Two fires erupt in Western Montana

HAMILTON — Some homes were lost to a swiftly moving wildfire Sunday in the Bitterroot National Forest near Hamilton, forest officials said.

Reagan Nielsen, 8 months

On Oct. 4, 2018 our sweet baby Reagan lost her fight after 8 precious months of life.

Football Playoffs Braves get another shot at Bozeman in AA semis

It’s back to Bozeman for the Flathead football team.

Man seen with obscene sign

Kalispell Police spoke with a man holding an obscene sign on Hutton Ranch Road. The man was told to move along.

Helena schools sweep Glacier, Flathead

HELENA — Glacier and Flathead couldn’t get over the top, each losing a pair of four-set matches while getting swept by the Helena schools on Thursday in Class AA volleyball action.

Whitefish Energy sues over payments for Puerto Rico work

BILLINGS — A Whitefish-based company that landed and lost a $300 million contract to restore Puerto Rico’s hurricane-shattered electric grid has sued a subcontractor for allegedly interfering with tens of millions of dollars in payments.

Whitefish 6-2 in pool play; Libby sweeps 3 matches

FRENCHTOWN — Whitefish posted a 6-2 mark in pool play on Friday at the season-opening Northwestern A versus Southwestern A Tipoff Tournament.

Cats, Cowboys set for playoff clash

Columbia Falls is ready for a challenge.

AA Football Glacier hoping for some playoff help

The Glacier football team has its hands full this week. And not just with the game on the field.

William A. Jensen, 75

Our world lost one of the good guys … William A. Jensen, 75, mercifully passed away at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula from a horrible lung disease on July 4, 2017, after keeping it at bay for many years. He didn’t let it slow him down until the last few months. A friend said recently that he lived large and globally while still appreciating the simple pleasures of family, friends, mud, and nature. In the early hours of July 6, much of Montana felt a 5.8 earthquake. We’re sure it was Bill saying farewell, and wishing Carole a happy birthday.

Softball play-ins pushed back to Friday

The Kalispell Class AA softball teams get a chance to extend their season today as the Western AA playoffs get underway.

Kalispell Regional names new CEO

Roughly six months after Northwest Montana’s largest medical system lost its chief executive officer, Kalispell Regional Healthcare has named its newest leader.

Hornets top Heat 109-98, as NBA shutdown looms

MIAMI (AP) — Charlotte coach James Borrego thought it would be a rallying cry of sorts for the Hornets to not let the Miami Heat clinch a playoff spot on their watch.

Whitefish boys advance to Western A semis

RONAN – Justin Conklin scored 20 points, including a trio of 3-pointers in the third quarter, and Whitefish knocked off Hamilton 49-42 at the Western B boys divisional Thursday.

Undefeated Capital beats Flathead

The Flathead Bravettes lost their third straight game in three sets to undefeated Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Saturday in Western AA volleyball.

Democrat Smith advances in fight for California House seat

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democratic legislator Christy Smith advanced Wednesday in her bid to fill a Southern California U.S. House seat left vacant after the resignation of former Rep. Katie Hill.

Researchers awarded NASA grant to track aquatic invaders

FLATHEAD LAKE – Stopping invasive species from destroying ecosystems and regional economies is among the world’s greatest challenges. Now, thanks to a grant from NASA, an investigative team of researchers at the University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station will launch a new project enabling officials to predict the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) through remote sensing, genetic monitoring and climate forecasting.

Letters to the editor Sept. 23

Imagine driving to your local grocery store and suddenly feeling hopelessly lost. You don’t know where you are or where to go. Finding the grocery store is no longer a possibility. The way home is a mystery.

OPINION: A new social engineering mission won't save USPS

The U.S. Postal Service has lost money every year since 2007, and its financial finances aren’t likely to improve any time soon. Thanks to declining mail volume due to greater reliance on email and exorbitant labor costs, the postal service loses billions per year despite a range of benefits that include taxpayer subsidies, a government-enforced monopoly on certain types of mail, and exemptions from state and local taxes.

Bad actor

Was Montana right to go after Hecla’s CEO?

When critics of the Mining Bad Actors Law attack Montana’s enforcement of a state law that protects taxpayers from shouldering the clean-up bill for mining companies, it’s clearly time to impose an old-fashioned smell test. In weaving together their argument, they got many of their facts wrong.