Boys roundup: C-Falls and Whitefish victorious

COLUMBIA FALLS — Cody Schweikert’s 14 points led four Columbia Falls players in double figures, and the Wildcats downed Frenchtown 54-36 in boys basketball Tuesday.

Legals for December, 20 2023

ACLU of Montana challenges law defining the word 'sex' in state code as only male or female

The ACLU of Montana has filed a lawsuit challenging a law that defines the word "sex" throughout state code as either male or female, based on a person's biology at birth. The plaintiffs argue the law denies legal recognition and protections to people who are gender non-conforming.

Sandra Day O'Connor called a pioneer and 'iconic jurist' as she is memorialized by Biden, Roberts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the Arizona rancher's daughter who became a voice of moderate conservatism as the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, was memorialized by President Joe Biden on Tuesday as a pioneer in the legal world who inspired generations of women.

Biden administration moves to protect oldest trees as climate change brings more fires, pests

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration moved on Tuesday to conserve groves of old-growth trees on national forests across the U.S. as climate change amplifies the threats they face from wildfires, insects and disease.

Legals for December, 19 2023

Judge in Idaho murder case rules on whether to toss Kohberger's grand jury indictment

BOISE, Idaho — The district court judge in the University of Idaho murder case threw out all attempts by the defense to toss the grand jury's indictment of defendant Bryan Kohberger, shutting the door on delaying a future trial on those grounds.

Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples if they don't resemble marriage

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God's love and mercy shouldn't be subject to "an exhaustive moral analysis" to receive it.

Legals for December, 18 2023

Grizzlies topple Bison 31-29 in double OT

MISSOULA — For the first time to Frisco go the Montana Grizzlies, who needed two overtimes to get past North Dakota State 31-29 in a wild FCS semifinal game Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Slow start dooms Flathead against Bozeman

Junior Lyric Ersland knocked down two 3-pointers and scored 14 points for Flathead, but the Braves lost 71-49 at home to Bozeman in boys basketball.

Love of mountain goats drives Glacier Park photographer Sumio Harada

Born and raised in Japan, Sumio Harada studied Japanese serow as a college student, taking photos that highlighted the many different fur patterns on their faces.

Bigfork company begins selling products on global level

Though the Bigfork company has shipped to individuals internationally before, this will be the first time that they distribute wholesale.

Millions in opioid settlement funds sit untouched as overdose deaths rise

Nearly a year after Montana began receiving millions of dollars to invest in efforts to combat the opioid crisis, much of that money remains untouched. Meanwhile, the state’s opioid overdose and death counts continue to rise.

Top 5 local headlines from 2023

A look back at some of the top local stories in 2023 and what lies ahead in the new year:

Ski bum culture hits reality

Nearly two decades ago, I moved to the mountains to be a ski bum, chasing snow. I was a stereotype — an East Coast kid pulled west by the promise of bigger adventures and higher mountain ranges. I was also part of a counterculture that rejected social norms in favor of 100-day ski seasons.

We can balance hydropower and salmon by removing obsolete dams

As a proud member of the Flathead Electric Cooperative, I feel the one-sided and misleading letter Dec. 2 from Gary Weins needs to be corrected.

Legals for December, 17 2023

Dylan Van Elzen-Schleifer, 40

Dylan Thomas Van Elzen-Schleifer, Jan. 15, 1983 - Dec. 3, 2023

Environmental groups sue over train-related grizzly deaths

Two environmental groups are suing Burlington Northern Santa Fe over the train-related deaths of dozens of federally protected grizzly bears in northwestern Montana and northern Idaho.