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…
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…
ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to a “presidential foundation and museum” and $1 million in legal fees as part of a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit, according to court documents filed Saturday. The lawsuit was sparked by comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos during a March 2024 broadcast. Read More…
(The Center Square) – A group of 23 attorneys general led by Missouri and Kansas has put the Biden administration’s Department of Education on notice about its fourth attempt to force American taxpayers to pay for others’ student loan debt. With less than three months left in the administration, the DOE published a notice of Read More…
(The Center Square) – After President-elect Donald Trump vowed to impose tariffs on Mexico and spoke to Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, demanding that Mexico stop facilitating illegal entry into the U.S., Mexican authorities have made major drug and cartel busts. Sheinbaum claimed they’d been working on the operation for a while, but some members Read More…
(The Center Square) – While some schools across the nation hosted meagerly-attended “Transgivings” around Thanksgiving time, students at Hillsdale College wrote over 4,000 thank-you cards on the school’s annual “Day of Thanks.” Throughout the day on Nov. 21, participating Hillsdale students wrote the thousands of grateful notes to “donors, family members, professors, friends, and others Read More…
As part of his fourth annual 12 Days of Giving campaign, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte marked Giving Tuesday by donating a quarter of his annual salary to Warriors & Quiet Waters, a Bozeman-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones. In 2020, Governor Gianforte pledged to donate his gubernatorial salary to Read More…
The Montana Department of Commerce has announced the opening of the 2024 Big Sky Film Grant (BSFG), offering financial support to filmmakers creating projects that showcase Montana’s unique landscapes, culture, and talent. The grant program is open for applications until February 7, 2025 and is designed to foster growth and opportunities for Montana-based film and Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is spearheading a coalition of 28 states in urging the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to protect American firearm manufacturers from liability claims brought by the Mexican government. In a brief filed Tuesday, the coalition challenges a lower court ruling that Mexico alleges could hold U.S. gun manufacturers Read More…
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced today that 10 businesses have been approved for a combined total of $6,628,000 in loans through the North Dakota Development Fund, Inc. (NDDF). The funding aims to drive economic growth, create jobs, and address critical community needs across the state. “The NDDF is dedicated to fostering growth by Read More…
The Whitney Western Art Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West proudly announces the acquisition of Portal, a monumental bronze sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Deborah Butterfield. Created in 2023, the piece represents a significant addition to the museum’s collection and underscores its dedication to contemporary Western art. Butterfield, celebrated for her evocative Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) are urging drivers to prioritize safety this December as part of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. In response to an uptick in roadway fatalities, MHP will increase patrols statewide from December 11 through January 1 to target drunk and drugged drivers during the holiday season. Read More…
The Wyoming Aeronautics Commission will convene from December 9-11, 2024, at the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Headquarters, located at 5300 Bishop Boulevard in Cheyenne. The sessions will take place in the I-80 Room of the WYDOT-U Training Building. Meeting Schedule Monday, December 9: A workshop will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Read More…
Beginning this December, Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) will conduct helicopter surveys and wildlife capture operations across the Clearwater Region. This effort, running through the next couple of months, aims to provide critical data on big game populations, including abundance, herd composition, survival rates, and movement patterns. Wildlife staff will focus on capturing and collaring Read More…
BOZEMAN — At the end of November in Montana, there were 51 openings for special education teachers, and a report on the state’s teacher shortage last year identified special education as one of the top three critical shortage areas in Montana. At the same time, many Montana children need and benefit from the services that Read More…
Governor Doug Burgum presented his final executive budget to the 69th Legislative Assembly today, outlining a $95 million package aimed at improving housing affordability, accessibility, and stability for the 2025-27 biennium. The proposal also includes $54 million for workforce-related initiatives, such as child care support, to address North Dakota’s ongoing workforce shortage—all without introducing new Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced today the appointment of Christy Clark as the new Director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP). “Christy Clark is a strong leader with the skills needed to lead the agency tasked with protecting Montana’s cherished recreational opportunities and public access to public lands,” said Gov. Gianforte. “With Read More…
BOZEMAN – Townsend, Montana, is roughly 60 miles northwest of the Montana State University campus in Bozeman. For Lainee Colombik, that proximity to her hometown fulfilled her top priority when pursuing education in veterinary medicine. Now in her fourth year of veterinary school through the WIMU Regional Program in Veterinary Medicine, Colombik lives further afield Read More…
As Montana heads into winter, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is urging residents to follow strict guidelines for open burning to prevent poor air quality caused by smoke trapped in mountain valleys during temperature inversions. Open burning, defined as outdoor burning of materials like slash piles or yard waste, is closely regulated during Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced the appointment of Trevor Sparrow as Idaho’s inaugural Health and Social Services Ombudsman, a position established under Senate Bill 1380 earlier this year. The new role aims to enhance oversight and responsiveness within the state’s child welfare system, ensuring that services provided to foster children, those under protective supervision, and residents Read More…
Two hunters who went missing south of Laurel on Wednesday were found dead on Thursday. The men were identified as Ray Bernard Wells, 71, of Park City, and James Rheinhart Horton, 71, of Laurel, according to Yellowstone County Deputy Coroner Rich Hoffman. The hunters had departed from Laurel on Wednesday morning to hunt on private Read More…
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has appointed Lt. Daniel Haugen to serve as interim superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, effective December 1. The appointment follows the retirement of Col. Brandon Solberg, who is stepping down on November 30 after nearly 6½ years as superintendent. Haugen brings 24 years of experience with the Highway Read More…
(The Center Square) – The city of Milwaukee is offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus for working police officers who transfer to the Milwaukee Police Department. The initiative, announced by Mayor Cavalier Johnson at a recent press conference, is part of the city’s effort to meet its 1725 officer staffing goal imposed by Act 12. “I’ll Read More…
Kila resident Del Orrin Crawford, 42, has been sentenced to 100 years in the Montana State Prison for the fatal shooting of a woman during a 2022 argument outside a Martin City bar, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced. Crawford was convicted in July 2024 on charges of deliberate homicide, attempted deliberate homicide, assault with Read More…
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday afternoon visited the new Helena Food Share facility to support the organizations’ food drive ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. “We have so much to be grateful for as Montanans,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This Thanksgiving week, I encourage Montanans to give what they can, including the gift of their Read More…
(The Center Square) – The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents has recommended a number of new and revised policies for its institutions, such as a commitment to institutional neutrality, the prohibiting of DEI tactics, and a mandatory education in America’s founding documents. The University System of Georgia (USG) is made up of Georgia’s Read More…
(The Center Square) – House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has opened an investigation into the Federal Emergency Management Agency over reports that it discriminated against supporters of Donald Trump. Comer said whistleblower reports suggest anti-Trump discrimination is rampant and has been going on for years. “[O]n the condition of anonymity, a FEMA official Read More…
President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Friday that Russia would continue testing its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile in combat, with a stockpile ready for use. His comments came one day after Russia launched the intermediate-range missile into Ukraine for the first time, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict. Putin stated that the missile’s first Read More…
Governor Brad Little and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke joined farmers and water users today in Idaho Falls and Twin Falls to celebrate “Idaho Water Day,” marking the completion of a new water agreement after months of negotiations. The event highlighted the successful collaboration between farmers, water users, and state officials to secure Idaho’s water future. Read More…
North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread will serve as the president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for 2025, following his role as president-elect in 2024. As NAIC president, Godfread will lead the nation’s chief insurance regulators across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. His leadership will focus Read More…
NI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NODK) announced today that Seth C. Daggett will take on the role of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 1, 2024. Daggett, who has over 20 years of industry experience, most recently served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Treasurer. He succeeds Cindy L. Launer, who had Read More…
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he will nominate Brooke Rollins, a former White House aide, to be the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. This marks the final nomination to lead an executive agency in his incoming administration, rounding out his Cabinet selections with another trusted ally from within his circle of advisers. Rollins’ Read More…
Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU) has announced that it will hold its fiscal first-quarter earnings conference call on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time. The call will be webcast live and can be accessed via the company’s Investor Relations website at http://investors.micron.com/. A replay of the presentation will be available on the Read More…
The Idaho Army National Guard inducted 10 new honorary unit commanders during a ceremony on Friday, continuing its tradition of fostering strong ties with the community. These honorary commanders, selected from local business, education, and civic leaders, will gain a deeper understanding of the Guard’s mission, policies, and programs. “Our Honorary Unit Commander Program is Read More…
In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week, Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) have announced a significant increase in apprenticeship opportunities across the state. According to a new report, the number of Montanans enrolled in active apprenticeships reached a record high of 3,150 at the end of September 2024, marking Read More…
The Museum of the Rockies (MOR) is inviting the public to participate in a contest to name its new café, set to open in May 2025. The “Name the New Museum Café” contest, which runs from November 20 to December 20, offers an exciting opportunity for community members to leave their mark on the museum’s Read More…
Montana State University engineering students will showcase their senior capstone projects on Thursday, December 5, at the biannual Design Fair in Norm Asbjornson Hall. The event, which is free and open to the public, will run from 2 to 4 p.m. and will feature work from 52 students across 15 projects and 15 posters. The Read More…
he Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 26 rural safety agencies will receive more than $1.4 million in grant funding to enhance emergency service capabilities in areas experiencing increased tourism. The funding, allocated through the Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Grant Program (METAP), aims to strengthen public safety across rural communities. “Emergency services are critical Read More…
The College of Letters and Science at Montana State University will honor six faculty authors who have recently published books during a special reception on Thursday, Dec. 5. The event, free and open to the public, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Alumni Foundation’s Great Room at 1501 S. 11th Ave. Read More…
In October, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) installed a new permanent air quality monitor in Glasgow, providing Valley County residents with expanded access to real-time air quality data. This installation is part of a broader initiative to enhance air quality monitoring across the state. The Glasgow monitor was funded through an EPA-administered award Read More…
(The Center Square) — New York has spent billions of dollars in Medicaid funding on home care programs without verifying that the services were provided, according to a scathing new report from the state’s fiscal watchdog. The audit released by New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli said a review found that 44% of more than Read More…
President-elect Donald Trump has begun appointing officials to top positions in his incoming administration, signaling a departure from the internal strife that marked his first term. This time, Trump is leaning heavily on loyalists to shape his government, even as some of his selections face the prospect of contentious Senate confirmation battles. Cabinet Appointments Treasury Read More…