Quantcast

Big Sky Times

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Big Sky Times News

Medium 1zxowa1x3x53m809pvjdy4ygnkwk

Montana officials remind residents about seasonal rise in potential wildlife-related rabie cases

By Big Sky Times | May 21, 2024

State and local public health officials are reminding Montanans to be aware of rabies exposure risks as summer approaches. The potential for encounters between humans and wild animals increases during spring and summer months as Montanans spend more time engaging in outdoor activities. Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease. The rabies virus is carried in the saliva of infected warm-blooded mammals and is usually transmitted to people and other animals through a bite. Post-exposure prophylaxis, a series of injections administered after exposure, has a 100% success rate in...

Medium 44gn4psdk38iie3b550st20g8w48

Montana board approves limitation on DNRC's authority over private water rights

By Big Sky Times | May 20, 2024

In a unanimous decision, the Montana Board of Land Commissioners has approved Attorney General Austin Knudsen's motion to limit the authority of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) over private water rights. The decision was made during the Board's meeting on May 20, 2024.

Medium 1zxowa1x3x53m809pvjdy4ygnkwk

DPHHS promotes ways for Montanans to manage arthritis symptoms

By Big Sky Times | May 20, 2024

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials are raising awareness about protective actions Montanans can take to help manage arthritis symptoms. “While there is no sure way to prevent arthritis, there are lifestyle modifications that are proven effective to help reduce getting certain types of arthritis, or lessen the severity of symptoms,” said DPHHS Arthritis and Falls Prevention Program Manager Melissa Dale.

Medium re 2

Montana ranked 17th in average VA home loan amount in Q1

By Big Sky Times | May 17, 2024

With $394,356 in home loans issued, Montana ranked 17th in average loan amount for VA home loans in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans' Affairs Home Loans Index.

Medium re 7

Montana ranks 41st in total VA home loans during Q1

By Big Sky Times | May 17, 2024

Montana ranked 41st in VA home loans in the first quarter of 2024 with 352 loans issued, according to the Veterans' Affairs Home Loans Index.

Medium sheehy

Senate Candidate Tim Sheehy Fires Back at Political Ad By Jon Tester Campaign

By Big Sky Times | May 17, 2024

As the Montana Senate race intensifies, a new television ad from U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D) has sparked a fierce response from his Republican opponent, Tim Sheehy. The ad, which began airing this week, labels Sheehy a "liar," prompting a swift and detailed rebuttal from Sheehy's campaign.

Medium realestate4

VA provides 26.6% fewer home purchase loans in Montana in Q1

By Big Sky Times | May 16, 2024

There were 271 VA home purchases in Montana in the first quarter of the VA's fiscal year 2024, totaling $108.1 million in loans, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Medium re 13

Montana receives $2.8 million in VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans during Q1

By Big Sky Times | May 16, 2024

The VA issued seven Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in Montana during the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Medium realestate4

VA issues same number of Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in Montana in Q1 2024 vs. Q4 2023

By Big Sky Times | May 16, 2024

The VA issued seven Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in Montana during the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, compared to seven loans the previous quarter, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Medium realestate5

VA provides 271 home purchase loans in Montana in Q1

By Big Sky Times | May 15, 2024

There were 271 VA home purchase loans issued in Montana in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 totaling $108.1 million, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Medium re 1

VA provides 352 home loans in Montana totaling $138.8 million in Q1

By Big Sky Times | May 15, 2024

The U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) issued 352 home loans totaling $138.8 million in Montana during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans' Affairs Home Loans Index.

Medium 44gn4psdk38iie3b550st20g8w48

Montana AG announces winner of Law Enforcement Appreciation Poster Contest

By Big Sky Times | May 15, 2024

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced Jeremiah Sifuentez, a fifth-grade student from Busby, as the winner of the third annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Poster Contest. The announcement was made during National Police Week.

Medium 1zxowa1x3x53m809pvjdy4ygnkwk

Montana hosts second annual Disability Employment Conference

By Big Sky Times | May 15, 2024

Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras addressed the second annual Disability Employment Conference at the Great Falls College Heritage Hall today. "This conference is an excellent opportunity for Montana businesses to learn from experts about the value of employing individuals with disabilities," Lt. Gov. Juras said. "There is a substantial talent pool in Montana already working, and many more who are eager to find employment."

Medium 44gn4psdk38iie3b550st20g8w48

Montana Attorney General files multiple lawsuits against Biden's EPA rules

By Big Sky Times | May 14, 2024

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has recently filed four lawsuits against the Biden administration, challenging what he calls "unlawful" Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules. This brings the total number of lawsuits filed by Attorney General Knudsen against the Biden administration to 49.

Medium realestate3

Average VA Purchase Loan amount in Montana declines from Q4 2023 to Q1

By Big Sky Times | May 10, 2024

The average VA Purchase Loan amount for Montana in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 was $398,729, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index

Medium 44gn4psdk38iie3b550st20g8w48

Lake County man sentenced for Boulder 2700 Fire arson

By Big Sky Times | May 10, 2024

A Lake County man has been sentenced to 60 years in Montana State Prison, with 30 years suspended, and ordered to pay over $1.2 million in restitution for two counts of arson. These charges include the Boulder 2700 fire that resulted in significant destruction and forced evacuations in Lake County during the summer of 2021, according to an announcement by Attorney General Austin Knudsen.

Medium 1zxowa1x3x53m809pvjdy4ygnkwk

Montana committee receives national award for innovative trauma care system

By Big Sky Times | May 10, 2024

The Montana State Trauma Care Committee (MT-STCC) is set to receive the esteemed 2024 Peregrine Award for Trauma Innovation during a virtual awards ceremony on May 15. The MT-STCC was selected for this national honor due to its development and execution of the Montana Interfacility Blood Network (MT-IBN), a system that was initiated in April 2022, connecting existing hospital personnel who transport trauma patients across the region.

Medium 1zxowa1x3x53m809pvjdy4ygnkwk

Montana's Tobacco Quit Line aids over 36,000 individuals in quitting tobacco use

By Big Sky Times | May 9, 2024

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has reported that the Montana Tobacco Quit Line has served over 115,000 Montanans since its inception in May 2004. Out of these, more than 36,000 individuals have successfully quit using tobacco and nicotine products.

Medium 44gn4psdk38iie3b550st20g8w48

Attorney General Knudsen Leads Coalition Opposing WHO's Expansion of Authority

By Big Sky Times | May 8, 2024

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen led a coalition of 21 other state attorneys general in sending a letter to President Biden opposing World Health Organization (WHO) agreements that could give the organization unprecedented powers over the United States. In the letter, Knudsen expressed concerns that the proposed agreements could threaten national sovereignty and citizens' freedoms. The attorneys general highlighted that such agreements would shift public health decision-making power from elected representatives to the WHO's Director-General, potentially leading to...

Medium 1zxowa1x3x53m809pvjdy4ygnkwk

Asthma Awareness Highlighted on World Asthma Day in Montana

By Big Sky Times | May 7, 2024

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Montana Asthma Control Program (MACP) are recognizing World Asthma Day on May 7, 2024, as part of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. This year's theme is "Asthma Education Empowers."