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Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Big Sky Times News

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DPHHS Urges Public Caution with Morel Mushroom Consumption

By Big Sky Times | May 7, 2024

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is cautioning the public about the consumption of morel mushrooms, particularly during the spring foraging season. The warning comes after an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in 2023 that affected 51 individuals, resulting in three hospitalizations and two deaths. Symptoms of the illness included diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain, occurring shortly after consuming raw or undercooked morels.

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Attorney General Knudsen Issues Statement on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day

By Big Sky Times | May 5, 2024

Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued a statement in observance of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, emphasizing the importance of addressing the crises affecting Montana's tribal communities. Knudsen stated, “As a former prosecutor in Roosevelt County and now as attorney general, I have seen firsthand the impact the missing Indigenous persons and human trafficking crises are having on Montana’s tribal communities. At the Department of Justice, we remain committed to reducing the number of missing and murdered Indigenous persons in the state and I’m...

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Montana inflation rate outpaces national average as of April 2024

By Big Sky Times | May 1, 2024

As of April 2024, Montana experienced a 22.2% increase in prices of goods and services since January 2021, compared to the nationwide trend of a 19.9% increase.

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Attorney General Knudsen Leads Lawsuit Against Biden’s Rule on Private Gun Sales

By Big Sky Times | May 1, 2024

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has taken a stand against the Biden administration's rule on private gun sales, leading a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit. The lawsuit challenges the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) rule that threatens to criminalize law-abiding citizens for selling firearms without obtaining a federal license.Attorney General Knudsen expressed his concerns, stating, “This is another attempt by the Biden administration to criminalize law-abiding Montanans for exercising their right to keep and bear...

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Attorney General’s office secures guilty verdict in Three Forks homicide case

By Big Sky Times | May 1, 2024

HELENA – A Three Forks man, Zachary Eugene Norman, has been found guilty of deliberate homicide in a case that shocked the community. The verdict was delivered by a judge in Gallatin County District Court, as announced by Attorney General Austin Knudsen.Norman, 26, was convicted of the murder of Chase Eastbrook in January of 2022. The judge found Norman guilty on one count of deliberate homicide with a weapons enhancement. Despite this conviction, Norman was found not guilty on another deliberate homicide charge related to the death of Chase's brother, Brendan Eastbrook,...

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Veteran Survey Deadline Extended to July 15 to Inform Montana’s Long-Term Care Services

By Big Sky Times | Apr 30, 2024

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has announced an extension to the deadline for a survey aimed at gathering crucial information to shape the future long-term care needs of veterans in Montana. Senior and Long Term Care (SLTC) administrator Barb Smith revealed that nearly 3,000 veterans have already participated in the survey, with the deadline now pushed back to July 15 to further increase participation.Smith emphasized the importance of the survey, stating, “We’re working diligently to make the data we’re collecting through the survey as robust...

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Montana Healthcare Foundation Report Highlights Impact of Medicaid Expansion on State Budget and Health

By Big Sky Times | Apr 30, 2024

Bozeman, Mont. (April 30, 2024) – The Montana Healthcare Foundation recently released its fourth annual report on Montana’s Medicaid program, shedding light on the significant impact of Medicaid expansion on the state's budget and healthcare landscape.According to Dr. Aaron Wernham, CEO of the Montana Healthcare Foundation, "Medicaid coverage allows Montanans to access primary care, mental illness and substance use treatment, emergency and hospital care, and specialty services such as cancer care and surgery."The report revealed that Medicaid expansion has provided...

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WIC Farm Direct Program Expands Access to Fresh Produce in Montana

By Big Sky Times | Apr 29, 2024

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) in Montana is collaborating with local farmers to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farm Direct Program."All farmers are welcome to join the Montana WIC Farm Direct program," stated Lacy Little, director of Montana WIC. "It is a great opportunity for farmers to get additional sales on their locally grown fruits and vegetables."The Farm Direct Program allows farmers to accept WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program Benefits at various locations, including...

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Attorney General Knudsen Leads Coalition Against Biden Administration’s Attack on Women’s Rights

By Big Sky Times | Apr 29, 2024

HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, alongside a coalition of attorneys general, has taken a stand against the Biden administration's recent actions, filing a lawsuit to challenge the unlawful Title IX rule that threatens women's rights and safety.In response to the Biden administration's expansion of Title IX to include "gender identity," Attorney General Knudsen expressed his concerns, stating, "For 50 years Title IX has protected girls and women’s rights, but President Biden has abandoned those protections to appease the woke left." He further criticized...

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US Senate candidate from Montana: opponent Sen. Tester has assisted ‘invasion taking place at our southern border’

By Big Sky Times | Apr 26, 2024

Tim Sheehy, a US Senate candidate from Montana, stated that his opponent Sen. John Tester has "worked hand in glove with Joe Biden" in support of the border agenda. This statement was made on April 18 in a press release.

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New Federal Rule Transforms Oil & Gas Leasing on Public Lands

By Big Sky Times | Apr 24, 2024

The Department of the Interior has recently unveiled a final rule aimed at overhauling the Bureau of Land Management’s oil and gas leasing regulations, signaling a significant shift towards the conservation of public lands and wildlife habitats. This move has been welcomed by various stakeholders, including conservationists, ranchers, and outdoor enthusiasts, with a particular focus on Montana, where public lands play a pivotal role in the state's lifestyle and economy.Frank Szollosi, the Executive Director of the Montana Wildlife Federation, expressed gratitude towards...

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FDA conducted second lowest number of inspections on Veterinary companies in Montana during 2023

By Big Sky Times | Apr 24, 2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted eight inspections at eight Veterinary companies from Montana in 2023.

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Attorney General Knudsen Welcomes Congressional Approval of National TikTok Ban

By Big Sky Times | Apr 24, 2024

Apr 24 2024HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen expressed his satisfaction following Congressional approval of a bill that would result in the ban of TikTok in the United States unless Chinese-owned ByteDance divests its stake in the platform. Knudsen remarked, “I’m glad to see that Congress finally acted and followed Montana’s lead to ban TikTok. The dangerous application is a spy tool for the Chinese Communist Party that poses a serious threat to our national security and puts the privacy of Americans at risk. I hope President Biden keeps his...

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Attorney General Knudsen and Others Sue Biden Administration Over Energy Policy

By Big Sky Times | Apr 24, 2024

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with three other state attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's energy rule, which is deemed overreaching and detrimental to Montana's economy. The lawsuit, the 43rd filed by Attorney General Knudsen against the Biden administration, challenges a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule that mandates a preference for mineral interests using flaring over venting to dispose of waste.According to Attorney General Knudsen, the rule will make oil and gas development more expensive and reduce production...

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48 Montana hospitals participate in federal 340B Drug Pricing Program

By Big Sky Times | Apr 23, 2024

Montana has 48 hospitals in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program.

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Montana: Tobacco companies were the least FDA inspected companies in Montana in 2023

By Big Sky Times | Apr 23, 2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an inspection at one Tobacco company from Montana in 2023.

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Which type of Montana companies were inspected the most by FDA in 2023?

By Big Sky Times | Apr 22, 2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted 33 inspections at 33 Food and Cosmetics companies from Montana in 2023.

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Montana: Biologics companies were the second most FDA inspected companies in Montana in 2023

By Big Sky Times | Apr 21, 2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted 11 inspections at 11 Biologics companies from Montana in 2023.

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Attorney General Knudsen issues statement on guilty verdict in trial of man who injured MHP trooper

By Big Sky Times | Apr 19, 2024

HELENA – In response to the guilty verdict in the trial of Jason Allen Miller, who ran over Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Lewis Johnson in February 2023, Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued a statement reiterating the state's stance on violence against law enforcement officers. Knudsen stated, “We will not tolerate violence against law enforcement officers in Montana. Justice has been served, and the perpetrator will be held to account for his heinous actions last year.”Trooper Johnson, an officer with the Highway Patrol for eight years, was injured in the line of...

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Attorney General Knudsen and state partners continue fight to end human trafficking

By Big Sky Times | Apr 18, 2024

Apr 18 2024BOZEMAN – Attorney General Austin Knudsen, accompanied by over 100 participants including law enforcement officials, criminal prosecutors, advocacy groups, public health officials, and private industry leaders, convened in Bozeman today to address the ongoing battle against human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in Montana. The gathering marked the fourth anti-human trafficking symposium hosted by Attorney General Knudsen, focusing on key strategies to combat the issue."Human trafficking is modern day slavery, and I remain committed...