The 2025 Construction Issue
Local builders are preparing for rising material costs and sourcing adjustments due to tariffs; plus, Market Metrics and Financial Corner
By Beacon Staff
Legislature
Slate of Ballot Initiative Reform Bills Advances Through Legislature
Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, said his legislation pertaining to ballot issues will strengthen the electoral process, while Democrats warn of potential for voter disenfranchisement
By Denali SagnerThe Latest
Flathead Living
Pete’s Fried Chicken Sammy
Pete Barbera’s drive-up lunch spot keeps it simple with a limited menu and hand-fried chicken sandwiches
By Denali Sagner
The Lost Streetcar of the Flathead Valley
The Flathead Interurban Railway joined a long list of failed dreams and forgotten schemes
By Justin Franz
Goodbye, Ranger Doug
Doug Follett, Glacier National Park’s oldest ranger who was hired for his first trail-clearing job as a teenager in 1942 and remained a fixture ever since, died on March 2. He was 98 years old.
By Justin FranzNEWS & FEATURES
County Asthma Program Offers Free Education and Resources in Time for Spring’s Allergens
The free program provides participants with home visits to assess environmental triggers and educational resources to control symptoms
Floor Space: What You Can Buy for About $700,000
Montana Sen. Steve Daines Visiting Beijing as Tariff Fight Grows
Proposal to Rejigger Marijuana Tax Revenue Advances
State Denies City’s Application to Extend Whitefish River Walking Trail
Kalispell Begins Implementing New Land Use Plan
OUTDOORS
Despite Hiring Headwinds, Glacier National Park Makes Headway on Summer Staffing
Even as park officials bolster the workforce with seasonal recruits, challenges persist as scores of Glacier Park employees face a March 26 deadline to accept buyouts or early retirement
Win for Public Landowners
Spring Weather Hopecast
Proposed Utility Projects in Glacier Park to Require Campground and Road Closures
Yellow Bay Park Closes for Infrastructure Upgrades
Moving Fast, Breaking the Outdoors
Sponsored Content
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To Build or To Buy? Construction and Lot Loans Can Ease the Path to Homeownership
First Interstate Bank has a certified construction lender on hand in the Flathead Valley who can help you make informed decisions about the homebuilding process
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Three Rivers Bank of Montana Announces Strategic Alliance with Merit Financial Advisors to Launch Wealth Management Division
Through this collaboration, Three Rivers Bank will offer a full suite of financial planning and investment management services tailored to meet the unique needs of the local community
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SPORTS
Montana Grizzlies End Season with Loss to Wisconsin Badgers at NCAA Tournament
The Griz dropped to 2-14 in NCAA tournament games, keeping 2006 as the most recent win for UM and the Big Sky Conference.
Thierry Scores 16 as Balanced Ohio State Beats Montana State 71-51 in Women’s NCAA Tournament
Montana State Bobcats get 13 Seed in NCAA Tournament, Will Play at Ohio State in First Round
Montana Grizzlies Receive No. 14 Seed in East Region at NCAA Tournament
Dykstra’s Putback at Buzzer Gives Montana State Women a Victory Over Montana to Claim Big Sky Title
Montana Heads to NCAA Tournament for First Time Since 2019 with 91-83 Win Over Northern Colorado
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Bibler Home and Garden Tour Ticket Sales to Open in April
The FVCC Foundation partners with Bibler Gardens to sell tickets as a way of raising money to support student scholarships.
Brined and Seasoned Pot Beans
With Upcoming Whitefish EP Release Concert, Big Sky City Lights Finally Gets to Celebrate
Loaf-Pan Lemon Cake
Sweet Spice Mix
Yonder Mountain String Band’s High-Energy Bluegrass Sound Set to Make its Kalispell Debut
OPINION
Don’t Lose Track of Financial Accounts
Whatever the reason, losing tabs on accounts that could be worth thousands of dollars is never a good thing
These Republicans Are Not Conservatives
Our delegation is not listening to its constituents
Erasing History
The misguided and Orwellian attempt to extinguish the record of the progress of the American foundation
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Editor's Picks
Despite Hiring Headwinds, Glacier National Park Makes Headway on Summer Staffing
Even as park officials bolster the workforce with seasonal recruits, challenges persist as scores of Glacier Park employees face a March 26 deadline to accept buyouts or early retirement
Eureka Business Owners Remain Optimistic Despite U.S.-Canada Trade War Tension
As tariff-induced tensions escalate between the two countries, business owners in Eureka say they continue to see regular Canadian customers, attributing a drop in travel to the pandemic-era border closure and the weak dollar that has chilled Canadian spending in recent years
The Lay of the Land Bills
As the Montana Legislature hits its halfway point, dozens of natural resource bills have emerged regarding land-use policies, outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife initiatives, and more. Some have died — like a bill to reclassify e-bikes as nonmotorized vehicles and a measure to restrict state land leases with nonprofit organizations — while others have advanced.
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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