State agrees not to enforce ‘double registration’ law in order to settle federal voting rights suit

The Montana Secretary of State’s Office and the Commissioner of Political Practices have come to an agreement with two groups which successfully challenged a 2023 law that would have made it crime for residents to be registered to vote in two places simultaneously, even if it didn’t result in double voting.

Trump orders a plan to dismantle the Education Department while keeping some core functions

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Education Department, advancing a campaign promise to take apart an agency that's been a longtime target of conservatives.

Kalispell City Council votes to settle with Warming Center

Kalispell City Council on Monday voted to settle with the Flathead Warming Center, resolving the yearlong fight over the shelter’s future that culminated in a federal lawsuit.

Letters to the editor March 24

Letters to the editor March 24

Lake County commissioner slams Polson Police chief's book

What’s typically a cordial monthly meeting between city and county government officials collapsed last Tuesday afternoon, after Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker opened the session which he introduced as “a hearing” – by lambasting a book recently published by Polson Police Chief George Simpson.

Unique wellness treatments focus for Lakeside spa

Annie Dillard constantly looks for calming treatment options to add to the spa that are unique and contribute to a serene experience.

Law roundup: ‘No parking’ means ‘no parking’

Officers with the Kalispell Police Department ticketed a vehicle for parking in front of a “no parking” sign.

West Valley School robotics team dives into preparations for world championship

The West Valley School Gummy Sharks robotics team dives into preparations to compete on the international stage at the FIRST World Championship. Fundraising efforts are underway.

With March Madness underway, it's game time for newly opened women's-sports bars across the US

When you walk into Title 9 Sports Grill in Phoenix's Melrose District, its mission to be a haven for watching women's sports permeates every nook and cranny. From the over dozen TVs mounted on pink and orange walls to the "Play Like a Girl!" neon sign against a giant image of retired WNBA star Diana Taurasi.

Governor’s ‘slush fund’ may get legislative oversight

A pot of money estimated to grow to more than $100 million by the end of 2026 — and referred to as the governor’s “slush fund” — may end up having direct oversight by the Montana Legislature.

Norm Clarke, a Las Vegas celebrity columnist and former AP sports writer, dies at 82

Norm Clarke, a colorful journalist who covered the back-to-back World Series champion Cincinnati Reds of the 1970s as an Associated Press sports writer and then became a popular entertainment columnist in Las Vegas, has died after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Navy veteran selected as Columbia Falls' next city manager

Columbia Falls has a new city manager. City Council recently selected retired Capt. Eric Hanks, a distinguished Navy veteran, to lead the city.

Appeals court sides with corner-crossing hunters in Wyoming dispute

A federal three-judge panel has sided with a group of hunters who faced civil trespassing charges stemming from elk-hunting excursions into “checkerboard” land in Carbon County, Wyoming.

Poetry Out Loud champ from Whitefish heads to national competition

Sixteen high school students from schools across Montana met at Grandstreet Theatre in Helena, to compete in the 2025 Montana Poetry Out Loud State Finals earlier this month.

Kalispell City Council to discuss creating city code enforcement program

Kalispell City Council on Monday will consider hiring code enforcement personnel to oversee several areas of municipal code.

Legals for March, 24 2025

Church to thrift store: Kalispell’s 130-year-old building seeks renovation to preserve historic legacy

The building, listed under the National Register of Historic Places, has housed people of faith, those looking for bargain finds and for a time students. After standing for 130 years, it is now in dire need of a touch-up.

Whitefish looks to move forward on viaduct project

Improvements to the viaduct in Whitefish over the BNSF Railway tracks have long been identified as a way to improve the link between the north side of Whitefish and downtown.

Kalispell City Council to settle deal with Flathead Warming Center

Kalispell City Council is expected to vote on an agreement with the Flathead Warming Center on Monday, ending a yearlong fight to shutter the homeless shelter that culminated in a lawsuit in federal court.

Polson commission revisits resort tax

Susan Nicosia, who retired last June after serving as Columbia Falls city manager for 13 years, told the Polson City Commission earlier this month that a 3% resort tax has been a boon to her community.