News
Stay current with top stories from Northwest Montana, including local government updates, education news, community issues, public safety, environmental reports, and regional developments.
Wildlife experts analyze rare fatal bear attack in Glacier
Nearly three weeks after a 33-year-old hiker was killed in an apparent bear attack in Glacier National Park, quest…
Heated day in Donald Trump's hush money trial ends with defense asking judge to dismiss the case
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump's lawyers on Monday pressed the judge overseeing his hush money trial to stop the case from going to the jury and throw out the ch…
Lessons learned — Kindergarten teacher wraps up 40-year career at Lakeside Elementary
For 40 years, Lakeside Elementary kindergarten teacher Coleene Torgerson has been “at the beginning” of students’ education, sending hundreds of children off o…
Zinke seeks evidence of his own claims about arrival of immigrant family
Despite raising the specter that a nonprofit worked with the Biden administration to relocate immigrants in the country illegally to Kalispell earlier this mon…
Kalispell FFA shines at state, multiple teams advance to nationals
Kalispell FFA was recognized as the overall state champion team for its top placements in five career development events at the Montana FFA Convention in Billi…
Montana politicians turn a critical eye toward IVF treatments following Alabama ruling
Kalispell resident Margo Neiman remembers everything it took to get pregnant — medications, money and time spent worrying if her attempts at a baby through in …
Pilates studio focuses on helping clients tune in to their bodies
Over the years, Jennie Johnson has taught pilates, TRX, and barre, and has her degree in health and human performance with a specialization in health enhanceme…
Montana Commissioner of Political Practices opens complaints against AG candidates
Democrats lodge complaints against Attorney General, Daniels County Attorney
The Montana Free Press 2024 election guide for statewide and federal offices
Answers here were solicited from candidates via a written questionnaire conducted by Montana Free Press in April 2024. Responses were limited to 1,000 characte…
Law roundup: Children find replica revolver in playground
A school administrator in Kalispell reportedly called the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office after children reportedly found a revolver lying on the ground in the playground. Deputies determined ...
Well played — Student musicians get top marks at 2024 State Music Festival
Music students participated in the Western State Solo and Ensemble Festival in Helena May 3 and 4, receiving top scores for their performances. Qualified mus…
Bigfork hotel permit tabled by Board of Adjustment
The Flathead County Board of Adjustment unanimously voted to table Bigfork Hotel Group’s request for a conditional use permit to allow for a 64-room hotel in t…
Legislation to restore Medal of Honor upkeep passes Senate vote
Private Fred Hunt received a Medal of Honor through the U.S. Army on Jan. 8, 1877, in Cedar Creek, Montana. The Medal of Honor is considered one of the highest…
Law roundup: Concerned caller misses the mark
Seeing a man practicing archery near several soccer fields where children were playing, a passerby alerted the Kalispell Police Department. Although the archery practice didn’t seem unsafe per se, the passerby felt…
U.S. proposes ending new federal leases in nation's biggest coal region
The Biden administration on Thursday proposed an end to new coal leasing from federal reserves in the most productive coal mining region in the U.S. as officia…
Ronan man sentenced to 60 years for starting fire that destroyed 14 homes
A Ronan man, and son of one of the most experienced and respected wildland firefighters in the country, was sentenced in Polson District Court May 10 to the Mo…