State lawmakers dip into debate over Flathead Lake summer water level
The Montana Legislature is wading into an ongoing debate over Flathead Lake’s water level following the introduction of a new resolution by Kalispell Republican Sen. Matt Regier.
State lawmakers’ efforts to remove federal land protections met with resistance
Legislation in support of efforts to roll back federal land protections met strong opposition during initial hearings in Helena this week.
Montana House votes down harsher penalties for employers hiring immigrants in US illegally
The Montana House on Monday narrowly voted down a bill that would have imposed tougher penalties on employers caught hiring immigrants in the United States illegally.
Montana Legislature debates the future of arts and culture funding
Legislators are doubling down on efforts to reform a set of state grants dedicated to local arts and cultural projects.
Libby residents fight trio of bills that could make suing corporations more difficult
A suite of bills that critics say could make it harder to sue corporations faced strong opposition from Libby residents at a Montana Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday.
Montana Department of Labor and Industry responds to federal layoffs
Twenty current and former federal workers gathered at state Department of Labor and Industry officers across Montana at 9 a.m. on March 12 for a “Rapid Response Event” aimed at “assist[ing] those impacted by federal layoffs.” Another 23 people attended virtually.
Montana House passes another bill taking aim at asbestos claimants
On the final day before the mid-session break, the Montana House passed two measures affecting hundreds of wrongful death and personal injury claims lodged against BNSF Railway.
Thinning project expected in Ray Kuhns Wildlife Managment Area this summer
According to an environmental assessment released by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, a combination of commercial and non-commercial thinning, prescribed burning, grass seeding and noxious weed control will be implemented throughout much of the management area’s eastern parcel beginning July 15.
Residents endorse state plans to add acreage to conservation easement
The state completed the first phase of the plan in February by purchasing rights to 32,821 acres of land roughly north of the Thompson chain of lakes from Green Diamond Resource Company, creating the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement. Now, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking approval to add another 52,930 acres to the perpetual easement.
Gravel beach plan aims to mitigate shoreline erosion on Flathead Lake
Pebbled beaches are the norm for much of Flathead Lake’s natural shoreline, but a combination of high summer water levels and frequent storms have cut much of the lakeshore into a jigsaw of steep banks and exposed roots.
Closures expected as Glacier National Park repairs infrastructure systems
The project is expected to span three years, starting in fall 2025 with repairs in the Two Medicine and St. Mary areas. According to a story map published by the park, leaks in the outdated water systems in these areas cost thousands of dollars every year.
Montana Legislators offer utilities looser liability laws in exchange for increased wildfire mitigation strategies
The Montana House has unanimously passed legislation to enforce stricter wildfire mitigation standards and reduce liability for utility companies and cooperatives.
Miscommunication results in loss of funding for Flathead Valley arts programs
State legislators have stripped funds from five local arts nonprofits, accusing the organizations of showing disrespect for the legislative process by not attending committee hearings.
New Audubon coordinator cultivates community through birding
These quiet moments are a little harder to find since Jess Garby became Flathead Audubon Society’s educator coordinator last fall. Now, she is often accompanied by rambunctious elementary schoolers or inquisitive hobbyists on her birding trips, but Garby said she welcomes the ruckus, even if it scares the birds away.
Friends, family reflect on the legacy of Flathead Valley conservationist 'Lex' Blood
William “Lex” Blood had only lived in the Flathead Valley a few years when the first Cabinet Creek mines threatened to poison Northwest Montana waterways, but the former miner quickly became an unlikely hero when he led the effort to stall the projects.
House GOP passes bill restricting Montana voters of “unsound mind”
A House bill to impose new restrictions on voters of “unsound mind" could affect hundreds of patients in the Montana State Hospital and other state-run facilities.
Forest Service terminations cut deep on Flathead National Forest
Fischer Gangemi never really considered a career outside of the Forest Service.
Glacier National Park updates wildfire response plan
A new fire management plan for Glacier National Park will incorporate prescribed burning and other forest treatments into the park’s ongoing efforts to prevent wildfires.
Effort to let nontribal property owners hunt on Flathead Indian Reservation fails
The House Committe on Fish, Wildlife and Parks last week tabled a bill allowing some nontribal members to hunt deer and elk on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Critics warn bills would let BNSF Railway off the hook in asbestos-related suits
The House passed legislation this week that could jeopardize hundreds of wrongful death and contamination lawsuits related to the Libby Asbestos Superfund Site.
Proposed timber sale on Spencer Mountain, Beaver Lakes draws ire of local recreationists
The conservation group that helped create the Whitefish Trail says a proposed timber sale could damage or close some of the trail network's most beloved areas.
Officials will consider banning motorized boats on Bull River amidst citizen complaints
Wildlife officials will consider new rules regulating the use of motorized boats on the Bull River south of Libby, following a petition from a local landowner.
Protesters in Kalispell rally against Trump's government shakeup
About a hundred people gathered in downtown Kalispell on Monday to protest the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk’s efforts to reshape the federal government.
Zinke reintroduces efforts to regulate summer water levels on Flathead Lake
Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke has again introduced legislation that would require the Interior Department to maintain water levels in Flathead Lake during the warmer months.
Bills altering mill levies will jeopardize public safety, critics say
Two bills designed to lower property taxes by changing the way mill levies work elicited opposition from local government officials, including those in Kalispell, last week.
House Republicans in Montana pass resolution supporting the Trump administration
Republicans in the Montana House of Representatives carried a resolution supporting Donald Trump’s presidency on Feb. 5.
Opponents warn bill will lead to racial profiling in Montana
Opponents of a bill that encourages local law enforcement to check people’s immigration status say the legislation amounts to little more than legalized racial profiling.
Legislation provides “a clear path forward” for struggling police departments
As police departments across the nation report staff shortages, many Montana cities and towns are exploring new ways to provide law enforcement services. One common solution is to contract with the county sheriff’s department.
Plan to manage Flathead River recreation garners mixed reactions
A proposed set of rules aimed at regulating recreation on the Flathead River is generating more questions than answers for many residents.
Mitchell, Sprunger see bills pass out of the House
Flathead Valley legislators on Monday shepherded a clutch of bills through the Montana House of Representatives, including legislation related to work status verification, voting and petitioning, and a resolution celebrating Donald Trump’s presidency.
New bill promises harsher fines for boaters ignoring efforts to halt spread of invasive species in Montana
State wildlife officials examine over 100,000 boats annually at roadside inspection stations, searching for signs of hitchhiking critters that could harm local lakes, rivers and streams.
Tribes, wildlife officials oppose proposed hunting bill for Flathead Indian Reservation
Tribal advocates argued during a Tuesday evening hearing in Helena that a proposed hunting bill could jeopardize tribal-state relations and result in years of costly litigation.
Flathead Valley residents advocate for stricter drunk driving penalties
Flathead County residents recall the death of Robert "Bobby" Dewbre as they testify in favor of legislation that would provide stricter penalties for drunk driving.
Kalispell author keeps parents’ story of survival during Holocaust alive through novel
Kalispell author Kate Fraser wrote a book based on her parents' experiences as Jewish teenagers in Nazi-occupied Hungary.
Kalispell lawmaker proposes tighter enforcement of worker verification laws
The House Business and Labor Committee will hear testimony on legislation related to work authorization verification on Jan. 22.
Polson lawmaker proposes new hunting regulations for Flathead Indian Reservation
Representative Tracy Sharp will likely propose a bill to grant state wildlife officials jurisdiction over hunting permits on some reservation lands.
Chronic wasting disease detected in deer on Flathead Indian Reservation for first time
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on Tuesday confirmed a case of chronic wasting disease in the Hog Heaven Wildlife Mangement Unit east of Elmo.