News
Stay current with top stories from Northwest Montana, including local government updates, education news, community issues, public safety, environmental reports, and regional developments.
Making the grade — Kalispell Public Schools leader named regional superintendent of the year
Wrapping up his second school year leading Kalispell Public Schools, Matt Jensen has been named regional Superinte…
Co-op’s safety program supports lighting for Libby library
The Lincoln County Library building in Libby, constructed in the early 1950s, is owned and operated by the county but supported financially in many ways by the nonprofit Libby Friends of the Library.
UM students revive beloved Foresters’ Ball
Forestry students and volunteers have spent the week transforming the University of Montana’s Schreiber Gym
Bail reduction denied for man accused of keeping child porn
Authorities are holding Noah James Lafontaine, 24, in the county jail on a felony charge of sexual abuse of children and a misdemeanor count of sexual assault …
Nonprofits conduct annual homeless survey in Flathead Valley
Nonprofit organizations serving homeless people in Flathead Valley completed an annual Point-in-Time survey, meant to get a handle on the region’s unhoused pop…
Law roundup: I scream, you scream, we all scream
Officers with the Kalispell Police Department were summoned to the location of a man who was accused of screaming obscenities at passersby.
United Way serves nearly 500 at Winter Warm Up event
The event started a decade ago as a way to bring representatives of resources to one place in order to better reach people in the community.
Whitefish Mountain Resort president issues statement following chairlift failures
After evacuating about 150 skiers and snowboarders from the newly built Snow Ghost Express chairlift Wednesday, Whitefish Mountain Resort President Nick Polumb…
Lawmakers look to revise Montana’s marijuana laws
In its first major revision proposed to Montana’s marijuana laws since the state legalized recreational use in 2021, a House panel heard a series of bills that…
Montana resolution seeking Article V Convention tabled in split Senate vote
A resolution that would make Montana the 20th state to request an Article V Convention to amend the U.S. Constitution is likely dead after it failed on its third reading in the Senate Wednesday.
UM study finds humans cause more destructive wildfires in the West
More than three times as many houses and other structures burned in Western wildfires from 2010 to 2020 than in the previous decade, and that wasn’t only becau…
Kalispell woman accused of striking husband with glass vase
Natalie Kay Heser, 55, faces an assault with a weapon charge in Flathead County District Court after the Jan. 29 disturbance on the 800 block of East Washingto…
Suspect in June shooting back in custody
Judge Amy Eddy issued a $25,000 bench warrant for Jeffrey Allen Smith, 49, after he failed to appear in Flathead County District Court for his Jan. 19 arraignm…
Last of bungling burglars sentenced
Joseph Craig Neva, 20, apologized in Flathead County District Court for his role in the March 26 break-in prior to receiving his punishment.
Cancellation of equine events recommended after deadly virus detected in Flathead County
Following multiple confirmed cases of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy in Flathead County, state officials recommend that area horse owners and event coo…
New high density development pitched for Columbia Falls
Developers are proposing another high density housing project just east of the Flathead River, this time on 22 acres north of U.S. 2 in Columbia Falls.