A record-low snowpack has sent ripples through the local winter-recreation economy, but current conditions and forecasts leave business community optimistic

One longtime district ranger says he tried for years to suspend an outfitter’s special-use permit in the Bob after repeat offenses. Instead, his efforts were undermined and he was reassigned to an administrative office.

Senior healthcare demand rises in the Flathead; thousands of local children and adults have dropped off the Medicaid rolls since the state began reviewing enrollment; plus 'Ask the Expert' with Kalispell pediatrician Dr. John Cole

The Ascent program transformed the lives of at-risk Glacier High School students before shutting down due to budget cuts last fall. Now, its supporters are hoping to bring it back for the next generation of Kalispell teenagers.

Thirty years after an avalanche killed five people in the northern Swan Range on New Year’s Eve, local rescuers, skiers and snowmobilers reflect on the tragic event and the evolution of search and rescue protocol and avalanche education that followed

A selection of the Beacon's best imagery from the past year

From incredible rescues to record-breaking feats to a Constitution at a crossroads, here are a few of our best stories

From the Royal Burger at Richwine’s Burgerville to the fresh-baked pies at Loula’s, here are few entrees, restaurants and local chefs we dished on over the last year

Under new ownership, the historic lodge will remain closed for winter as construction delays stalled plans for renovation. But one man and his pistenbully hopes to preserve the Essex area’s most beloved tradition

Highlighting the best Flathead Valley athletes from the fall sports seasons

At a pair of recent binational meetings, tribal and First Nation governments said any solution to pollution in the international watershed must include IJC intervention, with Sen. Tester urging a unilateral reference if Canada refuses to engage

City council elections were held Nov. 7 in Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Whitefish, where voters also approved reallocating a portion of the resort tax for community housing

Hundreds of housing units are cropping up in the once-empty area northwest of Kalispell. With limited resources at its disposal, one small, rural school district is left to accommodate the wave of new children moving to the area.

As conservation groups emerge from court victorious in their mission to stop controversial logging projects, the future of the Yaak Valley and its timber industry remains in limbo

Voters are also being asked to decide if they support reallocating a portion of the city’s resort tax to go towards funding community housing programs