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…
Senate approves bill to aid vets exposed to toxic burn pits
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill enhancing health care and disability benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits won final approval in the Senate on …
MSU’s computer science program gives Kalispell undergraduate room to run in unexpected directions
For the recent Montana State University student, computer science has matched her adventurous spirit and work ethic, giving her room to run in sometimes unexpe…
Great Fish Community Challenge opens with launch party
This year’s Great Fish Community Challenge runs Aug. 4 to Sept. 16 and will benefit 70 Flathead Valley nonprofit organizations.
Convicted animal abuser headed to trial on assault charge
Prosecutors accuse Domingo J. Palafox, 31, of shooting at a pair of anglers on the Hungry Horse Reservoir in June 2020.
Teen in custody after allegedly shooting at father
Jeremiah Russell Rardon is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond following the July 29 confrontation. He turned himself in to a…
Law roundup: Where did the time go?
A woman who reported an incident to the Kalispell Police Department was told to call back if she noticed anything missing. She called later to report a hanging calendar was gone. Officers advised a man that a side…
County voters to decide marijuana tax
The county could see an estimated $460,000 in revenue yearly from the tax.
Kalispell moves forward on parking garage and multi-family housing project
Kalispell City Council on Monday authorized allowing city staff to negotiate a developer’s agreement and lease agreement with the Montana Hotel Dev Partners ba…
Family intervention ends in arrest, felony charges
Donald Douglas Houtonen, 35, faces felony charges of driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense, and strangulation of a partner or family member following his July 29 arrest.
Series of fires extinguished in the Bigfork area under investigation
Authorities are investigating a series of fires started in the south valley and Bigfork areas in recent days and calling on the public for help.
Authorities ID woman killed after fall through skylight
Officials have identified Erika Brisendine as the 20-year-old woman who fell through a skylight at the gymnasium of the Columbia Falls High School on July 31.
Elmo Fire threatening 50 structures
More evacuation orders were issued overnight Monday and Tuesday as winds pushed the Elmo 2 Fire precariously close to U.S. 93 near Chief Cliff, prompting a tem…
Montana Democratic platform reaffirms support for abortion access, state Constitution and public lands
Montana Democrats met in their historical stronghold of Butte this weekend for the party’s 2022 platform convention, reaffirming support for positions core to the party’s identity following a year of Republican con…
Kalispell man dies in ATV crash on Whitefish Stage
Alcohol and speed are suspected factors in a crash that killed a Kalispell man over the weekend when the ATV he was driving collided with a pickup.
Evergreen administrator honored for work in special education
Evergreen School District Director of Special Services Mary Meehan has been named the 2022 Outstanding Administrator of Special Education by the Montana Counci…