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…
Anti-abortion movement sees plenty of work ahead at Kalispell rally
There remains work left to do in the anti-abortion movement. That was the message repeated by speakers and organizers of the annual March for Life rally in Kal…
Law roundup: Whose nose knows the smell of meth
A woman, who complained about a strong “drug” smell a couple of weeks ago, called the Kalispell Police Department again asking an officer to stop by because the smell had become so strong, she couldn’t go out her b…
Rosendale on hand to christen Montana Freedom Caucus
Helena — U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, fresh from a bitter intra-GOP battle for the House speakership, swung through the state Capitol on Thursday to officially ch…
UM study finds ‘Yellowstone’ series generates $750M in spending in Montana
Centered on the fictional Dutton family ranch, “Yellowstone” is largely filmed in Darby, Hamilton, Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley, and it treated more than…
County commissioners blame shelters, homeless network for rise in homelessness
Flathead County commissioners issued a letter Thursday criticizing homeless services organizations and calling upon residents to deny homeless people help or s…
Opponents say bill to change Montana obscenity law could have ‘debilitating’ effects
Sponsored by Rep. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay, the measure would open public library, museum and public school employees to criminal charges, potential fines up to $500 and six months of jail time under Montana’s obsceni…
Law roundup: Neighbor’s dogs prompt questions about city ordinances
A reluctant resident called the Kalispell Police Department to inquire about whether a city ordinance caps the number of dogs an individual can own at one time.
Third Kalispell burglar sentenced in district court
Joseph Claude Victoria, 20, received a suspended five-year sentence with the state Department of Corrections for felony conspiracy to commit burglary on Jan. 1…
Montana to pause rental assistance program, citing backlog and diminished funding
A key COVID-era relief program to assist renters may be approaching its expiration date in Montana.
Historic Glacier cabin seeks Preservation Grant approval
The cabin, which sits at the head of Lake McDonald, was once the summer home of Montana Sen. Burton K. Wheeler. It is on the National Register of Historic Plac…
Bigfork School Board authorizes purchase of electric bus
The district was awarded $375,000 for an electric bus in 2022 through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program.
Bill to revise forestland taxation advances in the Senate
A bill to revise forestland taxation laws passed through the Senate Taxation Committee last week with a unanimous vote and was referred to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee.
Bill would require rental application fee refunds
House Bill 233, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Kortum, D-Bozeman, would require landlords to provide refunds to any applicant who doesn’t sign a lease “within a reasonable period of time.”
US Treasury buys time for Biden and GOP on debt limit deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government bumped up against its debt limit Thursday, prompting the Treasury Department to take "extraordinary" accounting steps to …
Senate passes Chief Earl Old Person Highway designation, moves on to House
Sen. Susan Webber’s bill that would designate a portion of U.S. Highway 89 to the late Chief Earl Old Person passed the Senate on third reading Tuesday.