Judge orders BNSF to pay Washington tribe nearly $400 million for trespassing with oil trains

SEATTLE (AP) — BNSF Railway must pay nearly $400 million to a Native American tribe in Washington state, a federal judge ordered Monday after finding that the company intentionally trespassed when it repeatedly ran 100-car trains carrying crude oil across the tribe's reservation.

Crews working in sweltering conditions and steep terrain battle major Los Angeles-area wildfire

GORMAN, Calif. (AP) — Strong winds pushed flames through dry brush in mountains along Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles, and officials warned residents in the wildfire's path to be prepared to leave if it explodes in size again.

Legals for June, 17 2024

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Northwest Montana Association of Realtors honors professionals

The Northwest Montana Association of Realtors handed out a list of honors at its annual awards banquet on Wednesday at Flathead Valley Community College. Awards included Realtor of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Jean Carter Spirit and the NMAR Good Neighbor Award.

It’s a perfect storm for fire insurance

Westerners have begun looking at their homes differently these days. Are those trees too close? Should I move all that firewood stacked up next to the deck?

Kyle Lingscheit, 61

“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” — Warren Buffett That someone was Kyle Lingscheit.

Legals for June, 16 2024

Lakers AA close out Church Tournament strong with big win

LEWISTON, Idaho – A four RBI day from Michael Owens and Hunter Fann catapulted the Kalispell AA Lakers to a massive 18-6 win against the RCA 18U Green team out of Kennewick, Washington Sunday.

Marlis Dorothy Neisinger, 81

Marlis Dorothy Neisinger, 81, of Kalispell peacefully passed away of natural causes Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Hidden Meadow Memory Care.

Political practices commissioner rules that AG candidate was ineligible

The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices has ruled that Republican Attorney General candidate and Daniels County Attorney Logan Olson was not qualified to run for Montana Attorney General in the 2024 primary election, but stopped short of saying he knowingly violated the law.

Judge blocks Biden's Title IX rule in four states, dealing a blow to protections for LGBTQ+ students

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration's new Title IX rule expanding protections for LGBTQ+ students has been temporarily blocked in four states after a federal judge in Louisiana found that it overstepped the Education Department's authority.

Kalispell Public Schools, teachers union pause contract negotiations

Teachers will be paid according to a contract that was set to expire this week after the Kalispell Education Association and Kalispell Public Schools failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement after roughly five months of negotiations.

Free summer meals available for children and teens

Free meals are available to youths 18 and under in Flathead County over the summer months when school is not in session.

Legals for June, 14 2024

‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ on tap for Movie Night at the Museum

Movie Night at the Museum will feature “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the film that turned Marlon Brando into a movie star, on June 25.

Riverbend Concert Series set up for summer

The Riverbend Concert Series will kick off Sunday, June 23 at Everit L. Sliter Memorial Park in Bigfork. The series has run for over 40 years, with this year’s lineup including tributes to the concerts’ past supporters. A total of 10 local artists will play each Sunday at 7 p.m. through August 25.

Plodding geezer vs old sleazer

Having lost an election, I know it hurts to lose. I know, too, that there is a good life beyond losing because I’ve been living it for the past 20 years.

Legals for June, 13 2024

Former bookkeeper for Kalispell firearms manufacturer stole $159,000

A former bookkeeper for a Kalispell firearms manufacturer admitted stealing $159,000 from her then-employer in a check scheme, spending the money in part on hotel stays in Las Vegas and Quinn’s Hot Springs.