Larson, Hellgate Knights hand Bravettes a loss

MISSOULA — Missoula Hellgate’s Chloe Larson scored 20 points and the Knights held Flathead to one third-quarter point in a 42-36 Western AA girls basketball win Thursday.

Browning girls advance to Western A semifinals

Mecca Bullchild scored 30 points for Browning, and the Lady Indians pulled away in the fourth quarter Thursday to beat Stevensville 65-54 at the Western A Divisional girls basketball tournament.

Hot-shooting Wolfpack bombs Big Sky, 68-38

The Glacier boys basketball has been pretty good at home this season, even before Thursday’s Senior Night battle with Missoula Big Sky.

Wildcats fall, Southwest A completes Thursday sweep

Frenchtown’s Connor Michaud scored 23 points and the Broncs used a late third-quarter surge to push past Columbia Falls Thursday at the Western A boys basketball divisional.

Vikings in Western B semis

The Bigfork Vikings used a balanced scoring attack to top Arlee 71-58 in the late first round boys game at the Western B Divisional on Thursday.

Valkyries cruise to 69-13 win over Deer Lodge

The Gunlock sisters led Bigfork to an easy 69-13 win over Deer Lodge at the Western B Divisional on Thursday.

Family friendly theater come to stage with one-act plays

The show “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “Bedtime Stories (As Told By Our Dad)(Who Messed Them Up) open with a sneak preview night on Feb. 23.

Backcountry adventurers know they’re taking chances

Six people have died in avalanches in the United States since the snow started to fly this fall. Every year, an average of 27 people — skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoers — die this way.

Commissioners' letter on homelessness referenced in Helena debate

Rep. Jodee Etchart, R-Billings, referenced a letter released by the Flathead County Commission earlier this year that referenced homelessness as a “lifestyle choice for some” in explaining her opposition to providing grant funding towards supporting the unhoused.

Suspects in Kalispell bank robbery plead not guilty

Two men suspected of robbing a Wells Fargo bank in north Kalispell over the summer have pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court to felony charges stemming from the heist.

Suspected ‘money mule’ sentenced in federal court

A Kalispell woman who pleaded guilty in federal court in September to charges stemming from an alleged overseas money laundering scheme received a more than four year prison sentence Tuesday.

Educators tout internships and apprenticeships at Kalispell Chamber luncheon

Learning to fly, interning at a law office, using a surgical robotic arm, identifying fish at a hatchery, creating art to display at the hospital — these were just some of the examples Kalispell Public Schools officials touched on while highlighting the transformational learning taking place in the district during a Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday.

Columbia Falls legislator targets prohibition on pre-made Jell-O shots

Rep. Braxton Mitchell is taking on prohibition — of pre-made, alcohol infused gelatin desserts known to partiers everywhere as Jell-O shots.

Legals for February, 21 2023

Biden declares 'Kyiv stands' in surprise visit to Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Joe Biden swept unannounced into Ukraine on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a defiant display of Western solidarity with a country still fighting what he called "a brutal and unjust war" days before the first anniversary of Russia's invasion.

Illinois poised to mandate paid leave for nearly all workers

Expansive paid leave legislation requiring Illinois employers to give workers paid time off based on hours worked, to be used for any reason, is ready for action by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who said he looks forward to signing it. Requiring paid vacation is rare in the United States — just Maine and Nevada have similar laws in place — although common in other industrialized nations.

World shares mostly higher as inflation worries dog Wall St

Recent data have revived worries that inflation is not cooling as quickly as hoped. That has shaken hopes the Federal Reserve might take it easier on interest rate hikes and avoid tipping the economy into recession.

Supreme Court weighs liability shield for internet giants

A lawsuit against YouTube from the family of an American college student who was killed by Islamic State gunmen in Paris in 2015 is at the center of a closely watched Supreme Court case being argued Tuesday.

Lake County objects to water compact

Lake County commissioners unanimously voted Feb. 8 to object to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai’s water compact with the federal government and the state of Montana.

Honoring life and career, Kila man inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame

Tom Harmon was inducted Feb. 11 into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame as part of the 2023 inductees for District 10 which includes Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders counties.