U.S. Senate Race: Libertarian Kyle Austin Pitches Himself as the ‘True Independent’
A pharmacist and farmer from Havre, whose party has disavowed his candidacy, says voters are ready for change
By Mariah Thomas
Elections
Forstag Outraises Flint by Nearly $1 Million as House Race Tightens to a Toss-Up
Republican Aaron Flint still leads in cash on hand and outside spending. In the Senate, joint fundraising committees put Kurt Alme on top, though independent Seth Bodnar’s campaign outraised Alme’s own.
By Mariah ThomasThe Latest
MONTANA'S BRAND OF BANKING
Flathead Living
The Case for Going in Circles
In 'The Way Around: A Field Guide to Going Nowhere,' Missoula author Nicholas Triolo delivers a meditation on movement — and what circling back can teach us
By Maggie Doherty
‘It’s Three Steps from the Field to Our Plate’
At Two Sisters Cafe, Susan and Beth Higgins are serving up Blackfeet-raised bison, with a side of education, for the unversed tourists and seasoned travelers alike
By Jules Lingenfelter
More Dirt to Play On: Flathead Area Mountain Bikers Blaze New Trails
The nonprofit organization is making headway on two new trail systems in the Whitefish Range and Crane Mountain in Bigfork
By Zoë BuhrmasterNEWS & FEATURES
2026 General Election: A Northwest Montana Voter’s Guide to Local, State and Federal Races
Absentee ballots went out Oct. 9, and Election Day is Nov. 3. Flathead Valley voters will weigh an open U.S. Senate seat, an open western congressional seat, a state Supreme Court contest, three ballot measures and a full slate of legislative and county races. Here’s what to know.
Kalispell Man Charged with Deliberate Homicide in Apartment Complex Shooting
Regier, Waterman Face Off in Senate District 4 Race
U.S. Senate Race: Alme Runs on Montana Roots and a Budget-Balancing Résumé
At Kalispell Rally, Trump Urges Montanans to ‘Get Out and Vote’
Flathead Judges Amy Eddy and Dan Wilson Face Off in Montana Supreme Court Race
OUTDOORS
Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission Adopts New Fishing Rules, Orders Anglers to Kill Flathead Brown Trout
Commissioner Ian Wargo’s amendments prompt FWP to commit to stakeholder meetings on lake trout suppression and Flathead Lake management
At Ninth Circuit, a Fight Over What ‘Recovered’ Means for Montana’s Wolves
Speed to Burn
Glacier National Park to Close Going-to-the-Sun Road Ahead of Winter Weather
From Mountain Goats to Mental Health Initiatives, Glacier Conservancy Puts $4.5 Million to Work
Snow, Strong Winds and a Hard Freeze Forecast for Northwest Montana this Weekend
Sponsored Content
Sponsored by Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Venture Boldly Forward Together
The Discover Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner and fundraiser takes place Nov. 5 at the Hilton Garden Inn
Sponsored by Piton Wealth
Questions to Ask of Financial Advisors
The questions clients actually ask, from fees and fiduciary duty to succession planning
Sponsored by Flathead Valley Community College
Come Enjoy the Flavors of FVCC’s Grand Wine Tasting and Help Make College Possible
FVCC’s largest scholarship fundraiser takes place on Oct. 30 at Wachholz College Center on its Kalispell campus. Tickets go on sale Sept. 15.
NEWSLETTERS
SPORTS
Wall of Fame Induction to Kick Off Kalispell Crosstown Football Rivalry
Braves and Griz alum Dylan McFarland will be inducted into the Legends Wall of Fame during the crosstown clash between the Wolfpack and Braves football squads on Thursday night
Whitefish High School Girls Golf Team Claims 2026 Class A State Title
Whitefish Volleyball Program to Commemorate Nearly Half-Century Legacy
Glacier High School Flag Football to Represent Montana on National Stage
2026 Flathead Valley Fall Sports Preview
How Two Kalispell Women in Their 50s Became Record-setting Powerlifters
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Whitefish Native Selected as Finalist in Nationwide Songwriter Festival Contest
Tim Torgerson will perform alongside nine other finalists as part of the Whitefish Songwriter Festival’s first-ever “It’s All About the Song” Songwriting Contest on Sept. 18 at the O’Shaughnessy Center
Creamy Salad Dressing Base and Variations
Vegetable and Shrimp Fried Rice
Wachholz Center Announces Fall Lineup of Free and Discounted Community Events
Curried Sweet Potato and Mango
Fresh Pear and Plum Cake
OPINION
Bodnar’s ‘Independent’ Bid Won’t Play Well with Feisty Montana Democrats
His campaign misjudged how Democrats would react to being asked to step aside
Re-elect Judge Tim Wenz as Flathead County Justice of the Peace
He has experience on both sides of criminal law
Montana Climate Matters: The Water Under Our Feet
The choices we make today will determine whether our children inherit a state with running rivers and productive soils
Share a letter or guest column with the Flathead Beacon.
Editor's Picks
At 100 and Beyond, Centenarians Gather in Kalispell
The celebration brought together 16 centenarians from across the state to share their stories and offer words of advice
As Anglers Weigh In, Commissioner Moves to Rewrite Flathead Fishing Rules
Ian Wargo's four amendments would cut the lake trout limit to 20, keep limits on pike, bass and rainbow trout, and change river hook rules; comments due Oct. 9
Federal Memo Would Exempt Accidental Killings from Endangered Species Act
A former grizzly recovery coordinator says the internal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service directive would mean “a whole lot of dead and injured grizzly bears”
Police Blotter
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
