News
Stay current with top stories from Northwest Montana, including local government updates, education news, community issues, public safety, environmental reports, and regional developments.
Girl in intensive care after Middle Fork rafting accident
A girl from Columbus, Ohio nearly drowned in a rafting accident on the Middle Fork last week. A GoFundMe campaign …
Threats phoned into Libby schools deemed unfounded
Police are investigating threatening phone calls made to the Libby Elementary School and the Libby Middle High School late Wednesday morning.
Library commission OKs new logo with minor color changes
The commission that oversees the Montana State Library voted Wednesday to accept a new logo with colors pulled from the state flag after one commissioner criti…
Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million for Sandy Hook lies
Jurors ordered conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Wednesday to pay nearly $1 billion to Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims' relatives and an FBI agen…
Idaho nuclear waste treatment plant could start in December
A nuclear waste treatment plant in eastern Idaho designed to treat 900,000 gallons (3.4 million liters) of sodium-bearing, radioactive waste that has had numer…
6 wolves poisoned in northeast Washington, reward offered
Six wolves found dead this year in northeast Washington were poisoned and a reward is being offered for tips leading to a conviction in the case, officials sai…
Accused of assault, Kalispell man pleads guilty to drunk driving
Donald Douglas Houtonen, 35, entered the guilty plea to driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense, on Sept. 26 after reaching a deal with prosecutors.
Man accused of threatening inn staff, deputies sentenced
Judge Robert Allison critiqued the agreement between prosecutors and Kyle Ross Burglund, 41, as he handed down his sentences late last month, describing them a…
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS State library staff gave more than $240K in bonuses that didn’t meet state guidelines, auditors say
The Montana State Library System awarded more than $244,000 in bonuses to staff that was contrary to state law because auditors said the basis for the awards was not clearly outlined.
County planning board holds vote on KM Ranch Road project
The county planning board meets at 6 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the South Campus Building at 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell. Recommendations from the planning board are forwarded to the Flathead Count…
Amendment on ballot would require warrant to access electronic data
As Montana voters head to the polls this fall, they’ll have the chance to amend the state Constitution to add language explicitly requiring law enforcement to obtain a search warrant before accessing a person’s pri…
Community leaders look to address increase in homelessness
The number of people experiencing homelessness in Kalispell is now the second highest in the state sitting slightly behind Missoula, according to the Montana Homeless Point-In-Time count provided annually by the Mo…
Law Roundup: Misunderstanding prompts police response
A motorist passing through Coram confronted a woman in another vehicle on the side of the road after spotting her hitting an unseen object.
U.S. sued for pollution from retardant drops on wildfires
An environmental group filed a lawsuit Tuesday against U.S. Forest Service officials that alleges they polluted waterways during their campaigns against wildfi…
Angela Lansbury, 'Murder She Wrote' star, dies at 96
NEW YORK (AP) — Angela Lansbury, the scene-stealing British actor who kicked up her heels in the Broadway musicals "Mame" and "Gypsy" and solved endless murder…
Conservative PACs inject millions into local school races
As Republicans and Democrats fight for control of Congress this fall, a growing number of conservative political action groups are targeting their efforts clos…