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 man convicted of rape in Gallatin County
A Kalispell man was recently convicted by a Gallatin County jury for raping a woman while she was drunk and unconscious.
Early-release Wednesdays OK’d for Kalispell schools
Students enrolled in Kalispell Public Schools will be released two hours early on Wednesdays, starting Nov. 11.
Group opposed to COVID restrictions makes stop in Kalispell
A new group that opposes government COVID-19 restrictions held a meeting of several dozen people Wednesday morning at Sykes Diner in Kalispell, one of five Flathead County businesses being sued by Gov. Steve Bulloc…
Judge OKs name change for Lost Coon Lake
A Flathead County District Court judge Tuesday ruled to grant a petition to change the name of a lake southwest of Whitefish that has carried a racial slur for…
Fifth Flathead County business sued over COVID noncompliance
A fifth Flathead County business has been sued by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for allegedly violating COVID-19 mandates that require business employees and patrons to wear facial cove…
Free meals for students extended through June
The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended waivers for schools to serve free meals to all students through the end of the school year.
Wide variety of Halloween events planned for kids
This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, neither the Kalispell Center Mall nor downtown Whitefish are planning trick or treat events or costume contests.
Mobile mammography unit in Bigfork on Friday
The Winkley Mobile Mammography unit will be at the Old Town Shopping Center in Bigfork on Friday, Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. providing mobile 3D digital mammograms.
Man arrested in Dixon cold case murder
A man accused of murdering a Dixon area resident two years ago has been arrested and charged with deliberate homicide.
Whitefish tightens COVID restrictions for Halloween weekend
The Whitefish City Council has approved temporary COVID-19 restrictions for the Halloween weekend as infections continue to rise in Flathead County and officia…
Service providers critical of Kalispell's homelessness study
The findings of a recent report from Kalispell’s Task Force on Homelessness was the focus of a lengthy virtual Kalispell City Council work session Monday night.
Poll: Montanans unsure about taking potential COVID-19 vaccine
Regardless of party affiliation, Montanans increasingly report uncertainty that they will take a potential COVID-19 vaccine, according to responses to a recent Montana State University pre-election poll.
Kalispell pavement preservation project wraps up
The Montana Department of Transportation and contractor ACME Concrete on Monday completed a concrete preservation project in downtown Kalispell that began in mid-July.
Great Fish Challenge reels in $3.2M for nonprofits
The 2020 Great Fish Community Challenge came to a close on Monday with a celebratory virtual awards ceremony.
Kalispell schools to recommend early release on Wednesdays
As workloads and stress levels increase for teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kalispell Public Schools will recommend dismissing students two hours early on Wednesdays at a school board meeting tonight.