U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., announced Friday that she will not seek reelection next year, setting the stage for an open-seat Republican primary in one of the nation’s most reliably red states. Lummis made the announcement after the Senate adjourned for the holiday recess, a decision that will end her tenure after a single six-year Read More…
Gov. Greg Gianforte on donated a quarter of his annual salary to the Mountain Shadow Association in Lodge Grass, marking the twelfth and final day of his fifth annual 12 Days of Giving campaign. The donation supports the nonprofit’s work strengthening families, restoring parent-child relationships, and advancing community-led healing and addiction recovery efforts in Lodge Read More…
Prosecutors in the Montana Attorney General’s Office filed official misconduct charges against state Sen. Jason Ellsworth, alleging he acted outside the scope of his lawful authority as a public servant and improperly handled a state contract. Prosecutors also asked the court to suspend Ellsworth from office pending final judgment. The charges stem from a Montana Read More…
JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N) CEO Jamie Dimon signaled his backing for former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the U.S. central bank, the Financial Times reported Friday. The comments come amid ongoing speculation over President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Federal Reserve. Earlier Friday, Trump said he was leaning toward either Read More…
Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown announced an immediate investigation into Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) following a major data breach that may have compromised the personal and medical information of up to 462,000 Montanans. “This breach is not just a technical lapse. This is a deeply disturbing Read More…
The Original Governor’s Mansion will temporarily close to public tours beginning November 1, 2025, as contractors begin a series of critical exterior repairs aimed at preserving one of Montana’s most cherished historic landmarks. The restoration effort, funded through the Governor’s Long-Range Building Program, will address both the mansion and its adjacent historic carriage house. Planned Read More…
Now that the United States has officially stopped making pennies, a nationwide scramble is underway among gas stations, fast-food chains, and major retailers to adjust prices and handle cash transactions — a shift that could quietly erode profits for many high-volume businesses. The transition follows President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this year to halt production Read More…
(The Center Square) – Death threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are up by 8,000% compared to the same timeframe last year, the Department of Homeland Security said on Friday. Assaults against ICE officers remain at a 1,000% increase, The Center Square first reported. Targeted removal efforts prioritizing arresting violent offenders are ongoing as Read More…
Bitcoin was on track Friday to post its first October loss in seven years, breaking a streak that had given the month a “lucky” reputation among cryptocurrency traders. The world’s largest digital currency is set to fall nearly 5% for the month, trading around $66,800 Friday afternoon, as investors pulled back from risk assets amid Read More…
University of Montana alum Cassidy Randall will serve as the 2026 Kittredge Distinguished Visiting Writer in Environmental Studies. As an author and freelance journalist, the Missoula resident covers adventure and the environment in the West. Her most recent book, “Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Journey of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali,” recently won Read More…
Hilltop Bank announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire Cheyenne State Bank, marking a significant expansion of its banking footprint in Wyoming. Under the terms of the agreement, Hilltop Bank will integrate Cheyenne State Bank’s operations, employees, and branch network, aiming to provide enhanced banking services to both retail and commercial customers Read More…
Dakota Foundry, a vertically integrated grey and ductile iron foundry, has been named one of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce “CO—100 Top 100 Small Businesses in America”, a national recognition that highlights the company’s innovation, craftsmanship, and impact on American manufacturing. The CO—100 designation honors small businesses demonstrating exceptional innovation and influence across the country. Read More…
The Montana Department of Justice (MTDOJ) and Billings Police Department (BPD) are alerting residents of Yellowstone County about an increased presence of the deadly synthetic opioid carfentanil. The warning follows a significant seizure by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which confiscated 5,300 pills suspected of being trafficked into Montana Read More…
Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing and the Montana State University Alumni Foundation recently received a Blue Impact Grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana. The $43,685 grant, awarded in August, will help the nursing college collaborate with clinical agencies in rural areas to develop a post-graduate transition-to-practice program Read More…
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s (WYDOT) National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) plan, certifying that the state’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) are fully built out and clearing the way for NEVI funding to be spent on non-interstate highways. Wyoming becomes the third state to achieve full build-out status, a Read More…
The Federal Reserve delivered a widely anticipated quarter-point rate cut this week, lowering its benchmark federal funds rate to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%, its second reduction of the year. But despite the move, Chair Jerome Powell sent a clear message to markets: don’t expect a rapid march toward lower borrowing costs. The decision Read More…
(The Center Square) – Illegal border crossings in September were historically low, representing a 92.4% drop from a record high reported in September 2023. Last month, 26,002 illegal border crossers were reported nationwide compared to a record high of 341,392 reported in September 2023, according to newly released U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Las Read More…
Watching William Shakespeare’s plays come to life is a bit like walking into a dark room. The longer someone is immersed, the more everything comes into focus. Montana Shakespeare in the Schools, a branch of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and an outreach program of Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture, shares this Read More…
(The Center Square) – The California Public Employees’ Retirement System for state employees lost 71% of its $468 million investment in a clean energy and technology private equity fund, state records show, but CalPERS won’t explain how. These losses are a major problem for California taxpayers, who at least for now are the backstop for Read More…
As an Indigenous artist, Kendallynn Charging has admired the Native Griz designs created the past three years for the University of Montana’s Nike N7-inspired campaign, which honors Native culture and heritage in Montana. When the University asked for applications from Indigenous artists this spring for its fourth version of the Native Griz design, Charging was Read More…
(The Center Square) – The U.S. House Oversight Committee released its report on the investigation into former President Joe Biden’s cognitive health, resulting in referrals to the Justice Department and the D.C. Board of Medicine, citing multiple cover-ups of Biden’s cognitive decline. The report, released Tuesday morning, claims that the former president’s “inner circle” gaslit Read More…
The second annual Montana Agritourism Conference will be held at Montana State University next month on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 20-21. The event will be hosted by the Montana Agritourism Association, which was established last year through collaboration between MSU’s Department of Agricultural and Technology Education, the Montana Department of Agriculture and Western Sustainable Agriculture, Read More…
U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy released a joint statement praising the Senate’s confirmation of William Mercer to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Montana. “We congratulate William Mercer on his long-awaited confirmation to serve as U.S. District Judge for Montana,” the senators said. “Bill will have a lasting impact on Read More…
The Associated Students of Montana State University will host its annual TEDxMontanaStateUniversity event on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Inspiration Hall inside Norm Asbjornson Hall on MSU’s campus and will conclude with a small reception. Student tickets are $5, and general public tickets are $15. Both Read More…
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced that three companies received a combined $460,000 in investments through the North Dakota Development Fund Inc.’s Angel Match Program (AMP) during the third quarter of 2025. AMP supports early-stage, high-growth North Dakota businesses by matching private angel investments with direct equity or convertible note funding. The program is Read More…
To honor the service and sacrifice of America’s military heroes, Pulitzer Prize-nominated authors Dino Garner and Liz Fetter will host a special Veterans Day tribute and multimedia presentation on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the historic Hotel Baxter in downtown Bozeman. The one-hour evening event, which runs from 7 to 8 p.m., is free and Read More…
A weeklong interdiction operation led by the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) in Butte resulted in multiple drug seizures and arrests as law enforcement worked to curb criminal activity and keep illegal narcotics out of Montana communities. From October 7–14, MHP troopers partnered with the United States Border Patrol and the Air National Guard Counterdrug Aviation Read More…
Concluding his trade mission to Japan, Governor Greg Gianforte this week celebrated more than four decades of partnership between Montana and Kumamoto Prefecture, emphasizing the enduring cultural, educational, and economic ties that have defined the sister-state relationship since its founding in 1982. Gianforte’s visit marks the first time in fifteen years that a Montana governor Read More…
Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen has issued a directive to all Montana school districts, reminding them of their legal obligations to comply with state and federal laws amid rising concerns over ideological activism in public education. In a formal letter sent this week, Hedalen reinforced that adherence to these laws is a condition for Read More…
(The Center Square) – More American voters support President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Antifa a terror organization than those who don’t, according to new polling. The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll shows 49% of American voters support the designation compared to 30% who oppose the move, while 21% remain unsure. Overwhelmingly, Republicans support the designation with Read More…
The Montana State University Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics and MSU Extension will host the annual Agricultural Economics Conference on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Bozeman Hilton Garden Inn, 2023 Commerce Way. The conference is part of the College of Agriculture’s annual Celebrate Ag week, which highlights and honors the state and university’s joint agricultural legacy and celebrates current students, alumni and Read More…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 State University is a key player in launching a new AmeriCorps program designed to bolster the community health workforce in Montana. After nearly a year of planning, the Community Health Corps Montana program will kick off in January 2026. In its first year, the program will support 14 AmeriCorps service members paired with around Read More…
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 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…
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…
(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…
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…