Missoula secures nearly $1 million federal grant for Reserve Street safety improvements

MISSOULA, Mont. — The City of Missoula has secured nearly $1 million in federal funding to improve traffic safety along Reserve Street, one of the city's busiest transportation corridors. The city was awarded $996,688 through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program. The...

A new fight begins over data centers in Montana

The Montana-based Frontier Institute has joined with others in challenging the ordinance in the State’s fourth judicial district on behalf of a tech company. Cub Cloud A-I is described as a Missoula-based firm with 18 employees that provides AI and cloud infrastructure to local businesses. It operates an 850 square foot data center in an industrial area between Interstate 90 and Missoula International Airport.

Transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr wins reelection unopposed in Montana

Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the transgender Democrat who became a national figure after Republican lawmakers barred her from the House floor in 2023, has secured another term representing the Missoula area. Zephyr ran unopposed in Montana's 95th House District, according to Decision Desk HQ, which called her reelection at...

Expert Says Election Results Impacting Montana Gas Prices is a 'Myth'

Gas prices have fallen in the 30 days leading up to the election every year since 2006 except 2010.

Montana's Sam Forstag Looks To Public Lands As Early Bipartisan Ground

Sam Forstag wants lasting change, not the political whipsaw. His first call went to Troy Downing, and the River Runs Through It Act is on his mind.

Victor residents seek mail delivery service reinstatement

The USPS claims the road is to blame, however, the County Commissioners and residents say a crash document details that human error caused the crash.

NBC MT Today: Look inside a data center, court rules against Knudsen, unsettled weather

Missoula prepares for its annual bulk leaf collection

MISSOULA, Mont. — As Missoula heads toward the colder months, the city is rolling out dates for its 2026 leaf collection. Residents should prepare to see collection soon if they have not already. The city of Missoula asks residents to rake leaves into the street by the curb two...

Kalispell teacher honored at State Capitol for dedication to Montana history

Kristopher Schreiner, who teaches eighth grade social studies at Kalispell Middle School, won this year’s Centennial Bell Montana History Teacher of the Year Award.

Insurance companies dispute who pays in Montana asbestos mining settlement

OMAHA, Neb. (CN) — Years after the state was found liable for asbestos risk to miners and residents near Libby, Montana, two insurance companies are still duking it out over who’s responsible for tens of millions of dollars based on “reinsurance” contracts inked more than a half-century ago.

Columbia Falls Proposes Short-Term Rental Permits, Stricter Resort Tax Enforcement

Columbia Falls city councilors this week got their first look at a proposed short-term rental policy and program that, if approved next month, would take effect at the start of the new year. The program — which aims to respect the economic importance of short-term rentals to the city and...

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs at Annual Grand Event

Thursday night, the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce brought together local businesses and organizations to celebrate entrepreneurship and community investment in the Flathead Valley. At the 2026 Grand Event, the chamber presented eight awards that recognized honorees’ outstanding work and commitment to creating a better Kalispell. This year’s theme, Venture...

William “Bill” (Pancho) Titus

William “Bill” (Pancho) Titus July 4, 1950—Oct. 12, 2026 Bill experienced a difficult childhood in Los Angeles, California and joined the Army at the age of 17. He was trained as a radarman but upon arriving in Vietnam was assigned to a LRRP unit. For the next 15 months his only thought was survival. He returned from Vietnam as a highly decorated veteran, but as was common at the time amongst disillusioned vets, he threw all his medals away. The one medal he saved and was proud of was the CIB (Combat Infantryman's Badge). Upon discharge from the Army, Bill moved to eastern Oregon and began a successful career as an auto mechanic and married Marlene. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of engines, guns and anything mechanical. Bill and Marlene moved to the Astoria area early in the 1980s and started a restaurant called Pancho Villas in Uppertown, Astoria, Oregon. By all accounts it was a very good Mexican restaurant, but his personal life was not going well. Soon the restaurant closed and Bill and Marlene were divorced. He was referred to the VA for help. Bill was reluctant to have anything to do with the VA, but in time

South Lincoln Co. Halloween events support worthy causes

Those who didn't find anything to do on Halloween in south Lincoln County weren't trying. In Libby, Rotary Club of Kootenai Valley Sergeant-at-Arms Zach McNew said they served up 600 hot dogs during the club's Trunk or Treat at the old high school. Also, the Libby House of Horrors raised more than $500 and donated 165 pounds of food to the Libby Food Pantry. In Troy, the Halloween Walk on the Track raised a total of at least $3,400. More than 600 people attended, which didn't include those who set up booths. Track committee volunteer and school board trustee vice chairperson Eric Storkson also spoke about the progress on the track project. "At the October school board meeting the board voted 5 in favor and 1 abstained (I abstained due to my close ties to this project over the last six years) to release the funds to the administration so they can begin requesting bids from local contractors to improve the track," Storkson said. "From the start, the track committee has been in pursuit of one thing, a flat, rubber-surfaced track." Caidyn Carey and Gunarr Vaughn enjoyed the hot dogs given out by the Rotary Club of Kootenai Valley during

Montana State Parks Foundation works to improve accessibility

BIGFORK, Mont. — The Montana State Parks Foundation is working to make Montana's outdoors more accessible, starting with improvements to the Harry Horn Trail at Wayfarers State Park on Flathead Lake. Crews recently cleared brush, widened and leveled sections of the trail and removed obstacles such as rocks and...

Hewankorn To Be Sworn In To CSKT Tribal Council

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Levi Hewankorn will be appointed to Tribal Council to replace the vacated seat for Pablo. Hewankorn was the other Pablo candidate in the CSKT General Election. A swearing-in ceremony is planned for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the regular Council meeting. Council passed this action Tuesday. Hewankorn...

Lake County Courthouse renovations underway

The Lake County Courthouse is undergoing a significant transformation, which sometimes leads to a little confusion. During a recent tour with Commissioner Gale Decker, an older woman stopped him to ask where she could register to vote. He directed her across the street to the Dave Stipe Annex, now home of the Lake County Election Office.

50 Years of Power. None of the Benefit.

Guest opinion submitted to The Montanian in response to “Libby Dam’s Generator Unit 6 Strengthens Reliability and Conservation,” October 21, 2026. This paper recently carried an account of the Unit 6 installation at Libby Dam, submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers. It is accurate, it is informative, and the engineering it describes deserves the respect it was given. Lincoln County has no quarrel with a single figure in it.

Tensions flare as Lakeside grants water usage to development

Following impassioned comments from an overflowing crowd Wednesday seeking a delay or outright denial of the agreement, the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District board approved a revised contract to provide water to planned resort development near Blacktail Mountain. The district board, on a vote of 4-1, agreed to provide water to the Territory 1889 subdivision to serve the first two phases of the development. The full project is expected to include 359 homes, along with commercial development and open space, on 1,700 acres in Lakeside. The major change to the agreement was to reduce the amount of water allocated to Territory 1889. The new agreement provides an allocation of 80 acre-feet per year as opposed to 125, for an annual rate of $52,160. During the first round of public comment, the board of directors drew the ire of residents who believed there had been insufficient notice given for the meeting and that the office was inadequate to host the large group. Hands were on hips as the fired-up crowd, comprised mostly of Lakeside residents over the age of 60, stared down the board. It rapidly got louder in the small space as community members and board members spoke over