In one word, what Kal Penn finds most inspiring about Barack Obama’s presidential run is its integrity. “Not since Kennedy has a President challenged us to do our part,” Penn said Sunday evening in the Mezzanine room at Red’s Wines & Blues in Kalispell. Penn is an actor on the TV medical drama “House” and […]

As the prolonged primary race drags on between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, it’s been easy to become a bit disenchanted with the whole ordeal and find oneself simply wishing that a winner – any winner – would emerge. But, as people continue to debate whether the primary marathon is the best thing for the […]

CROW AGENCY – Pledging to usher in a new era of honest federal dealings with Indian tribes, Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama on Monday made an unprecedented stop in Montana Indian country for a rally at the Crow reservation. Obama told several thousand American Indian supporters that he would honor long-ignored treaty obligations and revamp […]

With Paddlefest coming the weekend of May 17 and the Whitewater Festival soon after, kayak season is officially here. What some call “Northwest Montana’s biggest little boat shop,” Silver Moon Kayak Company is a great place to get those last minute accessories, boat rentals and upgrades. Entering the unassuming building off North Somers Road, co-owners […]

KALISPELL – The National Wrestling Coaches Association has chosen Jeff Thompson of the Flathead Valley for the organization’s regional coach-of-the-year award. Thompson recently announced he would step down as the wrestling coach at Flathead High School in Kalispell, after eight years at the helm. He said he wanted more time with his wife and four […]

With cooler than expected weekend temperatures, the National Weather Service revised earlier flooding predictions downward Saturday, though several rivers are still expected to near or reach flood stage. The crest of the Fisher River near Libby was revised slightly downward, but the river was still expected to exceed its 7.5-foot flood stage Sunday and continue […]

LANDER, Wyo. – The state of Wyoming is challenging a request from environmental groups seeking to reinstate federal protection for gray wolves. Wyoming has intervened as a defendant in the lawsuit filed by environmental groups opposed to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent decision to remove wolves from protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. […]

The three Democratic candidates for state attorney general gathered for a forum in Kalispell recently, where they expressed skepticism about the constitutionality of proposed random drug testing for Whitefish high school students, and discussed the attorney general’s responsibility as a moderator during inter-local conflicts like the dispute between Flathead County and Whitefish. When asked by […]

Martial arts are born in the most unlikely places. In some people’s minds, they’re born in distant East Asian countries, in shadowy outposts where deadly masters gaze approvingly at their emerging protégés. To others, they’re born in Chuck Norris movies. But to the 40 or so trainees at the Universal Submission Academy (U.S.A.), they’re born […]

WASHINGTON – It almost didn’t happen at all, but much of the farm bill passed by Congress this week is good for Montana — including disaster aid for farmers, country-of-origin labeling for meats and a provision that could help head off development of privately owned land in western Montana. Montana Sen. Max Baucus, a Democrat, […]

With temperatures forecasted to rise into the high 80s in the next few days, melting snowpack is expected to bring several northwestern Montana rivers and streams to flood stage by the end of this weekend, the National Weather Service officials said Thursday afternoon. Temperatures throughout the Flathead Valley are expected to reach the low 80s […]

The Kalispell Police and Flathead County Sheriff’s reports for Wednesday included the following: 7:07 a.m. A devious grocery store clerk was busted after months of allowing thieves to sneak stolen malt liquor out the back door. 8:02 a.m. Five mailboxes were pummeled on Somers Road. 11:34 a.m. A Kalispell man called in to complain that […]

Thursday after hours, Columbia Falls held its monthly business networking event – Business After Hours. This month’s event was held at Falls Station, where Patrick McCracken’s Edward D Jones office, Alpine Clinic, Sterling Title and Fairway Mortgage shared hosting duties. Jimmy DeHerrera and his wife Michealan. Eric Kaplan, Barbara Jenkins and MT Senate candidate Gil […]

They roll into Sliters Pak around 7 AM blasting music. “I’ve gotta’ find some way to get pumped,” says 33-year-old Nate Wilcoxen. After him a pick up truck pulls up with 30-year-old Cody Olszyk and then a car with the Meyers brothers. Whether it’s tools, car-seats, or books in the back seat, they all have […]

BILLINGS – Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama will hold a town hall meeting in Billings and a rally in Bozeman next week, a campaign spokesman said Thursday. Spokesman Matt Chandler said Obama would hold the meeting at Billings West High School on Monday morning to “focus on the hard working families in Montana and across […]