News
Stay current with top stories from Northwest Montana, including local government updates, education news, community issues, public safety, environmental reports, and regional developments.
State considers loosened harvest limits and bait restrictions for western Montana anglers
New angling regulations may remove catch and possession limits for several non-native species and expand bait and …
Blankenship Fire Department welcomes ‘new’ fire truck
An old engine for Columbia Falls is a welcome new rig for the Blankenship Fire Department. Blankenship in December bought Columbia Falls 1994 HME Central State…
Gianforte administration says it will reconsider policy change to restrict Capitol rallies
The Montana Department of Administration is considering revising a recent policy change that restricts weekend rallies at the Capitol in Helena, according to d…
Bigfork enrollment decline will impact school budget, superintendent warns
Bigfork School District Superintendent Tom Stack warned educators to prepare for budget reductions beginning in the 2027-28 school year due to falling enrollme…
Change of plea hearing postponed for Kalispell teen accused of shooting sister
A Kalispell teenager accused of shooting his sister in the head on Halloween 2024 saw his change of plea hearing postponed earlier this month.
Rural Flathead County school districts put levy elections before voters
School elections are May 5. Here is a roundup of what’s on the ballot in area districts, including Helena Flat, Fair-Mont-Egan, Deer Park and Cayuse Prairie.
Kalispell woman who allegedly passed out while driving lands deferred sentence
Prosecutors brought 31-year-old Shawna Jade Black of Kalispell up on a felony count of criminal child endangerment following the Oct. 3, 2024, wreck on Two Mile Drive.
Kalispell man charged for stealing from construction site gets suspended jail sentence
Originally charged with felony burglary, 40-year-old Gregory Holm of Kalispell pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft at his Jan. 22 arraignment before Judge Amy Eddy in Flathead County District Court.
Child pornography case dismissed after defendant dies
Businessman Steven Dale Rasmussen, 58, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of children at his Dec. 11 arraignment before Judge Amy Eddy in Flathead County District Court.
Flathead County commissioners approve septic regulation changes allowing gravity systems
In 2004, health officials worked to change septic regulations after determining that the county’s large amount of surface water required a higher level of trea…
Law roundup: Woman gets noticed for making a scene
A Central Avenue employee called the Whitefish Police Department because a woman, who allegedly tried to pass off a fake ID, was “making a scene.” Officers confirmed she was 21.
Thompson Falls Council rewinds decision on video recordings
The March Thompson Falls City Council meeting last week was standing room only, with many residents attending in support of reinstating video recordings of cou…
Former Polson man files complaint against library alleging ADA violation
Former Polson resident Michael Ross has lodged a civil complaint in U.S. District Court in Missoula, accusing the North Lake County Library and its director, A…
Lincoln County benefits from federal dollars
Resuming SRS funding also reduces pressure on the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program.
Whitefish School Board to weigh interim superintendent after failed contract talks
The Whitefish School Board will consider appointing an interim superintendent for the 2026/27 school year after contract negotiations fell through with its sel…
Law roundup: Man claims cop robbed him of tow job
A man called the Kalispell Police Department upset that a towing job was reportedly given to another company “even though everything was set up for him to go take it” and wanted to speak to an officer about his dec…