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.
Counting machines add vote of confidence to elections security
The conference room of the Flathead County Elections Department whirred with noise. Volunteers rattled off strings…
Schools take advantage of state tax credit programs
Public schools across Montana claimed $6.96 million in dollar-for-dollar tax credits for donors in just 7 minutes and 17 seconds through the state’s Innovative…
Polson man sentenced to 75 years for murdering his mother
A Polson man accused of murdering his mother was sentenced in District Court in Polson Feb. 13 to a total of 75 years in the Montana State Prison.
Mission airport receives nearly $500,000 improvement grant
The St. Ignatius Airport received a $495,000 grant, and Polson Airport received $30,960, with a $5,040 loan, from the Montana Aeronautics Board to fund infrast…
Motorist pleads guilty to vehicular homicide while under the influence
A Kalispell woman accused of killing another motorist in an alcohol-fueled New Year’s Day crash near Bigfork in 2025 pleaded guilty Thursday after striking a d…
Flathead High School principal among finalists for Whitefish superintendent job
The Flathead High School principal and the former superintendent for Fair-Mont-Egan School are among the three finalists to be the next superintendent for Whit…
Avalanche forecasters warn of ‘considerable’ slide risks after late-winter storm
After minimal snowfall across Montana most of the winter, the arrival of a heavy storm this week has led avalanche forecasters to warn recreators about “consid…
Essex ‘blindsided’ by looming closure of historic Izaak Walton Inn
ESSEX — Over the winter, those in the tiny mountain hamlet of Essex, on the southern edge of Glacier National Park, said something felt amiss around LOGE Glaci…
Judge sentences protesters arrested at Whitefish Border Patrol station last year
A trio of protesters arrested for blocking a Border Patrol vehicle last year pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors in Whitefish Municipal Court on Wednesday.
Kalispell to take third shot at federal grant to finish south half of U.S. 93 Bypass
Kalispell City Council on Tuesday night voted to reapply for a federal grant to fund the completion of the south half of the U.S. 93 Bypass.
Suspected drug dealer gets suspended sentence after plea deal
A man who allegedly arranged a drug deal for undercover agents in a Whitefish bar in 2023 later received a suspended sentence in Flathead County District Court.
Glacier National Park plans express shuttles, parking limit at Logan Pass as reservation system ends
In an effort to make Logan Pass more easily accessible, Glacier National Park is rolling out a new ticketed shuttle system this summer that includes early morn…
Libby officials call for patience as flood work continues
Libby officials are asking for the community’s patience as the effects of December's flooding persist.
Mineral County seeks part-time grant writer as it rolls out construction on courthouse, jail
Mineral County commissioners unanimously voted Thursday to advertise in-house for a part-time grant writer, seeing an urgent need to get ahead on funding appli…
Flathead Valley speech and debate students advance to 2026 national tournament
Fifteen top speech and debate students talked their way to a spot on the national stage at the West District qualifying tournament Feb. 13-14 in Missoula.
Community rallies to find, rehabilitate missing dog near Cyr
In early November, a single photo of an emaciated and scared dog along the railroad tracks near Alberton blew up on social media between Frenchtown and Superio…