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.
Montana snowpack rapidly melted in May
Throughout May, warm temperatures across Montana led to a rapid melt off of the state’s snowpack, which sits “larg…
Bill would let cities tax Airbnbs to subsidize long-term rentals
A bill under consideration at the Montana Legislature would give cities, counties and resort districts the option of levying a tax on Airbnb-style, short-term …
Columbia Falls legislator targets prohibition on pre-made Jell-O shots
Rep. Braxton Mitchell is taking on prohibition — of pre-made, alcohol infused gelatin desserts known to partiers everywhere as Jell-O shots.
Supreme Court weighs liability shield for internet giants
A lawsuit against YouTube from the family of an American college student who was killed by Islamic State gunmen in Paris in 2015 is at the center of a closely …
Honoring life and career, Kila man inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame
Tom Harmon was inducted Feb. 11 into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame as part of the 2023 inductees for District 10 which includes Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and S…
Public park ordinances to undergo second reading by Kalispell City Council
The Tuesday, Feb. 21 meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. Residents and interested parties also can attend via Zoom.
Whitefish looks at temporary halt for new marijuana shops
The meeting is on Tuesday due to the Presidents’ Day holiday. City Council meets at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall, 418 E Second St.
Lake County objects to water compact
Lake County commissioners unanimously voted Feb. 8 to object to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai’s water compact with the federal government and the state of Montana.
Blizzard conditions target Flathead Valley
Weather forecasters are confident that heavy snowfall will impact all of Northwest Montana beginning Monday.
Kalispell Public Schools moves forward with plans to relocate its central office
The Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees unanimously approved signing a letter of intent to lease a building at 1935 Third Ave. E. with the option to purchase to relocate its central offices.
Community briefs
Whitefish library brings back coding class; Registration opens for home buyer education classes; P.E.O. taking scholarship applications; Free the Seeds event March 4
GOP lawmakers shy away from changing Montana’s constitutional right to abortion
Republican lawmakers in Montana wield a supermajority that gives them the power to ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would break the link b…
E-bike bill advances in key House floor vote
A bill that would explicitly open much of Montana’s trail network to e-bikes is positioned to clear the House of Representatives following lawmakers’ 54-46 vote to advance the measure.
Glacier Park International Airport expansion off to a flying start
A year and a half into construction, Glacier Park International Airport is making significant progress on its $150 million terminal expansion project with the …
Foundation awards grant to youth restorative justice program
The $95,000 grant was made possible by donors to the Kids Fund, established in 2019 as an initiative to support areas of health, safety and education that miti…
Law roundup: Someone leaves cryptic note on door
Someone allegedly left a note on a man’s door that read “Death to the confeds.”