Biden EV mandates not practical for Montana

Life in Montana takes energy. Companies and individuals across the state have worked tirelessly over the years to ensure Montanans have the power to go about their lives in the way they want. It is part of what makes Montana the Last Best Place.

The Montana Free Press 2024 election guide for statewide and federal offices

Answers here were solicited from candidates via a written questionnaire conducted by Montana Free Press in April 2024. Responses were limited to 1,000 characters and edited lightly for punctuation and spelling. Candidates were asked to focus on the positives their service would bring the state instead of making rhetorical attacks on their opponents. Responses have not been exhaustively fact-checked. The 2024 primary election, where voters will pick each political party's nominee to advance to the General Election, will be held Tuesday, June 4. The 2024 general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Letters to the editor May 19

Letters to the editor May 19

Randall Ray 'Randy' Winter 64

Longtime Flathead Valley resident Randall Ray “Randy” Winter went to heaven on May 3, 2024, after a heart attack near his home in Tooele, Utah.

Krack flies at Western A Divisional

Whitefish second in boys, girls team standings

Krause lets it fly at Divisionals

Rinehart, Bliven lead Flathead to sweep

Rinehart, Bliven lead Flathead to sweep

Law roundup: Children find replica revolver in playground

A school administrator in Kalispell reportedly called the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office after children reportedly found a revolver lying on the ground in the playground. Deputies determined ...

Flathead gymnastics athletes claim pair of regional titles

Soli Bullemer won an all-around regional championship and Rogan Dean won the floor event at regionals for Flathead Gymnastics, while Carson Wenz qualified for the Western Nationals gymnastics championship in Coralville, Iowa.

Legals for May, 19 2024

65 years of show tunes and hard work at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse

The Playhouse performs four musicals and a variety show about once a week during its annual run in the summertime. A college-aged cast is hired — roughly 3,000 apply every season for the 20 spots available. The program has churned out performers and crew members who go on to have successful careers in the arts like that of Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons.

Suzanne M. (Morgan) Henry

Suzanne M. (Morgan) Henry, of Kalispell, passed away on Jan. 10, 2024, in Gilbert, Arizona, following a stroke.

Kalispell FFA shines at state, multiple teams advance to nationals

Kalispell FFA was recognized as the overall state champion team for its top placements in five career development events at the Montana FFA Convention in Billings.

Barbara Ree Saunders, 95

Barbara Ree Saunders, 95, lost her year and half battle with cancer on May 10, 2024.

Daniel 'Dan' Straszewski, 96

Daniel "Dan" Straszewski, Oct. 22, 1927-May 11, 2024.

Bigfork hotel permit tabled by Board of Adjustment

The Flathead County Board of Adjustment unanimously voted to table Bigfork Hotel Group’s request for a conditional use permit to allow for a 64-room hotel in the Fort development north of Bigfork during its May 7 meeting.

Nyman, Franklin lead Bravettes over Knights, 11-0

Coin flip helps Flathead make state tourney

Olivia Nyman picked up three hits and drove in four runs as Flathead defeated Missoula Hellgate in high school softball Friday.

Speer, Downs take Northern AA Divisional crown

Glacier’s top doubles pairing of Haven Speer and Sarah Downs claimed the Northern AA Divisional tennis title Friday at FVCC defeating Ryann Walker and Olivia Buckingham of CMR.

Track: Glacier boys, Flathead girls lead Western AA

Glacier’s Aiden Krause hit 60 feet in the shot put for the first time and Flathead’s Trevin Olivier hit 14 feet in the pole vault for the fourth straight week Friday, for two of many highlights at the Western AA Divisional track and field meet.

Well played — Student musicians get top marks at 2024 State Music Festival

Music students participated in the Western State Solo and Ensemble Festival in Helena May 3 and 4, receiving top scores for their performances. Qualified music specialists judged each performance, providing comments to help students improve and rating each entry as Superior, Excellent, good, fair or poor. Following are area results provided by schools.

JoEllen Stimac Estenson, 84

JoEllen Stimac Estenson, 84, passed peacefully on May 2, 2024, following a very brief and hard-fought battle with a third bout of cancer, which accentuated her otherworldly levels of grit, determination, and positivity.