Senate Republicans block bipartisan border package, scuttling deal they had demanded from Democrats

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan border package Wednesday, scuttling months of negotiations with Democrats on legislation intended to cut back record numbers of illegal border crossings.

Man accused of aiming gun at family given pretrial diversion

A Flathead County District Court judge has dismissed a felony case against a man accused of aiming a gun at a family in a vehicle last year after he received a pretrial diversion agreement.

How Montana’s federal races are stacking up money-wise to start 2024

Year-end political campaign finance filings from politicians vying for the three federal offices up for election this year in Montana show at least $30 million flowing in the U.S. Senate race alone, which is expected to be one of the most closely watched races in the country.

Kalispell City Council to put local government review before voters

During a short meeting Monday, Kalispell City Council unanimously approved a slate of resolutions, including one putting a possible review of local government before voters this spring.

Humane Society of Northwest Montana seeks donations following burst pipes

The Humane Society is holding a Boiler Blues Fundraiser from Thursday, Feb. 8 through Thursday, Feb. 22 to mitigate the repair costs.

Legals for February, 7 2024

Trump is not immune from prosecution in his 2020 election interference case, US appeals court says

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals panel ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump can face trial on charges that he plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 election, rejecting the former president's claims that he is immune from prosecution and breathing life back into a landmark prosecution that had been effectively frozen while the court considered the arguments.

Bigfork residents, businesses raise concerns about closure of unsafe bridge

Bigfork is no closer to a solution for the closing of the downtown Bridge Street Bridge despite a meeting between Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, Montana Department of Transportation officials, Flathead County representatives, and Bigfork residents and business owners Friday.

Legals for February, 6 2024

King Charles III has cancer and is receiving treatment, Buckingham Palace says

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and has begun treatment, Buckingham Palace said Monday. Less than 18 months into his reign he will suspend public duties but will continue with state business, and won't be handing over his constitutional roles as head of state.

Job market is humming, but layoffs are still happening in a shifting economic environment

The U.S. economy is humming and there are hundreds of thousands of jobs being added every month. In a stunning burst of hiring to start the year, the nation added 353,000 jobs in January, shrugging off the highest interest rates in two decades that have been put in place by the U.S. Federal Reserve in part to cool off hiring and spending.

Kalispell City Council to take public input on infrastructure projects

Kalispell City Council will open Monday a public hearing spanning multiple meetings to give residents a say on what infrastructure projects to prioritize if the municipality applies for newly available state funding.

Whitefish considers affordable apartment project

Whitefish City Council on Monday will consider approving a plan that looks to create 18 affordable apartments as part of the second phase of a complex on Edgewood Place.

Births

Births

Barbara Lewis, 78

Barbara Ann Lewis was born Sept. 27, 1945, to Robert and Evelyn Blacklaw in Walla Walla, Washington. She passed away on Jan. 8 at home in Polson.

Law roundup: Brake lines cut after troublemaker moves out

The brake line was reportedly cut on a woman’s vehicle.

Legals for February, 5 2024

McDonald's sales growth slows with mideast war hurting results

McDonald's Corp.'s sales missed investor expectations in the fourth quarter as growth decelerated, hurt in part by the war in the Middle East.

Storage unit users are getting younger as memories — and junk —accumulate

Travis Willoughby is wrestling with what to do with the belongings he and his brother, Davis, have accumulated that fill a 10-by-10 storage unit along Dallas' Greenville Avenue.

Foundation board member nurtures the gift of giving

Alanna Weibert, a certified public accountant and one of three new board members of the statewide philanthropic organization, described it as perfect timing.