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.
PHOTOS: Memorial Day ceremony in Whitefish honors fallen troops
Whitefish VFW Post 276 hosts a Memorial Day ceremony at the Whitefish Cemetery on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Fire destroys West Valley home
A West Valley home on Birds Eye Trail was deemed a total loss after several crews put out a fire Saturday night.
Asphalt plant, Polebridge retreat centers top agenda
Topping the Flathead County Board of Adjustment’s heavy agenda Tuesday is a request for a modification to an existing conditional-use permit that would allow for the operation of a concrete and asphalt batch plant …
Retired physics teacher harnesses old-time energy source
Faced with hours of newfound free time during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lakeside retired physics teacher Don Bumgarner decided to take a step back in time. Wantin…
Grizzly Council report nearly complete
After nearly 10 months and more than a dozen public meetings, Montana’s Grizzly Bear Advisory Council is on the cusp of solidifying recommendations about how to handle the state’s swelling grizzly bear population.
Firefighters on Magpie blaze challenged by scorching heat
Fire officials on Saturday said efforts to contain a wildfire on the Flathead Reservation near Dixon have been challenging due to near-record heat and dry conditions.
Minnesota man pleads guilty to 2019 DUI homicide
A Minnesota man accused of driving drunk and killing two Flathead Valley women last summer will plead guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide.
FREEFLOW club leader earns Excellence in Education Award
As a field scientist, Eric Sawtelle appreciates the lessons that come from getting your hands dirty.
Man pleads not guilty to vehicular assault
A Flathead Valley man pleaded not guilty to negligent vehicular assault and criminal child endangerment Thursday in Flathead County District Court.
Assisted-living center planned at defunct Libby school
The Lincoln County commissioners provided a letter of support for the Asa Wood Elementary School redevelopment proposal during their July 22 meeting.
Man dies in crash near Olney
A 30-year-old Eureka man died early Friday morning in a one-vehicle crash near Olney.
Magpie Rock Fire grows, Horseshoe 60% contained
It was a mixed bag of news for two wildfires burning on tribal land in Northwest Montana.
Health-care providers want fair significantly downsized
At a Flathead County Fair Board meeting Thursday evening, a local pediatrician presented a letter signed by 140 Flathead Valley health-care professionals who do not believe the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo shou…
Whitefish council denies fee extension for Alta Views
The Whitefish City Council last week rejected a request for a one-year extension for the Alta Views subdivision to pay a required fee in lieu of affordable hou…
School district in throes of accommodating on-site learning
A majority of respondents to a survey emailed to Kalispell Public Schools families regarding whether or not they want to return to school were favorable to on-…
Water rights bill moves to U.S. Senate
Legislation aimed at settling a long-running water-rights dispute in Western Montana cleared another hurdle on Wednesday as it moved out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The Montana Water Rights Protectio…