News
Stay current with top stories from Northwest Montana, including local government updates, education news, community issues, public safety, environmental reports, and regional developments.
Flathead Valley Community College holds 58th annual commencement May 15
Commencement will take place in Wachholz College Center.
Montana commission suggests using $15M on affordable housing
A commission tasked with making recommendations for how Montana should spend some of its federal coronavirus relief funding voted Thursday to recommend Gov. Gr…
Thorne Creek Fire prompts new evacuations in Sanders County
Residents of two small communities in Sanders County were ordered to evacuate Thursday as the Thorne Creek Fire continued to grow amid hot and gusty weather.
Census: Flathead County grew 15% over past decade
Census figures released Thursday provided a first look at how the population of Montana has changed over the past decade, and the information will be used to d…
Missoula police officer shoots, kills man who allegedly fired shot
A Missoula police officer shot and killed a 21-year-old man who fled a traffic stop, led the officer on a pursuit through the city and then fired a gun at the officer, police said Thursday.
Legislature asks state Supreme Court to reconsider subpoena decision
The Montana Legislature has contested a recent state Supreme Court decision about legislative subpoena powers, filing an 11th-hour brief Wednesday afternoon th…
Bigfork man returned to jail after domestic incident
A Bigfork man charged with assaulting a police officer last month in Whitefish was arrested again after a domestic incident at a Woods Bay residence.
Silo development gets green light from Kalispell Planning Board
A plan to transform defunct grain silos in downtown Kalispell into a mixed-use development featuring apartments, commercial space and a top-story restaurant re…
Highway reopens to residents near Boulder Fire
A stretch of Montana 35 east of Polson was reopened Wednesday to residents previously displaced by the Boulder 2700 Fire.
Major wildfires threatening towns in Montana, California
Wildfires in Montana threatened rural towns and ranchland, and victims of a California blaze returned to their incinerated town even as the region faced anothe…
Two hikers sustain minor injuries in grizzly encounter
A grizzly bear injured two people in an encounter southeast of Ennis, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported Wednesday.
Fires charring US West range set up ranchers for hardship
Wildfires tearing through eastern Montana and elsewhere in the U.S. West are devouring vast areas of rangeland that cattle ranchers depend upon, setting the st…
Masks will be optional at Kalispell Public Schools
Wearing masks will be optional — but strongly encouraged — at Kalispell Public Schools following a unanimous decision by the school board on Tuesday.
Democrats oppose changes to Medicaid expansion eligibility
Democratic lawmakers in Montana said they are opposed to a plan to end 12-month continuous eligibility for people who qualify for Medicaid expansion or another…
Man jailed after police chase, standoff near Columbia Falls
A wanted man is in custody after a police chase and standoff Wednesday morning on Montana 206 near Columbia Falls.
More Flathead residents seek COVID tests amid surge in cases
Flathead County COVID-19 testing sites have seen an uptick in activity in recent weeks as the number of active cases in the area continues to surge.