News
Stay current with top stories from Northwest Montana, including local government updates, education news, community issues, public safety, environmental reports, and regional developments.
Montana snowpack rapidly melted in May
Throughout May, warm temperatures across Montana led to a rapid melt off of the state’s snowpack, which sits “larg…
Legal challenges stack up over state vax law and federal mandate
Two breaking legal developments on the vaccination front occurred in quick succession Friday.
US to gauge climate damage from federal oil and gas sales
U.S. government regulators for the first time will analyze greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas drilling on federal lands on a national scale, as the Bide…
Whitefish rejects hotel for U.S. 93; approves another on Central Ave.
Whitefish City Council last week denied one hotel project on U.S. 93 South, while approving a boutique hotel planned downtown on Central Avenue at the same mee…
Aluminum shortage disrupts license plate printing in Montana
A disruption in the aluminum supply has put a temporary stop to traditional license plate manufacturing in Montana.
Court says coal mine expansion permit ignored pollution law
Montana environmental regulators ignored the law when they permitted an expansion of a massive strip mine that is the sole source of coal for a large power plant despite concerns over water pollution, a state judge…
Talk it out — speech and debate teams ready to roll
Speech and debate competitors are ready to talk the talk at the Kalispell Kickoff Saturday.
Town Pump to match $1M in 20th food bank fundraiser
With demand for food bank services continuing to surge in Montana as the pandemic wears on, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation is matching $1 million in contributions during its 20th annual fundraising campaign fo…
Grizzlies drawn to Columbia Falls by compost facility
A composting facility just outside the Columbia Falls city limits has attracted at least nine grizzly bears, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Dillon …
Law roundup: Man knows which dog ‘did the deed’
Two people with “a lot of bad history” got into a fight because one suspected the other had let his dog defecate on the other person’s property.
Western Montana teenager dies in accidental shooting
A teenager from the western Montana town of Victor was killed in an accidental shooting when a firearm being handled by a friend discharged, Ravalli County officials said Thursday.
Facebook Inc. rebrands as Meta to stress 'metaverse' plan
An embattled Facebook Inc. is changing its name to Meta Platforms Inc., or Meta for short, to reflect what CEO Mark Zuckerberg says is its commitment to develo…
Flathead health officials confirm first flu case in over a year
Flathead County confirmed its first flu case of the season on Thursday.
Alleged killer pleads not guilty in shooting outside Fuel Fitness
A transient man charged with murder in the alleged shooting death of the manager of Fuel Fitness in Kalispell last month pleaded not guilty Thursday morning in…
MSU seeks to name nursing college after Whitefish philanthropists
Montana State University is planning to ask the state’s Board of Regents to approve naming its nursing college after part-time Whitefish residents Mark and Rob…
Conservation project hopes to curtail erosion, restore Krause Creek near Bigfork
A new conservation project aims to restore areas of Krause Creek that have eroded into 15-foot deep canyons northwest of Bigfork.