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…
From the ashes: The day Noxon burned down
Jim Byler can’t remember off the top of his head when the first call came in.
Bill incentivizing sale of Montana-produced foods moves through the House
House Bill 440, sponsored by Rep. Jane Weber, D-Great Falls, lays out a pilot program that would provide tax incentives for the sale of Montana-produced food. …
Kalispell Public Schools narrows list of layoffs
On Tuesday, Kalispell Public Schools provided a progress report of where it is on the timeline of notifying staff about eliminated positions to balance a $2.9 …
Father accused of threatening son enters into deferred prosecution agreement
Prosecutors charged Stephen Michael Halley with felony assault with a weapon in Flathead County District Court following the Aug. 5, 2023 confrontation on the …
Friends, family reflect on the legacy of Flathead Valley conservationist 'Lex' Blood
William “Lex” Blood had only lived in the Flathead Valley a few years when the first Cabinet Creek mines threatened to poison Northwest Montana waterways, but …
Law roundup: Animal cruelty investigation uncovers pampered pup
Called out to investigate a report of a pet left out in the cold without food or water, officers with the Kalispell Police Department instead discovered a "rather plump" dog. They spotted a wooden shack for the dog…
Whitefish teacher receives kidney from local parent
After seven and a half years of battling polycystic kidney disease, Whitefish Middle School teacher Sean Duff was donated a kidney by local parent Janelle Hans…
Columbia Falls could add another police officer for DUI patrols
Columbia Falls will look to add another full-time DUI and patrol officer to its ranks.
Montana Legislature green lights Medicaid expansion
A Republican proposal to leave current levels of Medicaid coverage in place in Montana is headed to the governor's desk as Congress considers billions of dolla…
Flathead County Library looks to build new Kalispell branch on mall property
Flathead County Library officials signed a letter of intent Thursday to purchase several acres of property at the Kalispell Center Mall for a future branch for…
Father accused of assaulting son with belt
A man accused of taking a belt to his son in 2020 is expected to be arraigned Thursday on one count of felony assault on a minor.
Montana Senate considers bills to reshape state Supreme Court administration
The Senate Judiciary Committee rejected the idea of appointing the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court as a nonpartisan position, but during the same meeting su…
Supporters argue bills to expand Best Beginnings would support children, families, economy
Child care workers often end up stuck because of their low wages — earning too much to qualify for a program that aims to help them, but not earning enough to afford child care on their own.
Emergency responder levy showing returns, say fire and police officials in Kalispell
Just shy of a year since voters approved a levy to boost Kalispell’s emergency services, the city’s Police and Fire departments are beginning to ramp up.
Alleged culprit in theft of ATVs faces felony charges
The man allegedly behind a string of thefts in the spring of 2024 is facing multiple felonies in Flathead County District Court.