News
Stay current with top stories from Northwest Montana, including local government updates, education news, community issues, public safety, environmental reports, and regional developments.
Flathead National Forest clears way for salvage projects following winter windstorms
More than 500 acres of trees downed in December’s windstorms are slated for salvage, say Flathead National Forest …
Man arrested after shootout, SWAT response in Evergreen, officials say
A man is in custody after allegedly exchanging gunfire with law enforcement during a standoff that drew a SWAT and K-9 response in Evergreen on Friday night.
Habitat for Humanity trims proposed subdivision in Columbia Falls
Habitat for Humanity will look to build six homes on what is now a baseball field on Railroad Street in Columbia Falls.
White supremacist flyers turning up in Whitefish shops
At the Whitefish City Council meeting last week, Bookworks manager Marti Brandt said flyers touting white supremacy had been dropped off at the popular store, put into books and placed in the window.
Bigfork Fire Department bond pushed to a later vote
The Bigfork Fire District facilities committee precluded a board decision to put a bond for a new fire hall on the May ballot last week while maintaining the set timeline to break ground in spring of 2026.
St. Regis family loses home in structure fire
The St. Regis and West End volunteer fire departments teamed up on the second structural fire within a week on Feb. 9, this time at 1130 Montana 135.
Trump wants states to clean up forests to stop wildfires. But his administration cut off funds
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — President Donald Trump's administration is holding up money for wildfire mitigation projects funded through legislation championed by his…
Presentation looks at wealthy, but enigmatic family
Charley Bair made his first fortune in the gold fields of the Klondike, his second in the sheep business in Montana, and his third in real estate in Los Angele…
Lawmakers in GOP-held Senate signal openness to continuing Medicaid expansion
Two Republican-sponsored proposals that would have phased out Medicaid expansion for tens of thousands of low-income adults in Montana or attached conditions t…
Lawmakers debate Republican income tax relief proposals
The middle class is often a forgotten segment of the population, says Sen. Mike Yakawich, a Billings Republican.
Valentines: The key to love from those who know it
Loreley and Fred McLaughlin met over 60 years ago while at a mutual friend’s house. The apartment was unfurnished, so they sat on pillows, drinking margaritas …
Officials will consider banning motorized boats on Bull River amidst citizen complaints
Wildlife officials will consider new rules regulating the use of motorized boats on the Bull River south of Libby, following a petition from a local landowner.
Bill to ban mRNA vaccines passes out of House committee
A bill that would ban the use of mRNA vaccines, including for Covid-19, is on its way to the House floor after passing out of committee in a party-line vote We…
Law roundup: Neighbor tries to put pet owner in the doghouse
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Trump administration freezes funds for wildfire mitigation projects
President Donald Trump's administration is holding up money for wildfire mitigation projects funded through legislation championed by his Democratic predecesso…
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as Trump's health secretary after a close Senate vote
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as President Donald Trump's health secretary, putting the prominent vaccine skeptic in…