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…

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…

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…

Senator Tim Sheehy (R–Mont.) visited Three Forks and Manhattan to host town halls and meet with local students to discuss leadership, service, and opportunities available through the United States Service Academies. Sheehy, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Navy SEAL officer, told students that attending a service academy can open doors to Read More…

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…

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…

The Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) welcomed 11 new troopers into its ranks Friday during the 82nd Advanced Academy graduation ceremony. The event included remarks from Attorney General Austin Knudsen and MHP Colonel Kurt Sager, followed by a formal swearing-in and badge-pinning ceremony. “I am proud to welcome 11 new troopers to the Montana Highway Patrol,” Read More…

As a project manager who specializes in campus recruiting for one of the world’s largest professional service firms, Reannon Crider insists on visiting her alma mater – the University of Montana. Crider grew up in Helena and graduated from UM in 2015 with a degree in management information systems, one of UM’s highest earning degrees, Read More…

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…

Governor Greg Gianforte this week signed an executive order creating a new Energy Task Force charged with developing strategies to expand affordable, reliable energy production in Montana. “With increasing demand on our energy grid, we must meet the challenge head-on to ensure affordable, reliable power for Montanans now and into the future,” Gianforte said. “After Read More…

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is warning Montanans about the dangers of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a powerful opioid derivative that is being sold over the counter in gas stations, vape shops, and convenience stores across the state. 7-OH is a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant and has been linked to a growing number of deaths. Read More…

Prosecutors with the Montana Attorney General’s Office on Thursday charged a 31-year-old Carter County man with three felony counts of sexual abuse of children for possession of explicit images and videos depicting a child under 12, including at least one image digitally altered using artificial intelligence. Shy Herbert McCutchan was arrested in Alzada by the Read More…

Gov. Greg Gianforte has approved $308 million in broadband deployment grants aimed at closing Montana’s digital divide, backing 32 projects that will extend high-speed internet to nearly 72,000 unserved and underserved locations across the state. The funding recommendations were presented Tuesday by the state’s Communications Advisory Commission (CAC), which voted unanimously to advance the projects Read More…

Montana Grizzly Athletics produces much more than championships and scholar student-athletes. Griz Athletics contributes more than $94 million in total spending for Missoula-area businesses annually according to a new report published by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. A day after again announcing record-setting football season ticket sales, the report notes the increased demand Read More…