As the International Joint Commission begins examining Canadian coal mining pollution along the Montana border, leaders from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and the Ktunaxa Nation will serve on the oversight board, an historic first for Indigenous governments.

Located 13 miles west of Whitefish in the wildland-urban interface, the Cyclone Bill Project would cover 40,880 acres, including Tally Lake and Logan Creek. Members of the public have 45 days to submit objections before the project is finalized.

With angling and environmental pressures ramping up on streams and rivers, the state Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to reel in recreational angling for bull trout in the Flathead, extend a ban on treble hooks and lower the bag limit for wild trout across western Montana

With big game check stations reporting more deer and elk harvested in northwest Montana compared to last year, wildlife officials say the upcoming “rut” could further improve hunters’ chances in the field

Awarded to Flathead Electric Cooperative, Montana West Economic Development and the Flathead National Forest, the money will fund fuel-reduction projects in the wildland urban interface and help landowners build fuel breaks to protect their property

Last year, a federal court order shortened trapping season in grizzly bear habitat to avoid conflicts with the endangered species, as well as prevent accidental bycatch. This year, state wildlife managers have also proposed some regulations on coyote trapping.

Three-term Whitefish representative Dave Fern will head to the Senate while Debo Powers, of Polebridge, won her bid for the state House

With line times at the Flathead County Election Department averaging 3 hours throughout much of Election Day, results may not be ready until hours after polls close

In addition to the poll workers assisting voters Tuesday, the nonpartisan Montana Election Observation Initiative recruited volunteers to monitor various local election procedures.

As bull trout populations in the Bob Marshall Wilderness plummet to their lowest levels in more than 30 years, fisheries managers are seeking to limit angling opportunities originally introduced to promote the iconic species

A bull and a cow were shot and left to waste, while a third elk was shot and taken. Anyone with information should visit tipmont.mt.gov or call the local game warden.

General hunting season kicked off Oct. 26 with nearly 2,000 hunters stopping at regional game check stations on Saturday and Sunday; overall, 10% of hunters reported game, a 3% increase over last year’s opening weekend

According to a two-year average captured in 2022 and 2023, annual statewide spending by nonresident visitors totaled $5.82 billion, including $1 billion in Flathead County; at nearly $2 billion, more than one third of all tourist spending was concentrated in the Glacier Country travel region

Covering eastern Flathead County, the race for House District 11 pits Republican Ed Byrne against Democrat Jennifer Allen, who views the uphill battle as an outreach opportunity

As Montana’s youth suicide rates continue to outpace the national average, with Flathead County ranking near the top, local coaches, educator, and prevention experts say stories of strength and resilience are important mile markers in the marathon of mental wellness.