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…
Kalispell council broadens manager's authority to use AG
The Kalispell City Council on Monday unanimously passed a resolution giving the city manager the direct authority to reach out to the state attorney general for assistance with issues related to criminal prosecutio…
County formalizes taxing district for 911 center
The Flathead County commissioners passed a resolution Monday establishing a special taxing district for the Flathead Emergency Communications Center, meeting t…
Headwaters Montana to fold after 13 years of conservation work
After 13 years of advocating for wildlife and wilderness in land management decisions for the Flathead and Kootenai regions, Headwaters Montana will officially…
Die-hards hit the slopes as season opens
At 9:30 a.m. Thursday, the sun slid out from behind a cloud and a cheer went up from the crowd of skiers and snowboarders gathered by the base of Chair 1 at Wh…
CSKT leaders say 'Big Sky' producers exploiting tribes
PABLO — Leaders of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are calling out ABC Studios for actions they deem exploitative regarding the production of the n…
Surgeon General commends Montana for reducing virus spread
HELENA (AP) — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock was joined by U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams Thursday as they commended residents for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the state even as the number of cases in other pa…
Judge demands speedy demolition of Flathead Lake's 'bridge to nowhere'
A court-appointed engineer will oversee the demolition of a private "bridge to nowhere" that connects Dockstader Island to the north shore of Flathead Lake.
Man charged with felony child endangerment
A Kalispell man was arrested after authorities said he drove drunk during an alleged hit-and-run while a child was in the vehicle.
Board finalizes hiring of retired health officer
The Flathead City-County Health Department will be under new leadership beginning next week after the Board of Health unanimously approved a final contract for…
Ski resort opens today with 7 lifts
Whitefish Mountain Resort opens for the winter ski season Thursday with seven lifts operating and 35 inches of snow at the summit.
License permanently suspended for Ranch for Kids near Rexford
An administrative law judge has ruled in favor of actions taken by the state Department of Public Health and Human Services to remove 27 children in July 2019 from the Ranch for Kids, a private alternative adolesce…
New high-school band director keeps the beat in Whitefish
Matthew King stood on the ladder podium conducting the famous Ohio State marching band during the second quarter of the BCS National Championship college footb…
Montana gets $126M to expand rural broadband service
Six internet providers are expected to extend broadband service to nearly 46,000 homes and businesses in rural Montana with nearly $126 million from the Federal Communications Commission.
Tree shines blue light on fallen officers
Born out of a tragedy, Concerns of Police Survivors has worked for decades as a support system for those affected by the deaths of on-duty law enforcement offi…
House fire near Dayton leaves family of seven homeless
A fire that destroyed a home on Gunbarrel Lane in the Chief Cliff area between Elmo and Dayton Monday afternoon has left a Northwest Montana family homeless a …