News
Stay current with top stories from Northwest Montana, including local government updates, education news, community issues, public safety, environmental reports, and regional developments.
Kalispell City Council to vote on federal grant for pedestrian safety upgrades
Kalispell City Council is expected to vote Monday on whether to pursue a federal grant to improve pedestrian safet…
Fake money? Nope, that 100-spot is legit
Someone called the Kalispell Police Department to report a $100 counterfeit bill, but it was determined the bill was legitimate and returned to the person.
Montana presses to finish census, eyeing 2nd House seat
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A complete count of Montana's households could come with a big reward — a second seat in Congress and millions of federal dollars annually.
Ski resorts struggle to hire amid Trump's student visa ban
DENVER (AP) — Milagros Sotelo was looking forward to traveling from South America to Tennessee to start a job at Ober Gatlinburg ski resort this winter.
Bullock urges local steps to stop virus
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock urged local officials where coronavirus cases are surging to adopt stricter measures including shutting down bars in some hotspots to halt the virus' spread.
Flathead’s COVID death toll rises to 19
The Flathead City-County Health Department announced Wednesday that three more individuals have died from COVID-19, bringing Flathead County’s total death toll to 19.
Judge rejects Trump challenge to Montana's mailed ballots
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A federal judge in Montana on Wednesday rejected an effort by President Donald Trump's re-election campaign and Republican Party groups to…
Former Montana GOP governor Marc Racicot voting for Biden
BILLINGS Mont. (AP) — A former Montana governor and Republican National Committee chair said he will vote for Democrat Joe Biden in the November election, citi…
Open burning starts Thursday; caution advised
Open burning season in Flathead County and northern Lake County begins Thursday, Oct. 1.
Report: Whitefish Care failed to protect residents from COVID
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services recently conducted a multi-day survey in which staff discovered the Whitefish Care and Rehabilitatio…
HD 3: Candidates differ on Medicaid expansion, agree on public lands
Democratic incumbent Debo Powers faces a challenge from Republican Braxton Mitchell for the House District 3 seat that includes Columbia Falls, North Fork and …
VA Secretary touts need for suicide prevention advocacy for veterans
While COVID-19 cases are on an upswing in the Flathead, the decades-long specter of suicide is still the chief health concern for veterans of the armed forces in Montana and the nation.
Families recount loved ones’ declines at Whitefish facility
In a recorded video chat dated Aug. 18, Deb Johnson can be heard coaching her 92-year-old father, Elton “Ott” Johnson, through a breathing exercise.
Veterans Home working to contain COVID outbreak
The Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls is working to contain a COVID-19 outbreak that has infected a total 17 staff members and residents, with nine of those cases being considered “active,” as of Tuesday morn…
Secretary of state: Later ballot deadline could be confusing
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The secretary of state wants the Montana Supreme Court to block a judge's ruling that extends the deadline for county election offices to accept 2020 general election ballots returned by mail
Autopsy shows man found on shore of Whitefish Lake died of hypothermia
The body of a Columbia Falls man was recovered last week from the shore of Whitefish Lake, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday.