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 supports license plate reader technology, higher fees to free up on-street parking
City councilors in Kalispell appeared willing to increase fines for parking violations and buy license plate reade…
Flathead Food Bank begins fundraising campaign for expansion
The campaign launches on March 11 at Stockman Bank as the bank hosts the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s UNWIND business networking event at 5 p.m. at 1825 U.S. 93 S, Suite F, in Kalispell.
Flathead County Treasurer’s Office and motor vehicle office temporarily close for system upgrade
The new system will offer more online services to customers, electronic payment options, and improved turnaround time for all vehicle service transactions, as well as improve functionality for law enforcement, car …
Law roundup: Ding, dong, ditch caught on camera
A guardian promised to speak to a child with an alleged love of the ding, dong, ditch prank after an annoyed neighbor contacted the Kalispell Police Department. The juvenile's escapades were caught on camera and th…
Students hone scientific ideas at annual Flathead County Science Fair
The Flathead County Fairground’s Trade Center was packed with dozens of tri-fold boards Thursday morning, each asking — and attempting to answer — a question r…
Montana Legislators offer utilities looser liability laws in exchange for increased wildfire mitigation strategies
The Montana House has unanimously passed legislation to enforce stricter wildfire mitigation standards and reduce liability for utility companies and cooperati…
Bigfork man among victims of Alaska avalanche
Authorities in Alaska said they would attempt Thursday to reach the site of an avalanche that trapped three skiers, who were believed to have died after being …
Missing dog safe after spending winter in woods north of Whitefish
Baldone, the remarkable Great Pyrenees who was the object of a long search effort, decided to trust humans again and is safe and sound.
Young violinist hosts debut show Friday
The 16-year-old Montana native is debuting his first solo performance on Friday, one rung in a ladder he said he is climbing.
Five-year sentence for man who led police on high-speed chase
A man who led authorities on a high-speed chase through Kalispell last year received a five-year sentence to the state Department of Corrections in November.
Law roundup: Man suspicious of stranger’s intentions
A man from Oregon allegedly met "some lady" at a gas station where they ate lunch and went to “some apartment” where they picked up her 19-year-old daughter. When he dropped them off ...
Miscommunication results in loss of funding for Flathead Valley arts programs
State legislators have stripped funds from five local arts nonprofits, accusing the organizations of showing disrespect for the legislative process by not atte…
Tariff worries further fraying Northwest Montana’s Canadian connection
The Flathead Valley had been a destination for Albertans for decades. But the pandemic, the increasing cost of living in Montana and now the threat of a trade …
Local Events: St. Paddy's parties, gem treasures and adventure films
March in Northwest Montana is packed with exciting events! From the 4th Annual Cloverfest in Columbia Falls and Brannigan’s Pub’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration…
Trump grants one-month exemption for US automakers from new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said there might be carveouts coming to the 25% tariffs placed on Canada and Mexico by President Donald Trump, a softening of…
Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning an "aggressive" reorganization that includes cutting 80,000 jobs from the sprawling agency that provides health …