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…
Lincoln County begins process of reconstructing flood-damaged bridges
Lincoln County officials have started the permit process to reconstruct Lower Granite Creek Bridge and Lake Creek Bridge, two of nine bridges that washed out d…
Man earns felony charge for allegedly shooting at passing vehicle with slingshot
A 34-year-old is facing a felony charge in Flathead County District Court after allegedly shooting out a window of a vehicle traveling on U.S. 2 near Hungry Ho…
Dustin Leftridge to represent Kalispell's Ward 3
Kalispell City Council on Monday night selected father and lawyer Dustin Leftridge to represent Ward 3.
Kalispell Public Schools seeks to fill board vacancy created by Corrigan's departure
The Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees is looking to fill a vacancy representing the elementary district.
Lawsuit challenges Montana's second-home tax
Three prominent Republicans filed a lawsuit Wednesday asking a judge to invalidate one of the two bipartisan bills that reduced 2025 property taxes for many Mo…
Landmark Whitefish bars listed for sale
The Great Northern Bar and the Remington Bar are for sale.
Glacier High takes second, Flathead, third, at last speech and debate tourney before state
Glacier and Flathead high school speech and debate teams placed second and third in Butte over the weekend as both teams head into the state championship in Kalispell Jan. 30 and 31.
Columbia Falls considers temporary moratorium on nonadjacent housing
The City of Columbia Falls is considering a temporary moratorium on some housing projects outside the city limits until it gets a better idea of its sewage tre…
Whitefish, Columbia Falls secure top spots in Bigfork speech and debate tourney
The Whitefish High School speech and debate team brought home the hardware at a Bigfork tournament Jan 16 and 18 in the lead up to divisionals this weekend.
Boil water order lifted for Libby customers
Officials are still urging people with severely compromised immune systems, infants and some elderly that may be at increased risk to seek advice about drinkin…
Hunter details attainable housing initiatives at Kalispell Chamber event
Kalispell Mayor Ryan Hunter pitched a slew of housing initiatives and land use reforms at a sold-out luncheon hosted by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce on Tu…
Firefighter dies in parking lot accident near Bigfork
South Kalispell firefighter Ben Brown, 25, died Jan. 18 in an accident involving his own vehicle at Echo Lake Cafe near Bigfork, according to the Flathead Coun…
Montana lawmakers look to regulate kratom ahead of 2027 session
State lawmakers are seeking ways to regulate kratom ahead of the 2027 legislative session, arguing that synthetic concoctions of the drug are too dangerous to …
Motorist in fatal alcohol-fueled wreck to take plea deal
Kala Renee Knaus of Kalispell pleaded not guilty to a single felony count of vehicular homicide while under the influence last year. But documents filed by def…
Kalispell City Council to appoint Ward 3 councilor
Kalispell City Council will select Tuesday one of the six applicants vying for the open Ward 3 seat.