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.
Montana snowpack rapidly melted in May
Throughout May, warm temperatures across Montana led to a rapid melt off of the state’s snowpack, which sits “larg…
Kalispell school board cancels elementary levy request
Kalispell Public Schools’ Board of Trustees has canceled putting a $300,000 elementary general fund levy request district on May ballots out of concern taxpayers may be experiencing financial hardships due to the C…
Glacier Park starts spring plowing next week
Glacier National Park plow crews will hit the roads starting next week, park officials confirmed via email.
Hospital guidelines on who gets testing priority
New details on the coronavirus and its local impacts seem to be emerging on an almost daily basis. The information comes in the form of state officials orderin…
Glacier Park closes to visitors
Glacier National Park will be closed to visitors until further notice beginning Friday evening in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lincoln County man is first COVID-19 fatality in Montana
G. Scott Tomlin said he was not able to speak to his 77-year-old father, Jim Tomlin, in his final days, a reality that made the loss of his father to COVID-19 especially painful.
Mack Days fishing tourney postponed
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council has decided to postpone the Spring Mack Days fishing tournament following Gov. Steve Bullock’s stay-at-home order issued Thursday.
Free firewood cutting begins April 1
Personal firewood cutting will be free to the general public from April 1 through June 1 in Flathead National Forest.
Ship-bound couples back home, self-quarantined
After spending an extra week aboard the cruise ship MS Marina, two couples with Whitefish connections stepped foot on dry ground Monday after their ship had be…
Kalispell reports sewer blockages from non-flushable objects
Toilet paper has become a hot commodity due to the COVID-19 outbreak—so hot, in fact, that some have had to turn to alternatives such as wipes or paper towels to meet their needs. But Kalispell Public Works Directo…
Governor gives counties all-mail option for primary election
Gov. Steve Bullock announced on Wednesday a directive that will give counties the choice to conduct all-mail ballot elections for Montana’s primary election on June 2, in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19…
Mass food shipments coming to Flathead Food Bank
Large amounts of produce and other food is on its way to the Flathead Food Bank, where it will be stored in a space in the Gateway Community Center and distributed as needed to other local food banks, senior-living…
School action plans detail switch to off-site learning
The Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees has approved a plan of action school districts throughout the state are submitting to the Governor’s Office this week, summarizing how public schools provided instruct…
Hammer Nutrition helps local restaurants
In an effort to help out local restaurants pinched by the mandated dining-room closures due to the coronavirus, Hammer Nutrition of rural Whitefish is going th…
First COVID-19 death reported in Montana
Montana recorded its first coronavirus-related death on Thursday, according to Gov. Steve Bullock’s Office.
COVID-19 closures
• PacifiCorp’s recreation sites in Bigfork have temporary restrictions in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation. The Swan River Nature Trail is open, but restroom facilities are closed. The Pacific Park is cl…