Latest News from Big Sky Times

Average VA home loan amount in Alabama for Q1 totals $394,356

By Big Sky Times | Mar 31, 2024

The average VA home loan amount in Montana during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 was $394,356, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Montana collects $97 million in license tax revenue in Q4

By Big Sky Times | Mar 30, 2024

Montana collected $97 million in license taxes during the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Summary of State and Local Taxes.

Montana collects $160 million in property tax revenue in Q4

By Big Sky Times | Mar 30, 2024

Montana collected $160 million in property taxes during the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Summary of State and Local Taxes.

Montana’s combined tax revenues up 10.5% in Q4 compared to same quarter of the previous year

By Big Sky Times | Mar 29, 2024

Montana collected $1.2 billion in combined tax revenues, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Summary of State and Local Taxes.

Attorney General Knudsen Files Lawsuit Against Biden’s Illegal Student Debt Relief Plan

By Big Sky Times | Mar 29, 2024

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with ten other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness scheme. The lawsuit challenges the Department of Education's interpretation of the Higher Education Act, which would result in the cancellation of over $100 billion in student debt.In the lawsuit, the attorneys general argue that the Department of Education is overstepping its bounds by bypassing Congress and creating rules that would effectively turn loans into grants, impacting state economies and leading to...

Montana’s property tax revenues up 3.2% in Q4 compared to same quarter of the previous year

By Big Sky Times | Mar 28, 2024

Montana collected $160 million in property tax revenues, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Summary of State and Local Taxes.

Montana’s sales and gross receipts tax revenue up 2% in Q4 compared to previous quarter

By Big Sky Times | Mar 27, 2024

Montana collected $237 million in sales and gross receipts taxes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Summary of State and Local Taxes.

Montana’s sales and gross receipts tax revenue up 1% in Q4 compared to same quarter of the previous year

By Big Sky Times | Mar 26, 2024

Montana collected $237 million in sales and gross receipts taxes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Summary of State and Local Taxes.

61 New Officers Graduate from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy

By Big Sky Times | Mar 26, 2024

HELENA – Sixty-one new officers who will serve in 36 agencies across the state graduated today from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) within the Montana Department of Justice. MLEA provides basic and advanced training for state, county, city, and tribal law enforcement officers throughout the state.Attorney General Austin Knudsen was in attendance to congratulate and address the graduates. "I’m confident that today’s graduates are ready to face the challenges ahead of them as they begin their careers in law enforcement and I’m proud of what they have already...

Attorney General Knudsen Challenges Biden's Ban on LNG Exports

By Big Sky Times | Mar 25, 2024

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with 15 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's ban on new liquified natural gas (LNG) exports. In a statement, the attorneys general highlighted the detrimental impact of the ban, stating, "Not only will the LNG Export Ban cause Plaintiff States direct harm such as loss of jobs and revenue streams tied to LNG, but it will also have detrimental ripple effects on their economies and communities."The ban, implemented in January by President Biden and the Department of Energy, has raised...

VA provides 202.5% more home purchase loans in Montana in Q4 2023

By Big Sky Times | Mar 23, 2024

There were 369 VA home purchases in Montana in the fourth quarter of the VA's fiscal year 2023, totaling $147.4 million in loans, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

VA provides 369 home purchase loans in Montana in Q4 2023

By Big Sky Times | Mar 22, 2024

There were 369 VA home purchase loans issued in Montana in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2023 totaling $147.4 million, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

GOP U.S. Senate candidate for Montana: 'Montanans want safe streets, a secure border that ends illegal immigration'

By Big Sky Times | Mar 21, 2024

U.S. Senate Republican candidate Tim Sheehy said on X that "Montanans want safe streets," border security that "ends illegal immigration," and for "criminals to be held accountable." According to Federal Newswire, the increase in fentanyl distribution and overdoses in Montana, along with human and drug trafficking, are linked to cartel smuggling operations.

Karsen Murphy from Montana to play in NCAA women’s tournament

By Big Sky Times | Mar 20, 2024

Glendive player represents Montana in the tournament.

Illegal immigrant receives 40-year prison sentence for Bozeman homicide

By Big Sky Times | Mar 20, 2024

HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today that Francisco Padilla Canales, an illegal immigrant in the United States, has been sentenced to 40 years in Montana State Prison for a homicide that occurred in July 2022. Canales pleaded guilty to mitigated deliberate homicide after inflicting multiple fatal stab wounds to a man he found in a relationship with his estranged wife."The victim succumbed to his injuries shortly after law enforcement arrived on the scene despite Canales attempting CPR after the attack," Knudsen stated.Canales had initially...

2 basketball players from Montana jumping for first place in men’s NCAA tournament

By Big Sky Times | Mar 19, 2024

Bozeman and Lewistown players represent Montana in the tournament.

Attorney General Knudsen Announces Retirement of MHP Colonel

By Big Sky Times | Mar 18, 2024

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen made an announcement today regarding the retirement of Montana Highway Patrol Colonel Steve Lavin. The retirement of Colonel Lavin marks the end of a distinguished career within the law enforcement agency."I’m grateful to Steve for his decades-long career with the Montana Highway Patrol. It was a pleasure working with him during his tenure as colonel to keep Montanans safe in their communities and on the road. I wish him well in his retirement," expressed Attorney General Knudsen.Colonel Lavin was appointed by Attorney General...

Montana ranked 13th lowest in the U.S. for average income in 2021

By Big Sky Times | Mar 16, 2024

Montana ranked 13th lowest for average annual earnings per resident among U.S. states, according to data obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Montana inflation exceeds national average as of February 2024

By Big Sky Times | Mar 1, 2024

As of February 2024, Montana experienced a 20.6% increase in prices of goods and services since January 2021, compared to the nationwide trend of an 18.6% increase.

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