How to spend a $2.5 billion surplus? Lawmakers have no shortage of ideas.

As lawmakers negotiate Montana’s next state budget this winter, the Republican-controlled Capitol has a once-in-a-generation windfall to spend — the state’s $2.5 billion surplus.

Big Sky pulls away on Flathead by 3s

The Flathead Braves had some things working Thursday, hanging in with Missoula Big Sky thanks to some solid rebounding and polished offense.

Sen. Cuffe seeks to combine conservation commissions

A bill that would create a Western Montana Conservation Commission — repealing the Flathead Basin Commission and the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission — had its first hearing in the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Monday.

WTC presents Mediterranean vibes of musical quartet

The Whitefish Theatre Company presents Seffarine, a brilliant quartet that fuses Moroccan, Arab-Andalusi and Spanish flamenco music with modern sounds.

Arts and entertainment news

Snow Ball benefit event; Father-Daughter Winter Ball; Skijoring event this weekend

Museum presents talk on the history of movie theaters in Kalispell

As movies went mainstream in the 1920s, Kalispell entrepreneurs made ready to screen them for avid Flathead audiences.

Nonprofits carrying the torch to serve our neediest

As I read the Jan. 21 letter on homelessness from our county commissioners, I landed on a sweet memory from June of 2014.

Montana PBS to air historical smokejumper film ‘Higgins Ridge’

Smokejumpers who survived a “gobbler” of a wildfire in 1961 will recount their harrowing experience in an upcoming film on Montana PBS. “Higgins Ridge,” named for location of the fire in Idaho’s Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, will air Monday, Jan. 30, at 8 p.m.

Artist accused of wiring partner’s shower given suspended sentence

Local artist and convicted felon Nicholas H. Oberling painted himself as the victim at his Wednesday sentencing in Flathead County District Court, even as his former partner accused him of continuing to harass her from behind bars.

Noah Cummings rises up to lead Flathead hoops

One of the issues for this year’s Flathead Braves was where, in the wake of the graduated Joston Cripe’s 20 points a game, they were going to find points this basketball season.

Gov. Gianforte wants tax rebates, cuts with budget surplus

HELENA — Gov. Greg Gianforte reiterated his administration's priorities to improve Montana's economy in his State of the State address delivered Wednesday to the Legislature, whose job over the next few months will include determining how to allocate an unprecedented $2.6 billion budget surplus.

Disagreement over noise preceded fatal shooting, officials say

The victim of Tuesday’s shooting in Whitefish died from a bullet to the head after a disagreement over noise escalated, according to newly-filed court documents.

Bill allowing for death certificates for miscarriages passes committee after tweaks

Legislation allowing families to request a death certificate for miscarriages met with approval in the House Judiciary Committee on Monday after a week of discussion and edits.

New abortion rules will be challenged in court, opponents warn

As the State of Montana considers changing rules to make getting an abortion using Medicaid more difficult and restrictive, a group of health care providers sent a letter via their attorneys warning the state and lawmakers that adopting the proposed rules will lead to a lawsuit.

Legals for January, 25 2023

Vals too much for C-Falls

COLUMBIA FALLS — Braeden Gunlock scored 14 points to lead a balanced attack, and the Bigfork Valkyries downed Columbia Falls 58-26 Tuesday to stay unbeaten.

Epperly, Vikings swamp Wildcats

Isak Epperly poured in 25 points and the Bigfork Vikings topped Columbia Falls 63-48 in an intraconference basketball game Tuesday.

Glacier stays cold in loss to Big Sky

Missoula Big Sky’s girls basketball team looked pretty tough Tuesday, holding down Glacier for a 38-21 Western AA victory at the Wolf Den. Just wait a couple years.

Cuaresma, Big Sky inch past Glacier boys Tuesday

Missoula Big Sky’s Josiah Cuaresma scored 14 points, nine down the stretch as the Eagles rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Glacier 50-49 in Western AA boys basketball.

Essex residents wary of CenturyLink's solution for poor phone service

CenturyLink customers in Essex may soon see a stop-gap solution to outages and poor phone service there, but the plan proposed by the telecommunications giant raises as many questions as it answers.