Featured Articles in News

Gianforte Highlights Firearms Manufacturing Growth During Kalispell Visits

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte toured two Flathead Valley firearms manufacturers this week, promoting the state’s growing role as a hub for firearms and ammunition production and emphasizing support for Second Amendment-related businesses. During stops in Kalispell, Gianforte visited Invader Concepts and FALKOR Defense, two Montana-based companies producing firearm accessories and precision weapons systems, respectively. “Across Read More…

Treasury Announces Trump Signature to Appear on Future U.S. Currency

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced plans to include President Donald Trump’s signature on future U.S. paper currency, marking what officials say will be the first time a sitting president’s signature appears on American banknotes. The change is being made in recognition of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, also known as the Semiquincentennial, with Read More…

Applications Open for North Dakota’s LIFT Loan Program

The North Dakota Department of Commerce has opened applications for the state’s Legacy Investment for Technology, or LIFT, loan program, with submissions due April 23. State officials said the program continues to play a key role in helping North Dakota companies commercialize intellectual property and expand innovation-driven businesses across the state. “We are grateful to Read More…

Federal, State Officials Highlight Joint Effort to Combat Government Fraud

U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced new coordinated efforts to combat government fraud during a joint press conference Thursday in Sioux Falls. The two offices emphasized a shared commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars, ensuring public funds reach intended recipients, and prosecuting individuals who defraud state, federal, or tribal programs. Read More…

All in: News

Wyoming economy was strong in 1st quarter

Wyoming’s economy was healthy in the first three months of 2018, with employment strong and sales tax collections rising. The figures came from the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information. Taxable sales rose 17.9 percent statewide in January, February and March, hitting $3.9 billion. READ THE FULL STORY.

Financial analyst, doctor defend KRH health-care practices

A former financial analyst at Kalispell Regional Healthcare said this week the whistleblower lawsuit filed against the hospital is a skewed and out-of-context snapshot of a complex business model that aimed to create the best possible health-care network for patients. Chris Hassler, the manager of financial analysis at Kalispell Regional for 16 years until she Read More…

Illicit drone flights surge along US-Mexico border as smugglers hunt for soft spots

Smugglers are using video cameras and small drones to spot vulnerabilities along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the Department of Homeland Security is struggling to stop them. Reports of unmanned aircraft flying along the Southwest border have spiked in recent months, with more than three dozen sightings since October, when the current fiscal year began. That Read More…

High Waters Create High Worries Near Ethete

Weather conditions caused a highway near Ethete to flood and may lead to future road closures. News 13 spoke with a few residents in the area about how this could impact their daily routine. Walter Tidzump says he was just following his regular morning routine when, “I usually get up about five to let my Read More…

The muscle behind the punch: Local National Guard unit readies for Afghanistan

Montana Army National Guard soldiers based in Kalispell are one step closer to setting foot in Afghanistan. Sixty-eight members of the 495th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion deployed in mid-May, bound for a mobilization station at Fort Hood, Texas. According to Maj. Christopher Lende, chief of public affairs for the Montana National Guard, they are expected Read More…

Montana Justice Department launches new website for sexual assault survivors

HELENA – The Montana Department of Justice announced Tuesday they have developed a new website and hotline for survivors of sexual assault. The site features a video message from Montana Attorney General Tim Fox and is at www.dojmt.gov/SAKI. It includes: Links to survivor resources, including an interactive map to locate nearby services Crisis phone numbers Read More…

Bullock requests federal disaster declaration for flooding in Montana

HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock on Monday requested a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide more resources to the state from the federal government for cleanup and recovery from widespread spring flooding. “Montanans have come together to help our friends, neighbors and communities respond to the devastating impacts of Read More…

Montana Insurance Commissioner Warns Homeowners To Prepare For Fire Season

Despite recent rains, fire season is coming soon and is predicted to be worse than average. Montana Insurance commissioner Matt Rosendale is pleading with Montanans to prepare for the worst by cataloging valuable possessions, a process that is especially important for those that live in the Wildland Urban interface. “Thorough inventories should include photos and/or Read More…

Southwest Flight 1380 pilot Tammie Jo Shults says life hasn’t been the same since landing damaged plane Filed under Southwest Airlines

After landing a plane with a failed engine, Southwest pilot Tammie Jo Shults has returned to the skies again. But, she said, very little of her life since that flight in April has been routine. She has visited President Donald Trump at the White House. She has been interviewed on 20/20. And now, passengers stop Read More…

Joe Brenneman, Former Flathead County Commissioner, Dies

Former Flathead County Commissioner and Creston farmer Joe Brenneman died on Sunday in Kalispell. Brenneman, who was 60, died at the Health Center Northwest on June 10. Brenneman was elected to the Flathead County Commission in a 2004 vote that was so close it garnered a recount, which Brenneman won. READ THE FULL STORY.

New book profiles Montana’s women in agriculture

In the book, “Montana Women From the Ground Up, Passionate Voices in Agriculture and Land Conservation,” you will find the stories of women who are strong, independent farmers and ranchers. The book was written by Kristine Ellis and was released this year. The book is a compilation of women across the state and their stories Read More…

New organization aims to provide mentorship, access to capital to Montana startups

Tired of scalpers reselling tickets at inflated prices, longtime concertgoers Joel Martin and Henry Vinson decided to develop a better system. The Montana State University graduates created a web app, Sellout, to eliminate what the pair see as the biggest issues with modern-day ticketing. After buying a ticket, the app obscures its barcode until the Read More…

Daines kicks off Montana Energy Summit in Billings

Republican U.S. Senator Steve Daines kicked off the 2018 Montana Energy Summit saying energy production is the catalyst to winning in the global economy. “Energy production can be either an opportunity or a threat to the U.S. economy,” Daines said. He said China will become the largest importer of oil and Montana can help the Read More…

Pentagon pushes NATO for more troops to help maintain security in Iraq

The Pentagon is working behind-the-scenes on a plan to get NATO allies to play a far more significant, boots-on-the-ground role in maintaining security in Iraq as the U.S. military revamps its anti-Islamic State mission into a longer-term stabilization campaign. Pentagon sources have told The Washington Times that Defense Secretary James N. Mattis intends to present Read More…