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.
Primary delivers mixed results for Northwest Montana incumbents
Tuesday’s primary election delivered beginnings and endings to political hopefuls across Northwest Montana.
Rosendale declares interest in Senate race after jab from GOP group
The National Republican Senatorial Committee, chaired by Montana Sen. Steve Daines, took a swing at U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale this week, blaming him for the imp…
Montana Library Commission strikes library director standard
Despite an outpouring of opposition in recent weeks, the Montana State Library Commission voted 5-2 Wednesday to eliminate a requirement that directors of the …
Gov. Gianforte announces task force to deal with rising property taxes
Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte announced this week he will launch a task force to address rising property taxes — an idea met with some skepticism from both si…
Suspect in Kalispell chase given suspended sentences
A man accused of leading authorities on a chase through downtown Kalispell in February received a trio of suspended sentences in Flathead County District Court…
Vaccine debate stalls rules aimed at easing child care shortage
Last month, Republican and Democratic lawmakers on a legislative interim committee voted to object to a sweeping revision of state rules for child care provide…
Suspect in drug-fueled wreck back in county jail
A Kalispell man facing a felony negligent vehicular assault charge is back behind bars after skipping out on a September status hearing in Flathead County Dist…
Zinke calls on University of Montana to drop exchange program with China
U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke last week called on the University of Montana to cut ties with China, asking them to cancel a law student exchange program set to take pla…
Wasps culprits in Pablo well contamination
Thirsty wasps, discovered in the electrical boxes of two wells in Pablo, are blamed for an e. coli contamination that forced residents and businesses to boil w…
Former Spotted Bear District Ranger says he was ousted
The former Spotted Bear District ranger claims he was removed from his post last spring in part for trying to protect the Bob Marshall Wilderness’ natural valu…
Whitefish Mountain Resort to open for season with Chair 7, East Rim terrain
Whitefish Mountain Resort will open for the winter season Thursday as planned, even as a round of undeveloped snow soaked the region.
Area schools compete in three speech and debate tournaments
It was a busy weekend for area high schools competing in different speech and debate tournaments in Helena and Frenchtown Dec. 1 and 2.
Columbia Falls will lose ‘doughnut’ planning under new state law
Columbia Falls will soon lose its “doughnut," an extraterritorial planning jurisdiction that gives the municipality say in developments outside the city limits.
Logan Health staff celebrates 10 pregnancies in two units
Ten staff members are or have recently been pregnant in the intensive care and intermediate care units. The women say it’s allowed them to share advice and fee…
‘Many unknowns’ as Lake County pulls out of decades-old tribal law enforcement agreement
Officials in Lake County have said there are more questions than answers after they informed the state that they were pulling out of a decades-old agreement because it can no longer afford to pay for law enforcemen…
Attorneys for Gianforte, agencies ask Supreme Court to put order in Montana climate case on hold
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration says it is impractical for the state to immediately start addressing greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts …