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…
Headlines: ‘Cocaine fairy’ reaches plea deal, avalanche risk, films from Flathead reservation up for award, early candidate filings
‘Cocaine fairy’ reaches plea deal, avalanche risk increases for region, films from Flathead reservation up for award, early candidate filings and more Northwes…
Rep. Ryan Zinke to retire at end of current term
Montana U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced Monday that he will retire at the end of his current term in Congress and will not seek re-election.
Authorities investigate alleged homicide in Hungry Horse
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an alleged homicide that occurred at a residence/shop near the 100 block of Main Street in Hungry Horse o…
Kalispell City Council to hire contractor to replace wells contaminated by forever chemicals
Kalispell City Council is expected to hire a contractor on Monday to drill six new drinking water wells to replace sites contaminated by what are commonly know…
Whitefish looks to adopt new land use plan
Whitefish City Council on Monday is poised to adopt a new community plan designed to guide land-use decisions for the next 20 years.
Whitefish Lake Institute coordinator works to connect citizens with science
He paused on the banks of Viking Creek to watch the gush of water. The ice that encased the stream during winter had already broken up, hinting at the coming d…
Carving lessons: A decade in, Montana Alpine Race School continues to inspire skiers on Blacktail Mountain
Even though practice didn’t begin until later in the day and on a trail open to the public, the run still looked freshly groomed. This is a common sight on the…
Native American dancers perform for Plains students
The Ronan Native Dancers traveled to Plains this past week to showcase traditional Native American dance styles in their first-ever performance for the communi…
Kalispell man arrested for attacking wife earns deferred sentence
A Kalispell man who allegedly admitted to assaulting his wife in 2025 received a deferred sentence in Flathead County District Court late last year.
Flathead County supports Kalispell's third attempt at federal grant to finish south half of U.S. 93 Bypass
Commissioner Pamela Holmquist, who moved to approve the resolution, noted the project has been underway during the entirety of her career as county commissione…
Conservationists eye $37 million in state funding for habitat improvement projects
Conservationists are debating how to spend an estimated $37 million influx of funding for habitat improvement projects ahead of the 2027 state Legislature.
Man known as ‘cocaine fairy’ reaches deal in Flathead County burglary cases
A man once dubbed the “cocaine fairy” by Flathead County authorities has reached a plea deal for charges stemming from a string of robberies in the Flathead Va…
Polson man who shot at officers sentenced to 20 years in prison
A Polson man who shot towards law enforcement officers during an armed standoff in 2024 was sentenced in District Court in Polson Feb. 19 to 20 years in the Mo…
Budding business leaders and entrepreneurs advance to international competition
Dozens of students from Flathead, Glacier and Whitefish high schools tested their business acumen at state and earned a spot at the DECA International Career D…
Man agrees to leave Montana forever as part of deferred prosecution agreement
A man accused of threatening the police officer who arrested him for allegedly urinating behind a Whitefish bus stop last year later received a suspended jail sentence and agreed to leave Montana forever.