News
Stay current with top stories from Northwest Montana, including local government updates, education news, community issues, public safety, environmental reports, and regional developments.
Kalispell City Council supports license plate reader technology, higher fees to free up on-street parking
City councilors in Kalispell appeared willing to increase fines for parking violations and buy license plate reade…
County planning board looks at residential projects
The county planning board meets at 6 p.m. on the second floor conference room of the South Campus Building at 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell.
Suspect in backyard attack pleads guilty after striking deal
The 30-year-old had pleaded not guilty to all three during his Aug. 11 arraignment.
Man who allegedly threatened relatives receives deferred sentence
Judge Dan Wilson handed the sentence down to Joseph Thomas Oliver, 37, on Dec. 8, giving him credit for 138 days of time served.
Restaurateur charged following spate of thefts
A local chef and restaurateur faces a felony charge after allegedly shoplifting more than $1,500 in retail goods from an area big box retailer earlier this year.
Board of Environmental Review seeks selenium rule redo
The quarrel over a Lake Koocanusa water quality standard took an unusual turn Friday when the state Board of Environmental Review voted to send a letter to the…
Sen. Daines nominates local students for military academies
U.S. Senator Steve Daines on Tuesday nominated 19 Montana students who are applying for enrollment into U.S. military academies, including two from the Flathead Valley.
Lake County expresses intent to withdraw from Public Law 280
Public Law 280, a unique agreement that has shaped law enforcement in Lake County and on the Flathead Reservation for nearly 60 years, has reached “a breaking …
Law roundup: Busybody is suspicious of kids going door-to-door
The Columbia Falls Police Department received a report from a neighborhood busybody who was suspicious of four 12- to 14-year-olds going door-to-door asking people something. One of the youths was holding a garbage…
Kalispell City Council signals interest in program for energy efficient improvements
Kalispell City Council signaled interest in establishing a C-PACE district in the municipality during a work session held Monday.
Police: 2 injured in Kalispell shooting
Kalispell Police are investigating a Monday, Dec. 12 disturbance in the southwest area of the city that left two individuals hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
Transgender lawmaker hopes her presence brings understanding
Zooey Zephyr worked behind the scenes during Montana's 2021 legislative session to oppose an ultimately unsuccessful effort to ban transgender minors from rece…
Montana's minimum wage rising 75 cents to $9.95 in January
Montana's minimum wage is increasing 75 cents an hour to $9.95 starting on Jan. 1, the Department of Labor and Industry announced.
Woman sues family services over rape, pregnancy at age 11
A Montana woman has filed a lawsuit against the state child and family services agency saying it failed to protect her from her mother's boyfriend, who was eventually convicted of raping and impregnating her when s…
A slowdown in US inflation eases some pressure on households
Inflation in the United States slowed again last month in the latest sign that price increases are cooling despite the pressures they continue to inflict on Am…
Mom starts school to meet the needs of neurodivergent children
A new private school geared to neurodivergent learners has opened in Kalispell.