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Tuesday, March 25, 2025

News from May 2024

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Consumption advisory issued for sucker fish below Billings

By Big Sky Times | May 31, 2024

BILLINGS – The Fish Consumption Advisory Board, which includes representatives from the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS), Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), has updated its consumption advisory for fish on the Yellowstone River.

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Average VA IRRRL Loan amount in Montana increases from 2022 to 2023

By Big Sky Times | May 30, 2024

The average VA IRRRL Loan amount for Montana in 2023 was $397,076, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

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Attorney General Knudsen comments on Supreme Court's NRA v. Vullo ruling

By Big Sky Times | May 30, 2024

The Supreme Court ruled today in favor of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in its case against a New York state official accused of infringing on the organization’s First Amendment right to free speech. In response to the NRA v. Vullo decision, Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued a statement.

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Average VA home loan amount in Montana falls in Q1

By Big Sky Times | May 29, 2024

The average VA home loan amount in Montana during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 was $394,356, a 0.7% decrease from the previous quarter, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

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Montana one of 30 states that allows copay accumulators

By Big Sky Times News Service | May 28, 2024

Montana is one of thirty states that allows copay accumulators.

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Montana releases draft plan for behavioral health system improvements

By Big Sky Times | May 24, 2024

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton announced the publication of the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission’s draft report on May 24, 2024.

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AG Knudsen urges safe driving as '100 Deadliest Days' approach

By Big Sky Times | May 24, 2024

Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) are reminding drivers to stay safe on the road ahead of the holiday weekend and unofficial start of summer. Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” State troopers will increase their presence on Montana roads and highways throughout the summer, cracking down on drunk and drugged drivers.

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Governor Gianforte honors Montana emergency medical services responders

By Big Sky Times | May 23, 2024

Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton honored Montana Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel from Glendive, Big Sky, Rudyard, Ennis, Great Falls, and Hinsdale during an awards ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, May 22.

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Montana Highway Patrol trooper honored nationally for heroic rescue

By Big Sky Times | May 23, 2024

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Barb Armstrong received an Honorable Mention award from the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) at their 31st annual TOP COPS Awards in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, May 12. Held in conjunction with National Police Week, the awards honor law enforcement officers and educate the public about our nation’s heroes.

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Coalition of states files lawsuit against Biden administration's new environmental permitting rule

By Big Sky Times | May 22, 2024

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has joined a coalition of 20 states in filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s new permitting rule, which mandates social, environmental, and race-based regulations for infrastructure projects. The Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) new National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rule is expected to increase costs for energy, delay projects such as housing, power plants, roads, and bridges, and lead to project cancellations.

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Knudsen leads coalition defending US gun makers against liability for Mexican violence

By Big Sky Times | May 22, 2024

HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen led a coalition of 27 states Tuesday in defending American firearms manufacturers against attempts to hold the companies liable for gun violence in Mexico. If a lower court’s ruling is allowed to stand, Americans’ Second Amendment rights could be threatened.

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Senate Candidate Sheehy: 'Tens of thousands of families mourn the loss of loved ones to Chinese fentanyl that came across the southern border'

By Big Sky Times | May 22, 2024

Tim Sheehy, a U.S. Senate Candidate in Montana, has asserted that thousands of families have lost loved ones to "Chinese fentanyl" which enters the United States from Mexico due to border policies implemented by the Biden Administration. Sheehy contends that these policies are supported by his opponent, Senator Jon Tester. Sheehy shared his statement with the Big Sky Times on May 21.

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US Senate candidate from Montana: Sen. Tester 'supports open borders and letting illegal immigrants invade our country'

By Big Sky Times | May 22, 2024

Republican Senate candidate from Montana, Tim Sheehy, has accused his opponent Sen. John Tester (D-MT) of supporting open borders and "wanting to let Mayorkas off the hook." This statement was made on April 5.

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.