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.
Girl in intensive care after Middle Fork rafting accident
A girl from Columbus, Ohio nearly drowned in a rafting accident on the Middle Fork last week. A GoFundMe campaign …
Historic Glacier cabin seeks Preservation Grant approval
The cabin, which sits at the head of Lake McDonald, was once the summer home of Montana Sen. Burton K. Wheeler. It is on the National Register of Historic Plac…
Bigfork School Board authorizes purchase of electric bus
The district was awarded $375,000 for an electric bus in 2022 through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program.
Bill to revise forestland taxation advances in the Senate
A bill to revise forestland taxation laws passed through the Senate Taxation Committee last week with a unanimous vote and was referred to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee.
Bill would require rental application fee refunds
House Bill 233, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Kortum, D-Bozeman, would require landlords to provide refunds to any applicant who doesn’t sign a lease “within a reasonable period of time.”
Senate passes Chief Earl Old Person Highway designation, moves on to House
Sen. Susan Webber’s bill that would designate a portion of U.S. Highway 89 to the late Chief Earl Old Person passed the Senate on third reading Tuesday.
Feds send $930 million to curb 'crisis' of US West wildfires
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. is directing $930 million toward reducing wildfire dangers in 10 western states by clearing trees and underbrush from national …
Crypto company with mine in Columbia Falls accused of fraud
A cryptocurrency company with a bitcoin mining center in Columbia Falls is facing multiple class-action lawsuits alleging that it defrauded millions of dollars…
Columbia Falls to host upcoming skijoring event
Skijoring is coming to Columbia Falls.
Felon faces revocation of suspended sentences
Anthony Star Hopper, 39, denied the allegations at a Dec. 15 hearing in Flathead County District Court.
Higher ed commissioner issues TikTok ban
Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian directed all campuses in the Montana University System last week to block access to the social media app TikTok on university-run networks and to suspend a…
Kalispell City Council holds off on creating C-PACE district
Kalispell City Council postponed creation of a C-PACE district at its Tuesday meeting after City Manager Doug Russell recommended a temporary delay.
City closes Depot Park gazebo to the public
The gazebo in Kalispell’s Depot Park was closed to the public Wednesday as city officials deal with resident complaints about the presence of the homeless indi…
Suspect allegedly admits to theft, denies pulling knife
Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Martin Phillip Rose III, 48, the same day as the alleged Jan. 10 robbery.
Whitefish rape suspect pleads guilty
Shane Wilson, 35, pleaded guilty to a single count of sexual intercourse without consent in Flathead County District Court last month after striking a deal wit…
Montana House Judiciary hears bill for certificates in ‘nonviable births’
A bill that would end up requiring a death certificate for miscarriages drew criticism that it was part of “an anti-choice” agenda, but sponsor Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, said he was willing to amend …