Generations of Students Bid Farewell to Carolyn Wieringa
The rural teacher retires after three decades, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the tight-knit West Glacier community
By Mariah Thomas
Elections
2026 Primary Election: A Northwest Montana Voter’s Guide to Local and Statewide Races
Absentee ballots went out May 8. The primary takes place June 2. Voters in Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Glacier counties will decide more than a dozen competitive races. Here's what to know.
By Beacon StaffThe Latest
Flathead Living
Millions of Miles
Glacier Park Boat Co.’s Little Chief will hit the century milestone this summer, marking a lifetime of transporting millions of visitors millions of miles in its 100 years of service to the park
By Lauren Frick
Can’t-Miss Events for Summer 2026
Enjoy a full slate of live music, rodeos, festivals and other events to keep you entertained in the Flathead Valley this summer
By Lauren Frick
Missing on Mount Cleveland
In 1969, five climbers set out to accomplish what no one had before: to scale the sheer north face of Mount Cleveland, Glacier National Park's tallest mountain, in winter. Instead, tragedy struck and they were buried in an avalanche so deep that their bodies would not be discovered until the following June, 188 days after their disappearance.
By Butch LarcombeNEWS & FEATURES
Telling Bigfork’s Story
To mark the town's 125th anniversary, a new history exhibit opens at the Bigfork Art and Cultural Center
Authorities Recover Body from Flathead Lake in Bigfork
Mental Health Nonprofit Reduces Barriers with Therapy Scholarships
State Senate Calls on Windy Boy to Resign His Seat
Flathead Valley City Planners Give State Legislators Progress Report on Housing and Zoning Reform
Flathead River Forecast to Reach Flood Stage
OUTDOORS
Authorities Warn of Spring Runoff Hazards Amid Flood Watch
Search and rescue teams have responded to multiple boating incidents on the Flathead River system since Memorial Day Weekend as swift water, cold temperatures and debris create hazardous conditions
Kootenai Forest Land Acquisition Conserves Key Cabinet Mountain Access, Griz Habitat
The Slow Season
Bear Spray Shack Vending Machines Spread From Glacier to Grand Teton
Can Glacier National Park Crack its Congestion Crisis by Scaling Up its Shuttle System?
Whitefish Mountain Resort Visitation Drops 8% During 2025-2026 Season
Sponsored Content
Sponsored by Flathead Rivers Alliance & American Rivers
Celebrating 50 Years of Wild and Scenic
The July 10th Flathead River Fest at Marantette Park celebrates the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River
Sponsored by Flathead Valley Community College
Wachholz College Center Open House Returns June 18 With Free Concert by 20 Grand
Annual event offers season preview, waived ticket fees, and outdoor performance by nine-piece funk band
Sponsored by Piton Wealth
Engineering a Retirement Plan: Q&A with Piton Advisors
Piton Wealth Advisors started leaning into the overlap between their work and engineering a couple of years ago
NEWSLETTERS
SPORTS
Flathead Valley Teams Prepare for Spring State Tournaments
Action will kick off on Thursday as local baseball, softball, tennis and track and field athletes compete for the chance to bring a state title back to the valley
Glacier and Flathead High Schools Eye Playoff Push in Inaugural Seasons
Kalispell Glacier Football Program Penalized for Recruiting
‘Roller Derby on Another Level’
Girls on the Run Western Montana Forms New Partnership with Whitefish Marathon
Sending Out the Season
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Ten Years of the Beacon’s Glacier National Park Posters
Beacon designers pull from personal experiences to give an authentic ode to the park’s most iconic features and landmarks
Balsamic-Roasted Radishes
Can’t-Miss Events for Summer 2026
Spring Pearl Barley Salad
Tomato and Herb Salad Dressing
Rhubarb-Ginger Seltzer
OPINION
The Military Deserves the Right to Repair Its Own Gear
In addition to reducing costs and enhancing competition, the Warrior Right to Repair Act will improve military readiness
Ensuring Prosperity for Montana’s Families by Promoting Business Investment in Montana
The upcoming Investing in Montana Summit is designed to connect local business owners and entrepreneurs with investors and regulators
Class of 2026 in the World of Artificial Intelligence
I know this graduating class will thrive and embrace the challenge of an uncertain future
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Editor's Picks
Local Legislative Candidates Rake in Cash Ahead of Primary Election
Flathead-area candidates for the state legislature have attracted more than $325,000 combined in funding during the primary election cycle
White-collar Workforce Continues to Drive the Flathead Valley’s Economy
A Montana Department of Labor and Industry report revealed the financial and professional services sector is responsible for nearly one third of the state’s economic production as banking and real estate dominate the Flathead Valley
Can Glacier National Park Crack its Congestion Crisis by Scaling Up its Shuttle System?
Park administrators have shelved a post-pandemic vehicle-reservation pilot program in favor of a new plan to expand parking and grow its shuttle network. But without any guaranteed federal funding, some stakeholders worry they're moving forward without fallback plan.
Police Blotter
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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
