Local News
Your source for reliable, in-depth reporting on Northwest Montana’s communities, government, and daily life—delivering the stories that matter most to you.
Construction of new Flathead County jail celebrated with groundbreaking ceremony
Nearly 20 people involved with the project posed for the photo-op, including the three county commissioners, Sheri…
Abandoned mill to get new tenant
The former Weyerhaeuser lumber mill in Columbia Falls will soon gain a new tenant.
Multiple injuries in U.S. 2 head-on crash
A head-on car crash sent multiple people to the hospital and shut down U.S. 2 for nearly an hour Friday afternoon.
Meetings to discuss Kootenai watershed mining
The Kootenai River Network will hold two public meetings in Northwest Montana next week to discuss coal mining operations in British Columbia’s Elk River Valley, and how they could impact Montana water quality.
Convicted murderer sentenced to life
Trevor Mercier, the Libby man convicted Aug. 10 of deliberate homicide in the October 2016 death of Sheena Devine, was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with…
Woman takes plea deal after charges of sharing drugs while in jail
A woman who was found to be in violation of her probation for distributing dangerous drugs has also been charged with possession of dangerous drugs.
Montana health insurance rates climb upward
Health insurance rates will continue their upward trend for yet another year in Montana. State officials released 2018 health insurance rates Tuesday, which included average rate increases of between 4 and 22.3 per…
Whitefish Independent grad takes a different path
State honors passing of former First Lady
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff on Friday, Oct. 13, in honor of former Montana First Lady Ann Stephens,…
GOP leaders: Bullock has authority to cut budget
HELENA — Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock has all the authority he needs to cut the state budget to address an expected revenue shortfall, Republican legislative …
Prescribed burns slated for Stillwater State Forest
The state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is conducting prescribed burns in Stillwater State Forest this October and November.
County poised to adopt U.S. 93 corridor plan
After more than five hours of discussion and a final round of tweaking, the Flathead County commissioners on Oct. 18 are expected to take the first formal step in adopting a corridor plan and overlay zone for a str…
Seaplanes eyed in invasive species efforts
Montana’s struggle against aquatic invasive species has gained a new focus: seaplanes.
Flautau earns regional award
Mark Flautau has been named the superintendent of the year for the Northwest Region of the Montana Association of School Superintendents.
Whitefish manager holds coffee gathering
Whitefish City Manager Adam Hammatt will hold his monthly “Coffee with the City Manager” gathering at 7 a.m. today, Thursday, Oct. 12 at Montana Coffee Traders in downtown Whitefish. He conducts the coffee sessions…
Ward 4 challenger prefers scaled back government
Two Montana natives are vying for the Ward 4 seat on the Kalispell City Council.