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.

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.

Zinke seeks evidence of his own claims about arrival of immigrant family

Despite raising the specter that a nonprofit worked with the Biden administration to relocate immigrants in the country illegally to Kalispell earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke has yet to produce evidence for the claim.

Montana Commissioner of Political Practices opens complaints against AG candidates

Democrats lodge complaints against Attorney General, Daniels County Attorney

Writers dig into ways of China

He spoke flawless Mandarin. I felt a mix of jealousy and awe over his perfect tones, those quirks of pronunciation that give each Chinese word five different meanings.

Brenda Kay (White) Hodgson-Ocheltree

Brenda Kay (White) Hodgson-Ocheltree, came into this world on March 14, 1943, in Independence, Missouri.

Legals for May, 19 2024

Legals for May, 17 2024

Why is inflation bad and what causes it?

Most of us are painfully aware of inflation. Webster’s dictionary says, “inflation is a continuing increase in the general price level.”

Law roundup: Concerned caller misses the mark

Seeing a man practicing archery near several soccer fields where children were playing, a passerby alerted the Kalispell Police Department. Although the archery practice didn’t seem unsafe per se, the passerby felt that loosing arrows near the playing fields was a poor choice.

Artist finds niche in collaborating with local bands

The 27-year-old has been an artist his whole life, earning him recognition as a student at Bigfork High School where he illustrated a comic book for his senior project and doodled in the margins of his assignments.

Legals for May, 16 2024

Knudsen says he got primary opponent to run so he could raise more money

At a Saturday night campaign event billed as a “conservative cookout,” Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen told a crowd that he had put a friend and fellow Republican up to running against him in his bid for re-election in order to raise more money and because he believes state law is “ridiculous,” according to a recording that captured part of his remarks and was obtained by the Daily Montanan.

Handguns and bear spray

Wow, it’s springtime in the Flathead. Last weekend was a great spring weekend with daytime highs in the 70s and 80s, plus bright sunny skies.

Tester backs bill to detain immigrants accused of crimes

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester backed the Laken Riley Act last week, becoming the first Senate Democrat to throw support behind the legislation, which focuses on crimes committed by immigrants in the country illegally.

Somers Middle School goes to the ducks for telling of fairy tale

Feathered friends take the stage Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18, at Somers Middle School in a “poultry tale” of self-discovery in “Honk Jr.”

Commanders should honor Montana’s Wetzel family, Native American heritage

At today’s hearing we also have H.R.4984, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act.

Fewer US overdose deaths were reported last year, but experts are still cautious

NEW YORK (AP) — The number of U.S. fatal overdoses fell last year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data posted Wednesday.

Glacier Volunteer Associates hold volunteer day May 18

The Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates will be working on four projects this weekend in the park and are inviting the public to help.

Art students touch up sidewalk murals in Whitefish

Paintbrushes, frog wizards, pollution and Whitefish Lake — if you’re wondering what the missing link is here, a Whitefish High School advanced art student might be able to tell you.