has served the agency for nearly eight years, began his tenure as Development and Operations Bureau Chief before being appointed Director in 2022. During his Read More…

Gianforte, Montana Chamber to Host Energy Summit in Bozeman

Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Chamber of Commerce will host the 2nd Annual Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit on Thursday, October 16, in Bozeman, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and energy experts to focus on the theme of unleashing American-made energy in Montana. “With rising demand on our energy grid, Montana must continue Read More…

Kurt Alme Confirmed as U.S. Attorney

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kurt Alme to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, returning the Great Falls native to a post he previously held from 2017 to 2020. A seasoned prosecutor and respected public servant, Alme brings decades of experience in both state and federal law enforcement. His confirmation drew strong Read More…

Montana Coal Board Awards $1.8 Million for Public Safety and Infrastructure Projects

The Montana Department of Commerce announced that more than $1.8 million in grant funding has been awarded to six Montana communities to support critical public safety and infrastructure projects in coal-impacted areas. The funding comes from the Montana Coal Board, which assists local governments and schools in addressing the impacts of coal development and energy Read More…

Governor Gianforte Praises $1.5 Million Expansion of Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Governor Greg Gianforte is celebrating a major investment to expand the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery, ensuring that Montana’s veterans and their families continue to have a lasting place of honor. “We have a solemn responsibility to honor and remember the veterans who have served our country and passed on,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With this Read More…

Made by a Griz for Grizzlies: How a UM Alum Invented Bear Spray

Before bear spray, encounters between people and bears often ended in bullets. That changed when graduate student Carrie Hunt developed the life-saving deterrent at the University of Montana in the 1980s. Over 40 years later, bear spray is one of the most important tools for human-wildlife coexistence. https://bigskyheadlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MVD-office15.mp4 Hunt grew up in Chile, where she Read More…

ICE arrests Iowa schools superintendent with criminal record, no work authorization

(The Center Square) – Iowa’s largest school district is holding an emergency meeting Saturday night after its superintendent was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Des Moines agents. ICE arrested Des Moines Public School Superintendent Ian Andre Roberts on Friday. A citizen of Guyana, Roberts has a criminal record and has been living in the Read More…

UM Accounting Students Win National Scholarships

Two University of Montana accounting students recently won national scholarships geared toward outstanding graduates considering careers in auditing. Ella Pheifer and Brandi Ashford each earned a $15,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. They were among a select group from across the country to receive this recognition for the 2025-26 academic year. Pheifer Read More…

Knudsen Launches Multi-State Investigation into Big Tech Renewable Energy Claims

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, joined by 15 other state attorneys general, announced Wednesday the launch of an investigation into major technology companies over what they allege are misleading claims about being powered entirely by renewable energy. In a letter sent to executives at Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon, Knudsen said the companies’ reliance on Read More…

Gianforte Signs Trade Agreement with Taiwan Flour Millers

Governor Greg Gianforte on Monday welcomed a delegation from the Taiwan Flour Millers Association (TFMA) to Montana for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that strengthens the state’s long-standing trade relationship with Taiwan. “For over forty years, Montana and Taiwan have enjoyed a truly remarkable friendship and trade relationship, built on a shared Read More…

Auditor’s Office Blocks $21.6 Million in Insurance Rate Hikes

Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, the Montana Auditor’s Office, also known as the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI), denied millions of dollars in proposed insurance rate increases, shielding tens of thousands of Montanans from higher premiums. During the 12-month period, the agency’s Insurance Rates Bureau reviewed and closed 3,551 insurance rate Read More…

Department of Energy returning $13B climate agenda funding to taxpayers

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Energy will be returning to American taxpayers $13 billion in “unobligated wasteful spending” that was originally intended for former President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. In response, Larry Behrens from Power the Future told The Center Square that “by returning $13 billion, the Department of Energy under President Read More…

Watchdog says Biden Education Department defied court order on Title IX enforcement

(The Center Square) – A watchdog group says the U.S. Department of Education ignored a federal court order on the Biden administration’s expansion of Title IX protections and is dragging its feet on a report about it. Empower Oversight said a whistleblower came forward showing the Department’s Office for Civil Rights continued to process complaints Read More…

Congressman Zinke’s Announces Fall Mobile Office Hours Across Western Montana

Montana’s First Congressional District, giving residents in rural communities the opportunity to meet with staff for help on a range of federal matters. The mobile office hours are designed to assist constituents with issues involving federal agencies, grant applications, permitting, and other government services. Staff can also provide guidance on passports and visas, veterans’ affairs, Read More…

Gianforte Appoints Members Energy Task Force

Less than a week after launching his Unleashing American-Made Energy Task Force, Governor Greg Gianforte announced the 20 members appointed to guide Montana’s energy future. “Montana’s future and the prosperity of our people require access to affordable and reliable energy,” Gianforte said. “Just as important, our nation’s security requires us to be not only energy Read More…

Gianforte, U.S. Education Secretary Visit Bozeman

Students at Morning Star School in Bozeman had an unusual start to their Friday morning: a visit from Governor Greg Gianforte and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. McMahon is traveling to all 50 states as part of her “Returning Education to the States” tour, an initiative aligned with President Donald Trump’s goal of shifting Read More…

Five Indicted for Transporting Contraband to South Dakota State Penitentiary Inmates

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Wednesday that five people, including a former correctional officer and two current inmates, have been indicted for transporting contraband into the South Dakota State Penitentiary. “Transporting illegal items into the prison makes the facility less safe for staff and inmates,” Jackley said. “We will not tolerate such activity Read More…

Superintendent Degenfelder Joins U.S. Secretary of Education McMahon

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder joined U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Tuesday at Jackson Hole Classical Academy as part of the nationwide Returning Education to the States 50-State Tour. The initiative celebrates the shift of educational decision-making from the federal level back to individual states. “Wyoming students have consistently outperformed national learning Read More…

Sioux Falls School District Opens First SmartLab

The Sioux Falls School District marked a major milestone on Tuesday, August 19, with the ribbon-cutting of its first-ever SmartLab at the newly built Marcella LeBeau Elementary School. The state-of-the-art STEM learning environment is designed to give students hands-on, project-based learning experiences that foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking while preparing them for future careers. Read More…

Gianforte Honors Shelby Veteran

Governor Greg Gianforte recognized Sergeant Bob Longcake of Shelby with the 2024 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation, honoring both his military service during the Vietnam War and his decades of dedication to veterans and his community. “Sergeant Longcake exemplifies the very best of Montana’s veterans,” Gianforte said. “From his courageous service in Vietnam to his tireless Read More…

Rural community leaders invited to Montana State’s Reimagining Rural Roadshow

The Reimagining Rural program, an initiative of Montana State University Extension, will host the second annual Reimagining Rural Roadshow Oct. 1-2 in Glasgow. Designed as a one-stop connection point, the roadshow brings state and regional resource providers together with rural community leaders in a rural setting. Launched in 2019, Reimagining Rural is dedicated to providing Read More…

Auditor James Brown Joins Call for SEC to Investigate CCP-Linked Insurers

Montana State Auditor James Brown has joined elected leaders and financial officers nationwide urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate the delisting of Chinese companies that fail to meet U.S. anti-fraud and transparency standards. The move is aimed at protecting American investors and strengthening national security. “Montanans should not be forced to roll Read More…

North Dakota Department of Commerce Relaunches Program to Support Entrepreneurs

The North Dakota Department of Commerce has relaunched Innovate ND, a voucher-based reimbursement program providing up to $50,000 to help entrepreneurs validate business ideas and accelerate growth. The program is divided into two six-month phases, each offering up to $25,000 in reimbursements, which participants must complete within 12 months. “Innovate ND is more than funding Read More…

Daines Calls for Boosting Tribal Energy Development

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R–Mont.) emphasized the importance of expanding energy production in tribal communities during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing this week. Speaking with David Conrad, Acting Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, Daines highlighted the potential for tribal energy projects to strengthen sovereignty and fuel Read More…

Science Olympiad state tournament set for Feb. 19

Registration opens in early October for middle and high school teams for the Montana Science Olympiad state tournament, which is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Montana State University. MSU’s Science Math Resource Center, which is part of the College of Education, Health and Human Development, runs the annual statewide competition and will host Read More…

North Dakota Launches $7.5 Million Grant Program to Advance Autonomous Agriculture

The North Dakota Department of Commerce has announced the 2025 Autonomous Agriculture Grant Program, a competitive funding opportunity offering up to $7.5 million to support transformative projects that advance autonomous agriculture in the state. The program is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation agricultural technologies, infrastructure, and workforce solutions. Funding may be Read More…