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.
New owner begins renovating former Outlaw Inn, details plan for extended-stay rentals
Columbia Falls developer Mick Ruis has begun renovating the former Outlaw Inn after its previous owner left the bu…
Whitefish may keep mask requirements under Gianforte
Citing concerns that Montana's new governor might rescind a statewide mask mandate, the Whitefish City Council is considering whether to extend face-covering requirements within city limits to keep COVID-19 cases u…
Development, land-use proposals dominate Kalispell agenda
The Kalispell City Council has a full agenda tonight for its first meeting of the new year as development and land-use proposals continue to dominate the agenda.
Whitefish murder suspect lands in county jail
A California man accused in the beating death of a Whitefish man last summer is lodged in the Flathead County Detention Center.
Local snowboards ride from Big Mountain to Bolivia
Brittan Ellingson has been running a world-class snowboard and wakeboard shop out of his Whitefish home for almost a decade, but a lot of locals still haven’t …
Flathead Food Bank buys Gateway Center space
At the end of December, the Flathead Food Bank finalized its purchase of the space it currently operates out of at the Gateway Community Center in Kalispell, a…
Gianforte cabinet takes shape
HELENA — Gov.-elect Greg Gianforte has begun to assemble his cabinet, naming a slate of officials with Montana roots and administrators from Republican circles in other parts of the country to fill director-level p…
Montana Legislature kicks off 2021 session Monday
When the Montana Legislature convenes Monday for its 2021 session, the top priority for many lawmakers will be fixing an economy ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Last responders’ brace for COVID deaths
In some parts of the country, the surge in COVID cases is overwhelming coroners, morgues, funeral homes and religious leaders, requiring ingenuity and even cha…
Board to consider coffee stand near Kalispell's Woodland Park
Kalispell could get a new coffee stand if the Flathead County Board of Adjustment approves the project during its next meeting on Tuesday.
Dark Sky defender: Intern recognized for work in Glacier National Park
Armed only with a sky quality meter, a pencil and a datasheet, Iree Wheeler recently joined the ranks of this planet’s “Dark Sky Defenders” after receiving the…
Hockaday Museum of Art to close temporarily for month of January
Starting Monday, Jan. 4, the Hockaday Museum of Art’s classes, programs, tours, events and programs will be temporarily closed through the end of January to the public for facilities maintenance and pandemic remedi…
Montana Children's: New Warrior Bell rings in wellness for young patients
Six months after receiving his final cancer treatment there, 10-year-old Wacee Simenson of Chinook returned to Montana Children’s pediatric center in Kalispell…
Glacier National Park: Latest effort to preserve a native trout species a success
A project to rid a couple of high mountain lakes in Glacier National Park of non-native fish and replace them with native species was a success, Park fisheries biologist Chris Downs said.
Abell sworn in as Flathead County commissioner
Shortly after he was sworn in as a Flathead County commissioner Wednesday morning, Brad Abell returned to Columbia Falls to work his last day as a heavy-equipm…
The persuasion problem: Health officials trying to change minds about virus
Nine months into the pandemic that has killed more than 320,000 people in the U.S., Kim Larson is still trying to convince others in her northern Montana count…