News
Stay current with top stories from Northwest Montana, including local government updates, education news, community issues, public safety, environmental reports, and regional developments.
Tribal groups join lawsuit seeking restoration of $127 million in canceled farm grants
In March, the USDA canceled 49 of 50 Increasing Land, Capital and Market Access Program grants designed to support…
Suspected thief admits to stealing SUV, sodas
Barah Zebariah Wood, 23, pleaded guilty to amended misdemeanor charges in the latter case and felony theft in the former at a Dec. 15 hearing before Judge Heid…
Kalispell FFA excels at competitions
Kalispell FFA had a standout competitive season this fall with student Ethan Bay placing second in the nation in Farm and Agribusiness Management.
Law roundup: Man calls dispatchers hoping to swat swatting attempt
Informed on a chatting website that he was about to get a visit from law enforcement, a Kalispell area resident contacted the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office in an attempt to head off the confrontation.
Gianforte to appoint next Commissioner of Political Practices from open field
The field is wide open for Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte to select the next Commissioner of Political Practices after a Nomination Committee failed to find consensus Wednesday on applicants who interviewed for the jo…
Montana to hold hearing on proposal to change requirements for Medicaid abortions
Patients who need an abortion paid for through Montana Medicaid will need to provide personal information in advance of the service, such as last menstrual period, to prove “medical necessity,” according to a new r…
Transportation improvement initiatives forge ahead
The $115 million airport expansion will include the addition of two restaurants, a runway viewing lounge area, and a new gate.
Bigfork Food Bank sees uptick in use, while increasing its outreach
The Bigfork Food Bank feeds about 300 families per month.
Electrical failure stranded several hundred skiers, says resort
Whitefish Mountain Resort spokesperson Chad Sokol blamed failures in the electrical and backup electrical systems for the chairlift, also known as Chair 1, for…
13 bison die, struck by vehicles north of West Yellowstone
WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. (AP) — Just over a dozen bison were killed or had to be euthanized after they were struck by vehicles on U.S. Highway 191 just north of the town of West Yellowstone, the western entrance to …
Man wrongfully convicted of killing gets $5M settlement
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — A former western Montana man who was wrongfully convicted of killing his best friend in 1997 and spent 18 years in prison has reached a $5 million settlement with the state and Sanders County,…
US Census Bureau redefines meaning of 'urban' America
Almost 1,000 cities, towns and villages in the U.S. lost their status as urban areas on Thursday as the U.S. Census Bureau released a new list of places consid…
Sword-wielding robbery suspect faces felony charges
Caelus James Hattel, 19, of Kalispell faces felony robbery and criminal possession of dangerous drugs charges in Flathead County District Court following his a…
After a strong year, local tourism industry prepares for challenges ahead
Tourism remained strong in the Flathead Valley this year following a bounce back from Covid but industry leaders remain nervous that a possible economic recess…
Law roundup: Woman goes buggy over pesticides
A woman called the Kalispell Police Department with suspicions that her neighbor was using an overabundance of pesticides and ether to kill bugs in his apartment.
Ring in the new year with celebrations around the Flathead Valley
Say goodbye to 2022 and welcome 2023 the right way with these New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations in the Flathead Valley.