Stocking Up at Park Provisions
After selling popular pies out of their Coram bar, Stacey and Seth Schnebel decided to turn the restaurant next door into the “one-of-a-kind” Park Provisions
By Justin Franz
Music
Big Gift Brings North Valley Music School Fundraising Campaign to a Big Finish
If everything remains on schedule, the school anticipates construction on its new Smith Fields facility will wrap up in July
By Mike KordenbrockThe Latest
Flathead Living
Chasing Tracks and Trails in the Wild Swan
Born and raised in the Swan Valley, Luke Lamar didn’t have to stray far from home to find fulfillment. As a wildlife biologist, wilderness first responder and expert animal tracker, Lamar is promoting conservation and expanding stewardship in the Swan and beyond.
By Kay Bjork
Nordic Paradise
As snow piles up around Northwest Montana, Nordic groomers are hard at work creating a winter wonderland for cross-country skiers of all stripes
By Tristan Scott
A New Era in Essex
The new owners of Essex’s Izaak Walton Inn freshen up an old favorite
By Justin FranzNEWS & FEATURES
Montana Taxpayers Eligible for Education Donation Credit
Taxpayers can once again receive dollar-for-dollar tax credits for donations made to qualifying public schools and private school scholarship organizations
Montana Lawmakers Eye Child Care Challenges for the 2025 Session
Federal Judge to Issue Decision Over McDonald Creek Home Jurisdiction
Democrats See ‘Opportunities for Bipartisan Collaboration’ in 69th Legislature
Polson Defense Attorney and Lake County Judge-elect Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Drug Charges
With Lawsuit Pending, Warming Center Announces New Community Guide and Law Enforcement Liaison
OUTDOORS
Groups Sue to Halt Round Star Logging Project Near Whitefish
Calling the project “ill-conceived” and framing it as a “clearcut” in lynx habitat, the four conservation groups say Flathead National Forest’s plan to reduce wildfire hazards on 9,000 acres of forest around Tally Lake violates federal law
Feds Reject Petitions to Delist Grizzly Bears, Recommend Revising ESA Recovery Goals
In the Flathead Valley, Wealthy Private Landowners Leave Former Timberland Unlocked to the Public
Wouldn’t it be Nice?
Biden Administration Withdraws Old Growth Forest Plan After Getting Pushback from Industry and GOP
Forest Officials Reopen Public Engagement Process on Long-awaited Flathead River Management Plan
Most Popular
1In the Flathead Valley, Wealthy Private Landowners Leave Former Timberland Unlocked to the Public
Amid unprecedented development pressure, conservation easements have kept vast tracts of northwest Montana’s timbered landscape open to the public. But after the largest sale of the region’s timberland to a private buyer in recent history, the owners of Flathead Ridge Ranch have emerged as the unlikely gatekeepers to 126,000 forested acres of prime hunting habitat.
2Hospitality Company Adds Family Owned Montana House to its Glacier Park Portfolio
Pursuit, the travel, lodging and hospitality company, continues expanding its inventory of properties in and around Glacier National Park with the purchase of the historic Apgar Village business on the shore of Lake McDonald
3Federal Judge to Issue Decision Over McDonald Creek Home Jurisdiction
Calling the arguments "interesting," U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen DeSoto must now weigh in on who has exclusive jurisdiction over a home constructed on private land in Glacier National Park — the federal government or the state of Montana — and whether the property is subject to state environmental regulations.
4Groups Sue to Halt Round Star Logging Project Near Whitefish
Calling the project “ill-conceived” and framing it as a “clearcut” in lynx habitat, the four conservation groups say Flathead National Forest’s plan to reduce wildfire hazards on 9,000 acres of forest around Tally Lake violates federal law
5Montana Department of Corrections ‘Remains Committed’ to Establishing Prerelease Center in Northwest Montana
The state filed a lawsuit against Flathead County after the Board of Adjustment denied a conditional use permit for a prerelease center in Evergreen, arguing an abuse of discretion
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SPORTS
North Dakota State Wins 10th FCS Title as Miller Accounts for 4 TDs in 35-32 Win Over Montana State
Montana State has gone 40 years since winning its last national title
Same Starting QBs for Montana State and North Dakota State Three Years Later in Another FCS Title Game
Our Favorite Sports Stories of 2024
Brock Osweiler to Join ESPN Broadcast Team for FCS Championship Game Between Montana State, North Dakota State
Flathead High Announces Hiring Process to Begin in January For New Head Football Coach
Mellott Leads Montana State Over South Dakota 31-17 to Reach FCS Championship Game
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
‘Oz’-themed Whitefish Winter Carnival Approaches
With carnival kickoff slated for Saturday, this year’s theme is “There’s Snow Place Like Home," a wintery twist on the "Wizard of Oz"
Sourdough Brioche Rolls
Eighth Annual Sourdough Month
New Year’s Eve Events in the Flathead
Our Favorite Food Features of 2024
Broccoli, Tomato and Pasta Soup
OPINION
Montana’s Challenges Demand Leadership and Real Solutions
It’s time for legislators to roll up their sleeves, work together, and tackle the issues that matter most
Resist GOP Attack on Your Courts and Constitution
Voters will not favor more partisan politics in their courts
County Commissioners Fail Moral Responsibility
Their decision speaks to their extreme and hypocritical political ideology
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Editor's Picks
In the Flathead Valley, Wealthy Private Landowners Leave Former Timberland Unlocked to the Public
Amid unprecedented development pressure, conservation easements have kept vast tracts of northwest Montana’s timbered landscape open to the public. But after the largest sale of the region’s timberland to a private buyer in recent history, the owners of Flathead Ridge Ranch have emerged as the unlikely gatekeepers to 126,000 forested acres of prime hunting habitat.
Our Favorite Photography of 2024
A selection of the Beacon's best imagery from the past year
Our Favorite News Features of 2024
From a profile of an aerial stuntman to the consequences of a struggling timber industry to a Blackfeet member becoming a movie star, here are a few of our best stories from the last year
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Recent Podcasts
Project 7
A six-part series on notorious Flathead Valley militia leader David Burgert, who vanished into the wilderness after a shootout with sheriff's deputies in 2011
Held v. Montana
Flathead Beacon editor in chief Kellyn Brown is a cohost for today's episode, and asks host Micah Drew about the upcoming climate change lawsuit Held v. Montana