DIL Editorial
Thoughtful perspectives from the Daily Inter Lake editorial board—local viewpoints on issues shaping Northwest Montana.
Reckless cruisers jeopardize Main Street pastime
Kalispell’s downtown cruisers are dealing with a few rotten apples that threaten to spoil the bunch.
Commissioner Gipe was all about service
We were saddened to learn of the recent death at age 86 of Howard Gipe, the longest-serving county commissioner in the history of Flathead County.
Sticker shock may be bar to jail project
We’re guessing there were a lot of jaws dropping last week as Flathead folks learned the cost of building a new jail and parking garage next to the Flathead County Justice Center is an estimated $74 million if cons…
Herberger's: Farewell to a good neighbor
The news last week that the popular Herberger’s department store in Kalispell Center Mall will be liquidated as its corporate owner goes into bankruptcy court was a gut punch to the Kalispell business community. Ju…
Kalispell schools have earned support for levy
Kalispell voters are being asked to vote on a $1 million levy to support elementary schools in the district.
Whitefish takes steps to add housing
The need for affordable housing in Whitefish is nothing new. Through the years the workforce-housing situation in the resort community has gone from bad to worse to critical — that’s old news.
State is economic 'bad actor' in effort to crush Hecla
We understand that there have been “bad actors” in the history of mining in Montana, and that as a result, the state’s people are naturally wary of being exploited again.
Thanks for reconsidering park-fee hike
Last October, we urged the National Park Service and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to re-think their proposal to raise much-needed money for park infrastructure by raising fees that would discourage visits to Glaci…
A tip of the hat to first responders
This week the Daily Inter Lake profiled four local first-responders honored for their work serving and protecting the community.
Can an unpopular decision still be right one?
The recent ruling by District Court Judge Robert Allison that the Flathead County commissioners did not pay sufficient heed to public comment in deciding to allow a proposed water-bottling plant to go forward in Cr…
Tourism boosts state's fortunes
The lure of Montana’s open spaces and wild places continues to play a major role in the state’s economy.
Settlement funds just raise questions
It wasn’t too long ago that we learned there was a little-publicized slush fund for congressmen to pay off (mostly) women who brought charges of sexual harassment or abuse.
Local police can be lifesavers, too
We count on our law-enforcement officers for so much more than catching bad guys and upholding the law. That was evident recently when the Kalispell Police Department presented awards to two police officers who too…
Wild Rivers, fortunate Flathead
The three forks of the Flathead River are defining characteristics of Northwest Montana — it’s hard to imagine our corner of the Rockies without the existence of these free-flowing waterways. They play a vibrant ro…
Students making a difference
On Wednesday, students from around Flathead County will join forces with others from around the state and nation to honor the victims of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florid…
Sperry Chalet's future a question mark
It’s difficult to imagine Sperry Chalet being rebuilt as anything other that the beautiful stone lodge it was for well over a century. It’s even harder to imagine it being rebuilt at a different, less avalanche-pro…