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Big Sky Times

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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...

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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."

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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...