Flathead Beacon Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Flathead Beacon
Listen here for all the latest news and information from around the Flathead Valley. Each week the Flathead Beacon Podcast takes a deep dive into the biggest stories in Northwest Montana. To read all of our coverage, free of charge, visit flatheadbeacon.com. Support our work by joining the Beacon Editor's Club at beaconeditorsclub.com.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
On June 12, the lawsuit Held v. State of Montana will go to trial in Helena's district court. In the lawsuit, brought by 16 youth plaintiffs from across Montana, allege that Montana, through its executive agencies, has knowingly approved projects and implemented policies that support a fossil-fuel based energy system that adds dangerous levels of greenhouse gas pollution to the atmosphere, contributing to climate change, damaging Montana’s environment and harming the state’s youth. The lawsuit is predicated on the Montana Constitution, written in 1972, which enshrines the right to a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations.
The Flathead Beacon has produced a comprehensive reporting package on the lawsuit's background, constitutional underpinnings and some of the young plaintiffs. All the reporting, including updates from the two-week trial that begins June 12, can be read at mtclimatecase.flatheadbeacon.com.
Later, Micah runs through the news of the week.
RELATED LINKS
Montana Youth Prepare for Trial in Bellwether Climate Case Against State
Who is ‘Held’ of Held v. State of Montana?
'To a Clean and Healthful Environment'
Temporary Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance Approved in Kalispell
Bear Injures Raft Guide Camping Along Middle Fork Flathead River
Waterton-Glacier Announces Reopening of Goat Haunt
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Northwest Montana has produced its fair share of singers and songwriters, including the indie-folk duo Big Sky City Lights, made up of Whitefish's Nick Spear and New York City's Susan O'Dea. The two met more than a decade ago, and during the pandemic began remotely writing and recording together. That remote relationship eventually turned into a full length album in 2021 and the duo is hard at work developing a new body of work that will become a second album. In addition, Big Sky City Lights will be touring this summer with a June 3 stop in Kalispell. Host Micah Drew spoke to Nick and Susan about their meeting in Whitefish, the effect living two timezones apart has on their creative process and how doing live shows has played into their newer music.
Later, Micah runs through the news of the week.
RELATED LINKS
Big Sky City Lights Looks Ahead to June Show at FVCC’s Wachholz Center
68th Montana Legislature Adjourns
Two Incumbents, One Newcomer Win Trustee Positions in Columbia Falls School Election
Kalispell Voters Retain One Incumbent Trustee, Pass Elementary and Reject High School Levy
Conservation District Appoints Hearing Officer in McDonald Creek Home Dispute
Follow Big Sky City Lights on Spotify, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Spring isn't normally thought of as election season, but in the education world it is. May 2 is election day for municipal elections in the Flathead Valley, including school board and school levy elections in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Whitefish and several other districts around the valley. Flathead Beacon reporter Denali Sagner joins host Micah to offer a preview of the various races that will show up on school ballots this spring.
Later, Micah runs through the news of the week.
RELATED LINKS
Kalispell School District No. 5 2023 Election: Voter Guide
Columbia Falls District No. 6 2023 Election: Voter Guide
Kalispell Public Schools to Hire Interim Superintendent
Columbia Falls City Council Rejects 7030 Highway 2 Residences Development
Kalispell Approves Property Acquisition Next to Parkline Trail
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Since the Montana constitution was crafted in 1972, there have only been 34 changes made to the state’s governing document, a rate of less than one per year. However over the last three months of the 68th legislative session, Montana Republicans have introduced a record 67 constitutional amendments. This week, Flathead Beacon reporter Denali Sagner wrote about the crossroads the state constitution is facing with multiple efforts, almost all unsuccessful, to alter it. To gain additional insight, host Micah Drew reached out to political analyst and director of the University of Montana School of Journalism Lee Banville, who joins the podcast to share some of his observations from the legislative session.
Later, Micah runs through the news of the week.
RELATED LINKS
A Constitution at a Crossroads
U.S. Census: Flathead County Adds Most Residents in Montana
Baseball Teams Face Delays, lingering Snow with Start of Inaugural Season
Gianforte Discusses Work-Based Learning at Kalispell Roundtable
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At 8 a.m. on March 15, Glacier National Park’s advance online reservation window opened to a groundswell of prospective backpackers eager to nab a prized wilderness campground permit. Within 10 minutes, however, the park’s most coveted campsites had filled, and the reservation window slammed shut on a host of highly sought-after multi-day itineraries.The new online system is part of a nationwide shift toward online, contact-less reservations to access outdoor spaces.
Will Rice, the head of the Wildland and Recreation Management Research Lab at the University of Montana uses social science to help wildland recreation managers improve the experiences of all visitors while preserving the ecosystems that support those experiences, and has published studies on different access strategies for recreation spaces like campgrounds. Dr. Rice joined host Micah Drew to talk about his research, how an online system can be exclusionary and what the solutions to managing access to popular outdoor spaces may look like in the future.
Later, Micah runs through the news of the week.
RELATED LINKS
March 29 E-Edition
Are Online Reservations the Key to Solving Montana’s Campground Crunch?
MDT Announces Roadway Safety Improvements Planned in Flathead County
Doctors Warn Abortion Bill Would Restrict Montana Obstetric Care
Glacier Symphony and Virtuoso Violinist Midori to Perform at McClaren Hall
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On May 23, 2007, with the newspaper industry in steep decline, the Flathead Valley awoke to an unlikely new resident: a 24-page tabloid called the Flathead Beacon. The weekly paper, owned by television personality and part-time Bigfork resident Maury Povich, has produced 823 issues over the last 16 years, and on March 28th, the final print issue of the Beacon will hit newsstands in the Flathead Valley.
However, the Flathead Beacon news organization isn't going away — it's shifting to a digital-only focus, with more, faster, and innovative ways of bringing breaking and in depth news to our readers. The Beacon will also retain a few print products in the form of its flagship magazine Flathead Living (on stands this week).
Beacon editor in chief Kellyn Brown joined the podcast to talk about the state of the news industry, the decision to stop printing the newspaper and what readers and supporters of the Flathead Beacon can expect from now on.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the news of the week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
March 22 E-Edition
After 16 Years Printing a Weekly Newspaper, Flathead Beacon to Switch to Online-Only Format
Amid Extensive Opposition, Bill to Ban Gender-Affirming Care for Minors Passes Second Reading in Montana House
Low-cost Airline Carrier to Offer Seasonal Direct Flight to Los Angeles
Summer Construction Projects will Cause Delays, Closures in Glacier National Park
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Republican Mark Racicot served as the 21st governor of Montana from 1993 to 2001 who then went on to lead the Republican National Committee and serve as chair of George W. Bush's reelection campaign in 2004. In recent years, however, Racicot has emerged as a vocal critic of the Republican Party's direction, and his opposition of Donald Trump and Trump-supporting Republicans, including U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke has drawn the ire of the Montana GOP. On Feb 16, the Montana Republican State Central Committee released a letter officially rebuking the former governor, and stating that he was no longer a member of the party and should not be considered as someone who speaks for the GOP. Beacon reporter Denali Sagner spent an afternoon with Racicot and shares some of her conversation with him about how politics has changed since he was involved and his reaction to being excommunicated from his party.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
March 1 E-Edition
The Party Faithful
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The 68th Montana legislature is in session planning out the budget for the next biennium and working to move of bills through the house and senate chambers each week. Today is the 25th day of this legislative cycle, with the session wrapping up at the beginning of May.
Flathead Beacon reporters Denali Sagner, Mike Kordenbrock and Maggie Dresser joined host Micah Drew to to talk about legislation they've been tracking throughout January and share updates to their reporting.
To find detailed information about bills, contact your local legislator or watch and listen to proceedings, visit www.leg.mt.gov/.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
February 1 E-Edition
Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Bill to Ban Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors
Columbia Falls Legislator Withdraws Mandatory Fetal Death Certificate Proposal After Extensive Pushback
Bill Seeks to Expand Sexual Assault Response Resources
‘We Are Losing Money Every Month’
New Medicaid Proposal Would Limit Abortion Access
Kalispell Senator’s Bill Seeks to Tighten Laws on Impact Fees
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On November 8, citizens across America will cast their ballots for local, state and national elections, except for those who have already voted by mail. In Flathead County, more than 22,000 voters have already submitted their ballots. Flathead Beacon managing editor Tristan Scott joined host Micah Drew to break down some of the races on the ballot and offer his insight into this year's midterm elections.
To check your voter status, visit the Montana My Voter page, or visit the Flathead County election office in Kalispell, where you can still register to vote until 8 p.m. on election day. If you have yet to cast a ballot, check out our election preview coverage online.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
November 3 E-Edition
2022 Midterm Election Guide
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In July, the nonprofit Quiet Parks International (QPI) acknowledged Glacier National Park with its Wilderness Quiet Park award, the first of its kind in North America. The award "reinforces the natural sounds educational efforts the park makes to distinguish the natural soundscape from noise, and the importance of the visitors' opportunity for that experience."
Host Micah Drew reported on this award over the last few months, and brings together some excerpted conversations with QPI co-founder Gordon Hempton, Wilderness Quiet Park director Matt Mikkelson, QPI sound recordist Nick McMahon and Quiet! Glacier founder Mary McClelland, who nominated Glacier for the award.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
September 9 E-Edition
A Quiet Park
Quiet Parks International
Quiet! Glacier
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week the Flathead Beacon published its annual Drinks Edition, where instead of a single in depth feature article, the staff brought together a package of thematically linked stories about various things that can be consumed via straw, glass or mug. Certainly the most striking piece was the subject of the Beacon's cover image: a bloody mary cocktail topped with a virtual bouquet of fried food.
Micah Drew brings Beacon staff writer Mike Kordenbrock and media director Hunter D'Antuono up to the podcast studio to tell the tale of two bloody marys from opposing sides of Flathead Lake, and how the story, and photos, came into being.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
August 18 E-Edition
Bloody Mary: 'A Blessing and a Curse'
Frozen Food Powered by the Sun
From Seed to Tea
Clever Flavor Combinations at Stone Hill Kitchen and Bar
Big Mountain Ciderworks
InciWeb Fire Information
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.
The weekend of July 22, three fatalities occurred in Glacier National Park. Two fatalities were 67-year-old Brian Kennedy and 67-year-old Jack Beard, who died in a climbing accident on Dusty Star Mountain. Both were long time climbers, adventurers and members of the Glacier Mountaineering Society. The third death was a hiker visiting from Florida.
These tragedies, along with a fourth hiking death earlier this year, show the risks of being in the back country, whether hiking, climbing or skiing, for any level of adventurer. From natural disasters, random accidents or simple mistakes, a day in the backcountry can take unexpected turns very quickly.
This week on the podcast, Micah Drew brings two stories of outings in Glacier National Park that went sideways, but ended with all parties home safely. These are the stories you always want to be able to tell if things go wrong — everyone’s okay in the end and they’re able to share their experiences and hopefully something can be learned from them. Both guests, Whitefish's Colton Born and Kalispell's Pete Heyboer were in Glacier Park the same weekend the three tragedies occurred.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
August 3 E-Edition
The Last Mountain
Latest on the Elmo Fire
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
"It has been in our hearts since we started that something would come to fruition in the Flathead, so it seems wild that everything fell together the way it did." ~Jeremiah Johnson
Two and a half years ago, the Flathead Valley’s oldest craft beer establishment in downtown Whitefish closed its doors, The only thing brewing inside the iconic building since then has been rumors.
Just this week however, the Blackstar Draught House reopened its doors in a new partnership with Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Co. to bring the taproom and restaurant back to life. Jeremiah Johnson himself took some time to chat with host Micah Drew about his ties to the valley, how long he’s wanted to open a brewpub in the area and what it took to finally realize that dream.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
July 20 E-Edition
Flathead Living Summer 2022
A Brewery Born Again
Community Group Grows Frustrated After KM Ranch Road Hearing Postponed
Planning Board Meeting on River Highlands Development to Take Place at Larger Venue
The Event Turns 21
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Summer is in full swing now that we’ve passed the Fourth of July holidays, and with that comes hordes of tourists, great weather for spending time on the lakes or hiking to a new mountaintop, and of course, the summer issue of Flathead Living Magazine.
The new issue of the magazine hit stands June 28, and so host Micah Drew tracked down Flathead Living managing editor Justin Franz in his Columbia Falls home last week to talk to him about the new issue. The interview was recorded on June 30.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
July 6 E-Edition
Flathead Living Summer 2022
Crews Continue to Clear Snow as Glacier’s Sun Road Prepares for Delayed Opening
Developer Seeks to Build 455 Units of Housing East of Columbia Falls
Library Board Appointment Sparks Backlash
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Temperatures are climbing back to a summer-like range after historic levels of rain and several inches of snow in the mountains earlier this week. With that summer feeling, host Micah Drew brings you the second part of our Meet the Intern series.
Denali Sagner hit the ground running last week when she showed up in Kalispell freshly graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. She got her first bylines in the Beacon writing about COVID restrictions in Glacier National Park and working with Micah and the two Beacon photographers on the Best of Preps issue this week. She chats about her journey to Montana and her goals for her journalistic future.
Links to Denali's work are linked below!
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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June 15 E-Edition
Lasting Scars — Denali Sagner in 34th Street
Legal Weed Means Higher House Values, Report Says— Denali Sagner for Philidelphia Magazine
Best of Preps: Spring 2022
Rain Dampens Field, Not Spirits at Inaugural Range Riders Opening Day
Tour Divide Cyclist Rescued in Glacier Park
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
It’s the first week of June which means summer is fast approaching, and to steal a phrase from Flathead Beacon managing editor Tristan Scott, :The best sign in the Zodiac is alighting on the horizon… Internicus."
This summer, the Beacon’s editorial team will be welcoming Twinterns, with both a print and a photojournalist set to join us in the newsroom.
Thursday was day one for our photojournalist intern, Sarah Mosquera, and she spent it up the North Fork with Tristan shooting a Bear Aware workshop, followed by photo editing boot camp with media director Hunter D’antuono before being whisked up to the podcast studio to talk about the journey she took to discovering her passion for photography and storytelling.
Links to Sarah's work are linked below!
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
June 1 E-Edition
Welcoming Them Home — Sarah Mosquera in Byline Magazine
A Bison Range Homecoming — Sarah Mosquera for Montana Free Press
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In 2020, legislation to return an 18,524-acre parcel of land in the middle of the Flathead Indian Reservation to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) was signed into law. Just over a year later, the Bison Range, along with the herd of 455 buffalo, returned to tribal management after 112 years. The tribes held a three day celebration to commemorate the restoration of the land and animals to their people.
Host Micah Drew spent two days at the celebrations listening to speeches, songs and prayers offered up for the occasions, and in this episode of the podcast he shares some of what he heard.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
RELATED LINKS
May 23 E-Edition
Return of the Buffalo
Fundraising to Save Farmland
Time to Get Wild
Farmers Markets Springing Back to Life
The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission. This episode also featured the "Victory Song" performed by members of the CSKT.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The old Flathead County Courthouse is the most iconic building in Kalispell, if for no other reason than everyone passing through the center of town has to drive in a circle around it. The courthouse building was constructed in 1905, and originally was built with an odd feature: the prominent clocktower never held a clock, just four blank holes, until 2015.
On the third floor of the courthouse lie the commissioners chambers and offices. Three commissioners, Pam Holmquist, Randy Brodehl and Brad Abell make up the elected government of the county, each serving staggered six-year terms.This year, Pam Holmquist’s second term is up, and while she running for re-election, three republican challengers are facing off against her in the primary. With no filed Democratic opponent, the June 7 primary winner will take a seat on the commission.
Host Micah Drew spent last week interviewing each candidate on their backgrounds and motivations for running, and he invited Flathead Beacon editor in chief Kellyn Brown to join me on the podcast to talk about the race.
Later in the show, Micah runs through some other news of the week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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May 11 E-Edition
County at a Crossroads
County Courthouse to Install Clocks in Tower
Dave Roemer Selected as Superintendent of Glacier National Park
Whitefish Adopts Ordinance Requiring Bear-resistant Garbage Cans
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Host Micah spend last weekend in Spokane Washington, where the Bloomsday run was returning to the streets after two years off due to the pandemic. Bloomsday, a 7.4 mile road race, is one of the largest events in the country, averaging more than 40,000 runners in pre-pandemic years.
In addition to getting to run himself, Micah was there to watch several runners from the Flathead compete in the elite division, including Bigfork High School graduate Makena Morley (2nd overall female, first American), Flathead High School graduate Zach Perrin (15th overall male), and Whitefish resident Jenn Lichter (8th overall, 4th American).
Makena and Jenn joined the podcast on Thursday to talk about about their experiences at Bloomsday and what this means for their running careers this year.
Later in the show, Micah runs through some other news of the week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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May 4 E-Edition
Bloomsday Results
Stretched Thin
Voters Elect Mumby, Cheff to Columbia Falls School Board
Kalispell Voters Reject School Levy, Retain One Incumbent
Incumbent Trustees Win Whitefish School Board Race
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
It’s an even numbered year this year, which means the election season in the fall will feature 435 races for the U.S. House of Representatives. Unique this year is that our state will play host to two different Congressional races, as Montana gained a U.S. House seat following the 2020 census. The new open seat has launched crowded primaries as both major parties seek the best candidate to send to the general election.
Flathead Beacon managing editor Tristan Scott attended both the Republican primary debate and Democratic candidate forum last week and broke them down in this week’s edition of the paper. He joined host Micah Drew on the podcast to give his hot takes on all those running and some inter-party divisions.
Later in the show, Micah runs through some other news of the week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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April 28 E-Edition
Congressional GOP Candidates Take Aim at Zinke
Democratic Congressional Hopefuls Converge on Kalispell
Voters To Choose From Among 6 Candidates for Columbia Falls School Board
Factions Emerge in Whitefish School Board Race
Two Incumbents, Four Newcomers Vie for Kalispell School Board Positions
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
This week the Flathead Beacon's annual music issue hit the stands. The featured stories focused on musical threads from a guide to Montana’s summer concerts and festivals to musician profiles to looking at Flathead high school’s new marching band uniforms. One profile, Confessions of a Serial Songwriter, was written by Flathead Beacon managing editor Tristan Scott and delved into the career of Whitefish-born singer-songwriter Izaak Opatz.
Izaak will be playing a release party for his new album, Extra Medium, in Missoula next Friday and he joined the podcast to talk about his inspirations, being a songwriter during COVID, and what his future holds.
Later in the show, Micah runs through some other news of the week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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April 20 E-Edition
Confessions of a Serial Songwriter
Whitefish Mountain Resort Closes Out Another Banner Year
Glacier Park Announces Changes to Sun Road Cycling, Campground Reservations
Flathead Valley Construction Fraudster Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Listening note: There were some technical difficulties near the middle of the show, so forgive the clipped audio transition.
"I realized really quickly that a mountain lion, the issues and the fear about them was a surrogate for human coexistence. That's where it was at. The science is fun and you get to be in discovery mode, but to move the needle on acceptance and coexistence... that's all about relationships." ~ JimWilliams, biologist/wildlife manager/regional supervisor with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.
After spending 25 years ascending the ranks with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, biologist Jim Williams retired as the Region 1 Supervisor, overlooking all aspects of the department in Northwest Montana. Jim's career has always been based around wildlife, working as a marine mammal trainer, an alligator wrestler and shark tamer, mountain lion researcher... you name it! Flathead Beacon managing editor Tristan Scott profiled Jim for his cover story "The Spaces Between" in this week' Flathead Beacon and Jim joined host Micah Drew to talk about the breadth and length of his career, and what he’s doing next, which certainly is not slowing down and truly retiring.
Later in the show, Micah runs through some other news of the week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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April 13 E-Edition
The Spaces Between
$1.5 Million Kalispell High School Levy Heads to Voters
Boston or Bust
Going-to-the-Sun Road Construction Slated to Begin in June
Bigfork High School Moves to Class A
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Three times a year, reporter and podcast host Micah Drew teams up with media director and photographer Hunter D'Antuono to produce the Best of Preps issue of the Beacon. The issue identifies some of the top athlete's from across the Flathead Valley and combines short vignettes about their accolades with "sportraiture" — artsy, creative studio photos imagined and executed by Hunter.
For the winter Preps issue, Hunter ordered several glass prisms to try and see how he could bend light and capture each athlete in a different, ethereal way. Hunter joined the podcast to talk about his creative process.
Later in the show, Micah runs through some other news of the week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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March 25 E-Edition
Best of Preps — Winter 2022
EPA Moves to End Asbestos Cleanup Along Montana Railroad
Glacier Raft Company Sells to Pursuit
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Ted Kacynski, known as the Unabomber, brought a lot of attention to the small town of Lincoln Montana during his high profile arrest in 1996 following a spree of bombings. Several documentaries, TV movies and shows have been inspired by Kazynski, but the latest film, 'Ted K', which had its North American premiere in Missoula in February, takes a different lens to the main character.
Tony Stone wrote, directed and produced Ted K, and earlier this week host Micah Drew spoke with him about his work in the film industry, what it was like bringing the story to life and how important Montana, and the town of Lincoln, was to the process.
Later in the show, Micah runs through the latest news of the week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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March 16 E-Edition
‘Ted K’ Brings Unabomber Back to Lincoln
First Units Completed at New High-end Apartments
Blacktail Mountain Joins ‘Powder Alliance’ Pass Program
Canada to Drop COVID Tests for Vaccinated Visitors
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Flathead Beacon Managing Editor Tristan Scott was in Missoula last week reporting on the sentencing of Matt Marshall, the CEO of Whitefish securities firm Amyntor Group, who conned venture capitalist Michael Goguen out of millions of dollars. Marshall pretended to be a former CIA agent engaged in covert missions around the world in order to convince Goguen to fund secret operations, but in reality ended up pocketing the money. On March 3, Marshall was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay $3.2 million dollars in restitution. Marshall was charged with wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion for a scheme that began back in 2013.
Tristan has been covering the Matt Marshall case for years, and joins the podcast to break down the story into audibly digestible nuggets for your consumption.
Later in the show, Micah runs through the latest news of the week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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March 9 E-Edition
Scheme to Defraud Goguen Nets Whitefish Man 6 Years in Federal Prison
Logan Health Notifies Patients of Data Breach That Affected Thousands of Montanans
Kalispell Man Sentenced to 100 Years in Prison for Killing his Wife
Lack of Staffing Could Force Closure of County Extension Office, Pause 4-H Programs
MHSA State Basketball Brackets
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from local singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Justin Franz, former Flathead Beacon intern, whose old desk host Micah now stands at, took over as editor of Flathead Living for the winter issue. He’s been in the Beacon office all week scribbling on printed pages, working with designers and overall haranguing staffers over their work.
Franz took a few moments to pop into the podcast studio to chat about the process of producing a magazine, what some of his highlights are for the upcoming issue and whether the magazine will arrive in a timely manner this time around. And trains. He always manages to talk about trains.
Later in the show, Micah runs through yesterday's breaking news.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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March 3 E-Edition
Flathead Living
Scheme to Defraud Goguen Nets Whitefish Man 6 Years in Federal Prison
Flathead Again Seeks Football Coach
A Locomotive for Kalispell
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from local singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
"There’s so many things in our society that have gotten homogenized. We eat the same French Fries, we drink the same Starbucks coffee exactly the same. We’re even starting to talk the same as you go to different parts of the country but housing is totally unique. The prices are different, the taxes are different, the style and availability are different and people don’t realize that until you start researching it." ~ Pat Barkey
For years, residents of the Flathead Valley have seen rising housing and rental prices as the area becomes more popular, a trend that was only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and work-from-home movement, which saw record growth in the area.
Pat Barkey, the director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana has been involved with economic forecasting and policy research for more than 30 years, and recently gave an economic outlook seminar in Kalispell that focused on the rippling effects of high housing costs. He joins host Micah Drew to talk about the trends seen in the Flathead as well as around the state, and breaks down some of the data from the most recent studies.
Later in the show, Micah runs through the latest news of the week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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February 23 E-Edition
The Rippling Effects of High Housing Costs
Solving the Housing Crisis
A Queen, A Writer, an Assassin and a Spy Walk onto a Whitefish Stage
Glacier Institute Takes Reins of Le Grizz Ultramarathon
Ben Perrin Sees Every Race as a Blessing
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from local singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Residents of the Flathead Valley have been treated to a decade of live New Wave 80s cover music performed on the regular by the band New Wave Time Trippers. Earlier this month, the band played their last public show in Whitefish as part of the festivities for this year’s Winter Carnival parade, which an aptly 80s themed affair.
The now former lead singer of the Time Trippers, Nick Spear, took some time out of his week to reminisce about the early days of the band and how they managed to stay relevant and bring excitement and energy to each show they’ve played since 2013.
Later in the show, host Micah Drew runs through the latest news of the week including an investigation into former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, new legislation aimed at helping overcrowded national parks and Flathead High School's continued dominance in wrestling.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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February 16 E-Edition
A New Wave Goodbye
Investigation: Zinke Misused Position as Interior Secretary
As Crowds Strain Gateway Communities to National Parks, Lawmakers Seek Solutions
Revamping the Hilton
Brave Brawlers Back to Back
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from local singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Just dropping by to let you know that starting this week, the Flathead Beacon Podcast will come out on Friday mornings.
That just means you have an extra two days to read the print issue of the Flathead Beacon, on stands today, and as always, keep up to date on the latest news from Northwest Montana at www.flatheadbeacon.com
The intersection of Big Mountain Road and East Lakeshore drive north of Whitefish has long been a staple in conversations about the city’s future. The intersection takes locals and visitors too and from Whitefish mountain Resort, and during ski season, the single blinking light often backs up traffic for hours.
Discussions over the intersection itself, as well as the surrounding land, have been at the heart of a months-long debate in the community over a large proposed development called the Gateway Mountain Development, that would set the stage for the construction hundreds of residential units as well as commercial properties. Reporter Mike Kordenbrock joins Micah to talk about the Whitefish City Council's Monday night five to one vote to reject the development.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Whitefish Council Votes Against Mountain Gateway Development
February 9 E-Edition
Library Foundation Director Resigns
California Woman Charged with Animal Cruelty Pleads Not Guilty
Estate of Longtime Whitefish Residents Behind Hospital Nonprofit’s Largest Gift Ever
Flathead Flying
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from local singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
For months, the ImagineIF Library board of trustees have been stirring up emotional responses from library staff and the public with a series of controversial votes that have lowered staff salaries, hired an unqualified new director and discussed changing library policies to facilitate the removal of a queer-themed book. These moves have led to lowered staff moral, the departure of three senior librarians including two directors, a loss of state funding and discussions over litigation.
Due to some technical difficulties, the interview between Micah and editor in chief Kellyn Brown is unable to be heard, but Micah still runs through the latest stories from the last week including new developments in the controversial Mountain Gateway development, this summer's Under the Big Sky lineup and what to watch for as the 2022 Olympics kick off in Beijing.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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February 2 E-Edition
Lone Pine State Park to Host Outdoor Education Programs
Opponents of Whitefish Housing Development Threaten to Pull Charitable Donations
Under The Big Sky Announces 2022 Festival Lineup
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from local singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Across the country there have been winter surges in COVID-19 cases, most related to the Omicron variant, and Montana is not immune. Flathead County is seeing the highest levels of hospitalizations and case numbers since the height of the delta-variant surge last fall and hospital staff are close to being overwhelmed. On Monday, the county health department's last situation update reported 222 new cases, 2701 active cases and 55 hospitalizations.
Reporter Mike Kordenbrock joins host Micah Drew to break down some of the latest COVID-19 numbers and what it means for residents.
Later, Micah runs through the latest stories from the last week including ongoing litigation over a nearby water bottling plant, the end of Whitefish's permanent recycling site, the approval of a new hotel in Kalispell and the new name for Flathead's professional sports team.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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January 26 E-Edition
Hospitalizations in Flathead County Nearing Delta Surge Numbers
Supreme Court to Determine Legality of Creston Water Bottling Plant
Whitefish to Permanently Close Recycling Site Jan. 31
Kalispell Council Approves Five-Story Downtown Charles Hotel
Flathead Valley Baseball Team Reveals Name, Logo
Flathead Living E-Edition
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from local singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
After an unexpected week off, host Micah Drew is back to discuss the new landscape of legal marijuana in Montana. After voters approved a measure to legalize the recreational drug in 2020, local dispensaries have been working on scaling up operations in anticipation of the increased market share. On New Year's Day, the first day of legal sales, local shops saw a 500% increase in traffic.
Reporter Maggie Dresser rehashes some of her reporting on the rollout of legal marijuana sales from last week. Later, Micah runs through some of the latest headlines from the last week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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January 12 E-Edition
January 19 E-Edition
Gravel Beach Proposed at New Somers Beach State Park
Health Department Continues to Face Test Shortage Amid Rising Cases, Hospitalizations
Whitefish Winter Carnival Bounces Back With 80s Theme
Voisin Qualifies for Third Olympic Team
Whitefish’s Sanderson to Play for U.S.; College Hockey Stars Eye Olympic Chance
Flathead Living E-Edition
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from local singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, The Good Ol' days You're In and Moment of Time, used with permission.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Today host Micah Drew chats with several members of the Flathead Beacon about the upcoming year. Starting next week, the Flathead Beacon Podcast will return to its usual format of bringing an in depth view of the latest news from around the Flathead V alley.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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January 5 E-Edition
Flathead Beacon
Flathead Living E-Edition
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features two songs from local singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, The Good Ol' days You're In and Moment of Time, used with permission.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Today host Micah Drew chats with Flathead Beacon Editor-in-Chief about the biggest trends affecting northwest Montana in 2021 and what stories he'll be paying attention to in the new year.
Later, Micah eschews the news of the week to read a collection of entries from the infamous Flathead Beacon Police Blotter. There's a good chance this will become a regular segment on the podcast next year. There will be no new episode next week, but from everyone here at the Flathead Beacon have a fun, festive holiday week and a happy new year!
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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December 22 E-Edition
Flathead Beacon
Police Blotter
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License,
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Today host Micah Drew shares a brief conversation with Flathead Beacon managing editor Tristan Scott about the latest changes announced for next summer's ticketed reservation entry system at Glacier National Park. Tristan has been covering the effects of the system since it was implemented this year, including overcrowding at lesser visited corners of the park, which officials hope to remedy next year.
Later, Micah runs through the latest stories from the last week including the retirement of northwest Montana's resident grizzly bear conflict specialist, updates on plans to replace two bridges near Bigfork, and the start of the winter prep sports season.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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December 15 E-Edition
Glacier National Park Unveils Details for 2022 Reservation System
Two Bigfork Bridges to be Replaced
Trailblazing Grizzly Conflict Specialist to Retire
Flathead Wrestlers off to Strong Start
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License,
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Once again another issue of Flathead Living Magazine, the new winter edition, is on its way from the printer and will be hitting stands soon. The magazine, which was helmed by former Flathead Beacon managing editor Myers Reece for a number of years, has a new editor, former Beacon staff writer Justin Franz. As the winter issue is almost ready for reading, Justin joins the podcast to talk about his years working on the magazine as a writer, why he loves the magazine format and some of the highlights of the new issue.
Later, Micah runs through the latest stories from the last week including the resignation of the interim library director, the temporary head of Glacier National Park, a successful kids vaccination clinic and staffing shortages among snowplow drivers.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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December 8 E-Edition
Flathead County Library Director Resigns Amid Board Meddling
Glacier Park Names Acting Director
Health Department Hosts Mass Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at Fairgrounds
Snowplow Staffing Shortage Could Impact Roadways
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License,
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Several weeks ago, host Micah Drew sat down with founding Flathead Beacon member and former managing editor Myers Reece to talk about his departure from the paper, memories from his nearly 14 year tenure with the paper and his next career move to Portland, Oregon.
Later, Micah runs through the latest stories from the last week including the end of the hunting season, an effort to change derogatory place names across the country and a tease of the winter issue of Flathead Living Magazine.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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December 1 E-Edition
Montana's General Hunting Season Wraps Up
Flathead County Harbors Last Derogatory Place-Names in Montana
From Speed Queen to Head Coach
Best of Preps Fall 2020
Underscore
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License,
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Flathead Beacon has welcomed a new staff reporter, Mike Kordenbrock, who joins the newsroom after a seven-year stint with the Billings Gazette. Mike joins podcast host Micah Drew to chat about his start as a journalist, the transition from a daily to a weekly paper and what' he's excited about as a member of the Beacon newsroom.
Later, Micah runs through the latest stories from the last week including the end of the football season, increased needs at local food banks and the vote that derailed a proposed development on Big Mountain Road.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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November 24 E-Edition
High Holiday Demand at Flathead Valley Food Banks
Whitefish Planning Board Votes Against Mountain Gateway Development
Vikings Fall in Title Game
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License,
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The fight over abortion access has been playing out in statehouses and courts across the country in recent months, including high profile cases such as a Texas law that bans abortions after six weeks while letting regular citizens carry out enforcement. Here in Montana, the Republican controlled legislature held its first session in 16 years without the threat of a Democratic governor’s veto, and passed several laws restricting abortion access in the state.
Beacon Staff Writer Maggie Dresser wrote about the battle over access in this week's cover story, and sat down with host Micah Drew to discuss her reporting.
Later, Micah runs through the latest stories from the last week including record breaking visitation in Glacier National Park, updates on local COVID-19 cases, a controversial library book and the return of the Brawl of the Wild.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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November 17 E-Edition
Glacier National Park Shatters Visitation Record for September
Flathead County Reports Fewer COVID-19 Cases as Hospitalizations Remain High
Public Library Receives Formal Complaints About Two Books
The Brawl is Back
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License,
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
“Stories are everywhere and we have two ears so I’m plugged into what's happening and helping people share their stories.” ~ Skye Lucas
Every year the Flathead Beacon gets to work with a bright young student from the University of Pennsylvania, part of a program our owner, Maury Povich, began with his alma mater. This summer we were joined by the recently graduated Skye Lucas.
Following her initial three months at the Beacon, Skye stayed on to work with us for the fall but will be leaving the newsroom at the end of this week. Skye joins the podcast to talk about her time in Montana, a few of her favorite stories to work on and what she thought of being a fully fledged reporter for the last few months.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the latest stories from the last week including the retirement of Glacier National Park's superintendent, the reopened Canadian border and the the Griz soccer team, which features two Flathead Valley locals on its roster, winning another conference title.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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November 10 E-Edition
Glacier Park Superintendent Jeff Mow to Retire
Border Reopened to Vaccinated Travelers
Montana Wins Big Sky Soccer Tournament
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License,
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“It’s just the game you know. It can be so cruel sometimes. It’s a beautiful struggle and we love the game because it tests you on so many different levels. The game itself, the sport, the season, this journey teaches these kids so much about the things they’ll be facing in life.” ~ Glacier soccer coach Ryan Billiet.
Last weekend saw the culmination of yet another fall sports season as the state soccer championships played out across the state. The Class A and Class AA Boys both featured teams from the Flathead Valley. In Class A, the championship was a rematch of last year with Whitefish and Columbia Falls taking the field up in Whitefish and the Bulldogs coming out victorious.
In the Double A final, the Glacier Wolfpack returned to the championships for the second time in program history to face two-time reigning champion Hellgate down in Missoula. That game played out over 99 minutes, taking two overtime periods before there was finally a break in the stellar defense and goalkeeping to give Hellgate a third straight title and send the Wolfpack home with a second place trophy.
Glacier coach Ryan Billiet joins host Micah Drew to talk about the years of work that brought the Wolfpack to the state final, how the match played out and the graduating members of his team.
Later, Micah runs through the latest stories from the last week including a report listing COVID-19 as the state's third leading cause of death, updates on Montana's redistricting commission and the upcoming tourism town hall.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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November 3 E-Edition
Glacier Country Tourism to Host Town Hall
Montana Commission Delays Choosing Congressional Districts
New Report Lists COVID-19 as Third Leading Cause of Death in Montana
Whitefish Wins Record Fourth Straight Soccer Championship
Whitefish Municipal Election Results
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License,
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Northwest Montana is full of outdoor adventurers taking on all sorts of endeavors through the mountains in all seasons. Among the myriad of stories swapped over brews or coffee, some just happen to stand out, such as those told about alpinist Jason Robertson. Over the last 25 years, Jason has been quietly pursuing the most challenging routes up all 234 of Glacier National Park’s listed summits, ascending many of them solo and in winter.
Flathead Beacon managing editor Tristan Scott spent a day with Jason in the mountains last month and wrote about him and his feats for this week’s cover story in the Beacon. Tristan sat down with host Micah Drew to talk about his day with Jason and share some of his tales among Montana's peaks.
Later, Micah runs through the latest stories from the last week including a recent hearing over a controversial Whitefish development, proposed regulations on Flathead Lake's islands, petition attempting to recall the members of the Whitefish School District Board of Trustees, and some updates on prep sports.
Coming up, be on the lookout for a bonus episode of the Flathead Beacon Podcast that will feature a farewell conversation with outgoing managing editor Myers Reece, who's last day at the Beacon was this week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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October 27 E-Edition
Emotions Run High at Mountain Gateway Development Hearing
With Recreation on the Rise, FWP Proposes New Rules on Flathead Lake Islands
Petitioners Attempt Recall of Whitefish School Board
Kats Cruise to Cross Country Championships
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Halloween is looming at the end of the calendar month which means it’s almost time for the 2021 election cycle.
As an off- off year in elections, it’s easy to overlook this year’s vote without a presidential candidate, congressional candidates or state legislators on the ballot, but municipal races throughout the county will directly shape policies in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Whitefish and the surrounding areas as the county continues to grow. Staff reporter Maggie Dresser joins the podcast to talk about the races for Kalispell city council and the mayors race.
Coming up, be on the lookout for a bonus episode of the Flathead Beacon Podcast that will feature a farewell conversation with outgoing managing editor Myers Reece, who's last day at the Beacon was this week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Fire Reported in Patrick Creek Area
Three Montana School Districts Go Virtual or Close Due to COVID
Longtime Blackfeet Chief, Cultural Steward, Dies at 92
Columbia Falls Landowners Sue DEQ Over New Subdivision
Local Runners Keen to Add to Flathead’s Winning Tradition
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This week the Flathead Beacon staff put together an issue dedicated to the arts, focusing on stories about artists, musicians and writers in the Flathead Valley. Host Micah Drew takes some time to run through several of the features of the issue before rounding up the latest stories from the last seven days including the vote on the Whitefish resort tax, the closure of Going-to-the-Sun Road and Kalispell's rules on marijuana dispensaries.
Coming up, be on the lookout for a bonus episode of the Flathead Beacon Podcast that will feature a farewell conversation with outgoing managing editor Myers Reece, who's last day at the Beacon was this week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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October 13 E-Edition
Voters to Decide Whitefish Resort Tax Renewal on Nov. 2
Weather Closes Alpine Access to Glacier Park as Services Shutter for Winter
Kalispell Restricts Marijuana Operations to Industrial Zones
Whitefish Mountain Resort CEO Announces Upcoming Retirement
Ace Powell's Last Painting and Enduring Legacy
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Montana is home to a number of heritage apple orchards that have been producing fruit for decades, even going back to the early 1900s. Many of the oldest orchards are remnants of old homesteads when trees were planted for sustenance, while some go back to early commercial operations.
The Kalispell orchard planted by Rod McIver is only 23 years old, but is the largest collection of fruit trees and apple varieties in the state. Rod started his home orchard project in 1997 to feed his love for gardening and the natural world and he operates it as part experiment, part commercial operation, with the dual purposes of searching for apple varieties that thrive in Montana’s climate and selling trees to the public to offer the every day fruit consumer a wider variety of fresh options.
Host Micah Drew spent hours at the orchard over the past weeks and McIver talked about his favorite fruits and some of the history of his project.
Later, Micah runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a new conservation project near Bigfork, updates on Flathead County's COVID-19 stats, the results from the state golf tournaments and more.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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October 6 E-Edition
COVID-19 Vaccines, Including Boosters, Offered Weekly at Fairgrounds
Swan Conservation Collaboration Yields New Trails, Wards Off Development
7 Passengers on Derailed Train Sue Amtrak, BNSF Railway
Area Code Needed for Local Montana Calls Starting This Month
Valley Golfers Wrap up Season at State
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At the end of each month, the Flathead Beacon runs a series of business pieces focusing on a different economic sector each month. For September, Flathead Beacon business reporter Maggie Dresser dove into the agricultural community in the Flathead Valley to examine how the selloff of farmland to developers is impacting the rural economy, as well as what the hot summer meant for crops in the area.
Later, Micah runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a proposed hotel in downtown Whitefish, updates on Libby's Superfund site, a recent Amtrak derailment and more.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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September 29 E-Edition
Selling the Farm
Planning Board Endorses Whitefish Hotel Proposals
Great Fish Community Challenge Sets New Fundraising Record
EPA Deletes Portion of Superfund Site from National Priorities List
Investigators Probe Deadly Amtrak Derailment in Montana
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The Flathead Valley has been rocked by the deaths by suicide of two high school aged kids that were reported in the last two weeks. These marked the seventh and eighth deaths by suicide in the high school age group in the area in the last year and a half. Flathead Beacon assistant managing editor Tristan Scott joins host Micah Drew to talk about his coverage of the recent tragedies and how the community is working to enhance suicide prevention awareness.
Later, Micah runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the contract negotiations at Logan Health, the retirement of the Flathead County fairgrounds manager, and a wrap up of Glacier National Park's ticketed entry system.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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September 22 E-Edition
Logan Health Nurses Ratify First Union Contract
Flathead County Fairgrounds Manager Retires
Glacier Reports Reservation System Helped Blunt Traffic Spikes on Sun Road
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It's once again time for another issue of Flathead Living to hit the stands. After a hectic week of compiling and editing the latest issue, magazine editor Myers Reece joins host Micah Drew to give an overview of the fall issue and highlight some of his favorite features readers can dig their teeth into this season.
Later, Micah runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a growing number of bear conflicts in the area, valley-wide bus driver shortages, and a plan to curtail aerial tours in Glacier National Park.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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September 15 E-Edition
A Fed Bear
School Districts Continue Scrambling for Bus Drivers
Glacier Park Unveils Plan to Phase Out Aerial Sightseeing Tours
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The 2021-22 school year has started and Flathead Valley public school districts have been solidifying their COVID-19 policies for months in preparation. By Federal law, students in all districts are required, whether vaccinated or not, to wear face coverings on public transportation, which includes school and activity buses. Beyond that, however, districts have some leeway to draft their own policies which has led to a patchwork of guidelines across the valley. All districts are encouraging, but not requiring COVID-19 vaccinations, as just over a quarter of children ages 12-17 in Flathead County had received at least one dose.
Meanwhile, Kalispell Public Schools is moving forward with phase three of its COVID plan which strongly encourages face coverings but does not mandate them for any grade levels.
KPS superintendent Micah Hill joined the podcast today to talk about his thoughts on the district's policy, how schools stayed open last year, and his level of optimism for this school year.
Later, Micah runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a body found in the Flathead River, upcoming memorial services for 9/11, and the historic win by the Griz last weekend.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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September 8 E-Edition
Unidentified Remains Found in Flathead River
9/11 Remembrance Services to be Held in the Flathead
No. 20 Washington Humbled by Stunning Loss to Montana
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While the attention of the sporting world has shifted to the fall football season and the start of a number of high school sports, some athletes are still reminiscing about and processing their experiences competing at the highest level of sport: the Olympic Games.
Whitefish has an elite club of Olympic athletes that can be counted on a single hand. Nicole Heavirland competed for Team USA in Rugby Sevens, after going to the 2016 Rio Games as a reserve. Nicole joins to the podcast to talk about her experience in Tokyo, how she and her team handled an early exit from the tournament and what it means to have a supportive community in Montana.
Later, Micah runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the latest mussel-infested boat interception, a new Montana rule regarding mask wearing in public schools, more Flathead County deaths from COVID-19 and the the largest philanthropic donation in Montana state history.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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September 1 E-Edition
Mussel Fouled Boat Intercepted En Route to Kalispell
Montana Rule Urges Schools to Give Parents Say on Masks
Flathead County Reports Nine Additional COVID-19 Deaths
Texas Power Couple with Flathead Ties Gifts $101 Million to MSU Nursing Program
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The weather is starting to feel like fall and once again it is time for Friday night lights to bring fans to football stadiums across Montana. High school football kicks off this weekend and there are exciting storylines across the Flathead Valley, including the new coach at Flathead High School and the strongest kid in the country, Jake Rendina, getting ready for his final season under the lights for the Glacier Wolfpack.
To dive deeper into the world of prep football host Micah Drew talked to Anthony Nachreiner the former Voice of the Braves and KGEZ radio host who currently hosts the Nach On Sports Podcast which focuses on Double A football even though he now lives in Florida. Anthony shares his thoughts on who the best teams are in the state and breaks down the Flathead Braves and the Glacier Wolfpack ahead of their first games this weekend.
Later, Micah runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including record COVID hospitalizations, Montana's new wolf hunting regulations, the Kalispell city budget and the success of the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo.
Anthony Nachreiner can be heard ever week on The Nach On Sports Show Podcast.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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August 25 E-Edition
Divided State Wildlife Commission Expands Wolf Hunting, Trapping Regulations
Kalispell Approves $104 Million Budget
Officials Declare Fair a Rousing Success
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Flathead County has seen a drastic increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks, including 42 hospitalizations on Aug. 17, breaking the single-day record set last November during the pandemic’s peak. Logan Health reports its adult acute-care capacity has been exceeded and that the current surge in cases, driven by the highly infectious Delta variant, has likely yet to hit its peak.
Flathead Beacon managing editor Myers Reece routinely talks with local hospital and health department officials to stay updated status of the virus in the valley and joined host Micah Drew to share the latest statistics and worries from around the valley.
Later, Micah runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including new COVID-19 restrictions on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, the Flathead's new minor league baseball team and Waterton-Glacier's joint status as a fully certified International Dark Sky Park.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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August 18 E-Edition
Hot Smoky Conditions Persist as Cold Front Approaches
Blackfeet Nation Enacts Mask Mandate
Flathead Valley Gains Minor League Baseball Team
Star Light Star Bright
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Every year the Flathead Beacon features its annual drink issue, where reporters are out into the valley to find most interesting stories about coffee, spirits, wine and anything else that can be enjoyed in a cup, glass or mug.
This year's Drinks Issue includes a look at Montana Coffee Traders, Portal Spirits Distillery, the history behind Boba Tea and profiles cocktail creator who designed the menus at Abruzzo, Tupello Grill and Jalisco Cantina. In addition, staff writer Maggie Dresser previews the state's inaugural wine festival which will take place in Columbia Falls this weekend.
To dive deeper into the world of wine, sommelier Jacob Eubank joins host Micah Drew to talk about the upcoming festival, provide his take on the local wine scene and offer up some suggestions for summer sipping.
Later, Micah runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including rising COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, the effect last weekend's rain had on the fires in the region, and the new home of the Glacier Queer Alliance.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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August 11 E-Edition
Cool, Damp Weather Slows Wildfire Growth
Coronavirus on the Rise in Montana as Vaccinations Lag
Glacier Queer Alliance Opens Community Resource Center
Mid-year Report Shows Boom in State Park Visitors
Jacob Eubank can be found online at https://vinumunicornis.com/ and on Instagram here.
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A small fire ignited northeast of Polson on Saturday afternoon, July 31, and became erratic on Saturday night as high winds stoked the flames and pushed the fire toward Highway 35 and Flathead Lake's eastern shore. The Boulder 2700 wildfire tore across the highway near mile marker 10 and blazed south, burning up the lakeside homes in its path.
One resident from Finley Point, journalist Amanda Grennell, was woken up just after midnight when the power in her house went out. She and her family left their home a little before three a.m. as mandatory evacuations were beginning. Amanda joined host Micah Drew to talk about leaving her home in the middle of the night, watching flames tear down the hillside and what it was like at the evacuation center.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including rising COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, the new soccer coach at Glacier High School, and the latest in the ongoing legal battle over the Bridge to Nowhere.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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August 5 E-Edition
Flathead’s July COVID Surge Marked by Six Deaths, Steeply Rising Hospitalizations
Heavirland, Rugby Sevens Team Finish Sixth in Olympic Tournament
Glacier High School Hires Damion Blackburn as Girls Soccer Coach
New Chapter in North Shore Bridge Standoff
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Catch up on the biggest stories from the last seven days in this week's mini-episode, including news on this year's cherry harvest, the continued increase in COVID--19 cases and hospitalizations and updates on fire restrictions and the blaze near Polebridge.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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July 28 E-Edition
Flathead Cherry Growers Optimistic as Harvest Gets Underway
Flathead Search and Rescue ‘Strapped for Resources’
COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Continue Spiking in Flathead County
Fire Managers Impose Severe Restrictions Across Northwest Montana
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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Every summer the Flathead Beacon strives to bring interns to the newsroom in order to help mentor the next generation of journalists. Last year, COVID-19 lockdowns prevented the Beacon from bringing an intern on, but this summer we are happy to host not one, but two recent college graduates at the start of their careers. Editorial intern Skye Lucas joins the podcast to talk about moving to Montana and jumpstarting her career as a journalist.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including newly implemented fire restrictions across northwest Montana, the rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Flathead County, the new south corridor plan in Whitefish and this weekend's Event at Rebecca Farm.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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July 21 E-Edition
Strict Fire Restrictions Implemented Across Northwest Montana
Flathead County Sees Rise in COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations
Whitefish Unveils South Corridor Plan for Public Review
The Mane Event Returns
The First Fosbury
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“There isn't some kind of like hokey stage off to the side called like 'the local showcase' or something. They really do include us as a really valuable part of the festival, which means a lot and I think says a lot about our local music scene.” ~ Kalispell singer/songwriter Mike Murray
Kalispell singer-songwriter Mike Murray is one of the many local artists that will be taking the stage at this weekend’s Under the Big Sky music festival. Since last year’s festival was canceled, this will only be the second year of Under the Big Sky but it is set to be quite literally the biggest event of the summer. Organizers are expecting roughly twenty thousand attendees for both Saturday and Sunday nights, in addition to a smaller crowd on Friday.
The festival is headlined by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Tyler Childers, but organizer Johnny Shockey places a high priority on local acts, such as 20 Grand, Hannah King, and of course, Mike Murray. He joined me today to talk about his experience playing the festival in 2019, his recent records and what he’s looking forward to this weekend.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the Glacier Institute's new Going-to-the-Sun Road Day Programs, construction updates along the Highway 93 bypass, and U.S. Senator Jon Tester's work negotiating a bipartisan infrastructure bill.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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July 14 E-Edition
Glacier Institute Offers New Educational Program, Shuttles
MDT to Study Basecamp Drive, U.S. Highway 93 Intersections on Kalispell Bypass
Whitefish Community Foundation Awards $15,000 for Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project
Proposed Rules to Reduce Wolves Fuels Debate
Tester Touts Work on Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
The music in this this episode is "Western Sky" by Mike Murray, used with permission, and “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License,
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“They're left asking questions with a very rudimentary grasp of what the section of the park holds, and it's a wild chunk of country up the North Fork.” ~ Flathead Beacon assistant managing editor Tristan Scott
Glacier National Park covers nearly a million acres of land, and yet there are only six entrances that lead to the interior. Three connect to the iconic, 50-mile long Going-to-the-Sun Road, which bisects the park between West Glacier and St. Mary. On the eastern side, entrances at Two Medicine and Many Glacier off visitors access to some of the most picturesque spots in the Park and here on the Western side, the alternative to the Going-to-the-Sun is a primitive entrance, twenty miles north of West Glacier in Polebridge.
With a ticketed reservation system in place to access Going-to-the-Sun Road, many potential visitors have funneled to the less obvious Park entrances, oftentimes unprepared for a different park experience than driving a scenic bypass. Last week, assistant Managing editor Tristan Scott spent a day in Polebridge to get a read on how rangers, business owners and visitors were handling the record numbers of newcomers.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the continued spread of COVID-19 among unvaccinated individuals, preliminary discussions among Kalispell city officials about marijuana dispensary zoning, a proposed new conservation easement near Libby and a fatal grizzly attack.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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July 7 E-Edition
Off the Grid and Overrun
Flathead County’s Unvaccinated Population Continues to Feel Impact of COVID-19
Kalispell Considers Marijuana Dispensary Zoning Options
27,000 Acres of Timberland Slated for Conservation Near Libby
Grizzly Bear Attacks, Kills Camper in Western Montana
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“Why I love it so much is being able to getting to know all kinds of different people from all kinds of walks of life who have all kinds of histories and experiences that they bring to the stuff they’re doing now and it's been a real treat getting to know and tell the stories of so many wonderful people in the Flathead Valley.” ~ Beacon staff writer Andy Viano
The Flathead Beacon Podcast began in March 2020 as a daily update on the state of affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May it transitioned to a weekly format where host Andy Viano expanded the show from a weekly news recap into a deeper dive behind the Flathead Beacon cover story each week.
For the last year, Andy has gone beyond the cover story, talking to reporters, sources, and key characters to give listeners a deeper understanding of the issues the Beacon writes about. Sadly, Andy is leaving the staff of the Beacon and will be officially handing over podcasting duties to host Micah Drew, while turning his beat over to a yet-to-be-discovered talented reporter who will have some enormous shoes to fill. Andy joins the show today as a farewell to all his listeners and reminisce about his years with the Beacon.
Later, Micah runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, the rebranding of North Valley Hospital, the $50 million plan to clean up contamination at the former home of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company and Bigfork native Makena Morley's race at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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June 30 E-Edition
Going-to-the-Sun Road Fully Opens for Summer
North Valley Hospital to Rebrand as Logan Health Whitefish
EPA Approves Final Cleanup Study at CFAC Superfund Site as Trial Over Legal Responsibility Begins
Priced Out
Trials of (Hot) Miles
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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It’s a commonly used phrase in the world of media: A picture is worth a thousand words. Photographs have the ability to capture stories, actions and emotions in a single frame. It’s possible to take a quick glance at an expertly shot photo and get the essence of the 900-word story it accompanies.
The cover story in this week's Flathead Beacon is about a photo collection by the late Ed Gilliland that will be preserved at the Northwest Montana History museum and in an online archive. The enormous collection illuminates corners of Flathead Valley’s history that are rarely seen by the public — from the town of Demersville in the late 1800s to travels through Glacier National park in the early 1900s, to Whitefish parades in the 1960s to documentation of the Hungry Horse Dam construction and everything in between. To talk about the importance of photo collections, Flathead Beacon media director Hunter D'Antuono joins the podcast and discuses his role as the Beacon photographer, his relationship with documenting the world around him and his thoughts on the 10,000 photos that are part of Gilliand's legacy.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a request by republican governors to release census data, record visitation in Glacier National Park and Glacier Park International Airport and an ongoing controversy about the management of a dispersed camping site near Blankenship Bridge that recently went viral after a bus drove into the river.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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June 23 E-Edition
15 GOP Governors Urge Release of Census Data
Glacier National Park Sees Year-to-date Record Visitation Through May
Glacier Park and Airport Return to Record-Setting Traffic
Planning Board Tables North Fork Text Amendment
Stuck Bus Reignites Camping Controversy at Flathead River Site
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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In 2013, The Flathead Beacon expanded it’s presence beyond the weekly newspaper when the company purchased Flathead Living, a glossy quarterly magazine. The magazine allows regular staff writers of the newsroom to expand their writing prowess with feature stories fro around northwest Montana and it also engages with a talented group of freelance writers, photographers, columnists and designers. The seasonal publication is free, just like the weekly paper and the summer edition of Flathead Living is being printed as we record and will hit stands in the near future.
This week, Flathead Living editor Myers Reece sat down with host Micah Drew reminisce about the early years of putting out a magazine, the process of outlining one hundred pages of content and some of his favorite pieces in the upcoming summer issue.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a proposal to boost radio and cellphone service in Glacier National Park, resistance to President Biden's nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management and a collaborative program between Columbia Falls High School and Glacier Park to give students construction experience by building employee housing.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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June 16 E-Edition
Flathead Living Summer 2021 E-Edition
Glacier National park Considers Radio, Cell Signal Upgrades
Tester Urges State Department to Tackle Transboundary Water Pollution
Biden Nominee Linked to 1989 Sabotage Draws Republican Ire
Glacier's Kenzie Williams Wins Gatorade Player of the Year Award
Building Housing for Park Employees While Building Opportunities for Students
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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Northwest Montana is made up of a patchwork of public land in the form of national parks, national forests, BLM and state land, and private land owned by large timber companies and individuals land owners. For decades, handshake agreements with timber companies have allowed the public to access swaths of land for recreation and hunting. In January, billionaire couple Mark and Robyn Jones became one of the biggest private landowners in Flathead County following a 126,000 acre purchase west of Flathead Lake, which prompted an emotional response from the regions hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation community. The Joneses say the purchase is a family legacy investment, without intention to develop the parcels, but the possibility of restricted land access still has recreational users on edge.
This week, Flathead Beacon assistant managing editor Tristan Scott sat down with the Joneses to talk about their properties in the Flathead Valley, their vision for the future, and the work they’ve done to assuage the fears of locals.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including record setting visitation at Montana state parks, vaccination clinics at local breweries and limited operations at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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June 9 E-Edition
Meet the Joneses
Montana State Parks On Pace for Record Visitation
Health Department to Host Vaccination Clinics at Breweries
Biden Nominee for Public Lands Boss Hits GOP Opposition
Whitefish Mountain Resort Scales Back Operations Due to Staffing Shortages
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Memorial Day Weekend serves as the unofficial kickoff to the summer season, with an extra holiday off of work for many people offering an excuse to take off on camping trips, enjoy some lake days or just get some well-earned rest and relaxation. This year, it was the first weekend of the newly instated ticketed entry system at Glacier National Park as well as the start of summer operations up on Big Mountain. There’s a lot of changes happening in the area this summer and the expectation is record breaking visitation. This week, the Flathead Beacon offers up a guide to navigating summer, and editor-in-chief Kellyn Brown will join the podcast to talk about the holiday weekend, what’s on deck for summer events and what paths less traveled you can take to avoid the biggest crowds.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a new species of fish discovered in northwest Montana lakes, the decision by nurses at Logan Health to go on strike this week, and a recap of a weekend full of high school state championships.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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June 2 E-Edition
Rare Native Fish Species Discovered in Two Northwest Montana Lakes
Logan Health Nurses Authorize Three-Day Unfair Labor Practice Strike
Work Begins on Kalispell's Parkline Trail
To the Winner's Go the Spoils
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Catch up on the biggest stories from the last seven days in this week's mini-episode, including news on an impending nurses strike, an update on plowing progress on Going-to-the-Sun Road and a fatal drunk driving crash that killed a 15-year-old girl.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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May 26 E-Edition
Logan Health Nurses Deliver Strike Notice
Plows Reach Logan Pass in Glacier Park
Hungry Horse Dam Visitor Center to Reopen
Whitefish Woman Charged with Striking, Killing Teenage Pedestrian
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In November, 2020, Montana voters approved a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21. After a month of deliberation, the Montana legislature finally passed a bill carrying out the voters’ will, but it was not without contention. This week, the Flathead Beacon cover story, The New Frontier of Legal Marijuana, takes a look at how the legislature shaped the law that will implement recreational adult-use cannabis. Podcast hosts Micah Drew and Andy Viano sit down to discuss the nuances of the law, how it differs from what voters approved last year, and what can be expected for future cannabis users.
Later, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a group of cyclists trapped by an avalanche on Going-to-the-Sun Road, the new judge set to join Montana's 11th district court in 2023, and Kalispell's new city budget.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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May 19 E-Edition
Avalanches Trap Cyclists on Going-to-the-Sun Road
Flathead County to Receive Additional District Court Judge in 2023
Kalispell Proposes $104 Million Budget
Average Streamflows Expected in Northwest Montana
Music Through the Ages
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Flathead Beacon staff writer Andy Viano joins the show as a guest to talk a drastic rise in officer involved shootings in the Northwest Montana over the last year. Four separate confrontations involving law enforcement have ended in a shooting that left a suspect dead. So far no internal or criminal investigations have revealed any wrongdoing by law enforcement, but the four cases are reflected in a rise in officer-involved deaths statewide in recent years.
Later in the show, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a delay in a North Fork road improvement project, the Montana University System's proposed policy to allow concealed weapons on college campuses, and the rate at which reservation tickets to access Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road this summer are selling out.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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May 12 E-Edition
A Matter of Life and Death
North Fork Road Maintenance Project Delayed
Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project Closes Funding Gap
Montana Universities Eye Plan for Students to Carry Guns
Demand Outweighs Availability as Glacier Park Debuts Ticketed Entry
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Flathead Beacon Editor in Chief Kellyn Brown joins the show to talk about the results of the 2020 census, which made Montana the first ever state to regain a seat in the House of Representatives after losing a seat in 1990. Starting with the 2022 election, Montana's at large congressional district will be split in two, prompting speculation about where the line will be drawn and who might run for the office.
Later in the show, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a contractor indicted on 12 counts of wire fraud and money laundering, a reminder that all county residents age 16 and up are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and a push by the Evergreen Community Partners to construct sidewalks along key school routes.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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May 5 E-Edition
Redrawing District Lines
Contractor Indicted by Grand Jury on 12 Counts of Wire Fraud, Money Laundering
Flathead County Urging Residents who Want Vaccine to Sign Up Now
Evergreen Community Partners Seeks Grant for Sidewalks
State to Dismiss Murder Charges Against Woman Who Killed Ex-Husband After Attempted Rape
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Flathead Valley Community College Running Start Academic Coordinator Shelley Eberhardy joins the show to talk about opportunities for high schoolers to affordably earn college credit from FVCC. The programs emphasize student opportunities to find success without four-year degrees with a special focus on nurturing a skilled local workforce. Shelley talks about all of that plus what it's like for students to find the program and what graduation will mean next month.
Later in the show, host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the updated census totals, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the Blackfeet Nation's response to COVID-19, and Bigfork High School senior Wyatt Duke tying the Class B state record in the high jump and leading the state in the event.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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April 28 E-Edition
Building a Grassroots Workforce
Rapid Population Growth Gives Montana Second House Seat
CDC Study: Blackfeet Response Squashed COVID Outbreaks
Flathead National Forest Considers Flood of Permit Requests
Planning Board Approves Lake Five Dock, Swimming Platform
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You don't have to look very hard to see signs, literally, of the Flathead Valley's labor shortage, with businesses desperately seeking help, particularly in the service industry as a busy summer season approaches. The director of the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Pat Barkey, is our guest this week to talk why there is a scarcity of workers, what could be done to fix it, and why things like immigration could be having an outsized impact on the problem. You can read more of Pat's thoughts and a ton more on the labor crisis in Maggie Dresser's excellent Flathead Beacon cover story this week.
Later in the show, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including an update on Flathead County's slowing vaccine demand, another challenge to an environmental standard on Lake Koocanusa, and a primer on the closely watched local school board elections.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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April 21 E-Edition
Now Hiring
UM Bureau of Business and Economic Research
Demand Slowing for COVID-19 Vaccine
Lawmaker Seeks Review of Selenium Standard
Opposition to Masks Inspires School Board Candidates
Kalispell Opts Against Adopting Social Media Policy
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The Music Issue is back in 2021 after a pandemic hiatus but this year's edition is still full of pandemic-adjacent storylines. That includes the latest developments at the North Valley Music School, where a mandatory shutdown last March led the nonprofit to immediately offer remote lessons and recitals, programs that are now a big part of their future. The school's executive director, Deidre Corson, joins the show this week to talk about all that and why music was so important in getting many of us through the worst depths of the pandemic.
Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the final weekend of a record year at Whitefish Mountain Resort, a new administrator hired in Flathead County, and a plea agreement reached following a death outside a Whitefish bar last summer.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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April 14 E-Edition
Music Issue: North Valley Music School
Music Issue: Under the Big Sky
Music Issue: New FVCC Venue
A Banner Year on Big Mountain
County Hires New Administrator
Plea Agreement Calls for Five-Year Prison Term in Killing of Whitefish Man
Columbia Falls Receives Department of Commerce Grant
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Several bills targeting transgender youth are making their way through the Montana Legislature this session and to discuss how those bills are being received by the local LGBTQ community, Glacier Queer Alliance Executive Director Bryan Bebb joins the show this week. Bryan shares some of what his organization, and others, are doing to ensure the transgender community feels supported locally, despite the fact that much of the targeted legislation is being proposed by Flathead Valley lawmakers.
Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the formal adoption of a ticketed entry system for Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road this summer, a visit from U.S. Sen Jon Tester to promote the ways the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan will impact local businesses and residents, and a guilty plea in a gruesome murder case on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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April 7 E-Edition
Community of Inclusion
Glacier Queer Alliance
Glacier Park Unveils Ticketed Entry System for Sun Road
Tester Trumpets COVID-19 Relief Bill in Kalispell
Guilty Plea Entered in Grisly Murder on Blackfeet Reservation
South Kalispell Fire to Run Levy for New Station
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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Our annual Jobs Issue hits newsstands this week, taking a look at the job market in Northwest Montana as we approach the final stages, hopefully, of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief Economist Barb Wagner from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry joins the show to talk about some of the biggest challenges facing employers and employees right now and what lingering impacts the COVID-19 pandemic could have on Montana's economy.
Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a record fine for a coal company accused of polluting two Lincoln County waterways, a criminal settlement in the tragic case of a 6-year-old child struck by a car when she exited a bus in 2019, and Flathead County's state-leading supply of short-term rentals.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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March 31 E-Edition
Jobs Issue: Rapid Recovery as Tight Job Market Returns
Jobs Issue: The Future of the Home Office
B.C. Coal Mine Fined Record $60 Million
Woman Who Struck Child Getting Off Bus Changes Plea
Study: Flathead County Has Most Short-Term Rentals
Charges Filed After Drunken Crash Involving Two Cops
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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It feels like every year lately has been an unprecedented one at Glacier National Park, but 2021 might just end up being the busiest and most complicated of them all. With much of the world emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, officials expect extremely high visitation, and ongoing virus mitigation measures plus widespread road construction will make things extra challenging for park officials. Tristan Scott joins the show this week to talk about what those officials are planning to ensure visitors — and locals — go home from the park happy.
Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the Blackfeet Nation's decision to reopen the eastern entrances to Glacier National Park, a protest at Whitefish Mountain Resort, and a major conservation project taking another big step forward.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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March 24 E-Edition
On the Road to a Record Year
Blackfeet Tribe Votes to Reopen Eastern Entrances
Whitefish Mountain Resort Employees Push for Change
FWS Approves Sprawling Public Lands Project
State Drops Lawsuit, Settles with Businesses
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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It's been more than a year now since we all first felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in this country, so to look back at March 2020 and everything that's happened since then, Editor in Chief Kellyn Brown stops by the show to discuss it all. Kellyn walks through the first hectic weeks of covering the pandemic, how our coverage has been shaped ever since, and how he's handled the divisive rhetoric surrounding COVID-19.
Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a major announcement on vaccine availability in Montana, the relaxation of some restrictions on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, and a plan to expand trails — and discourage transients — at a Kalispell park.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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March 17 E-Edition
All Montanans to be Eligible for Vaccine by April 1
Demand for COVID-19 Vaccine Remains Strong
Blackfeet Nation Ushers in New Phase of Reopening
City Takes Step Forward in Expanding Lawrence Park Trail
Flathead Man Sentenced for Role in Fire That Killed His Father
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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A trio of brothers born and raised in Whitefish grew up to dominate the sport of gelande jumping, a run of success that continues today, 25 years after one of them first won Montana Snowbowl's annual event in 1996. Brent Wilson took home the title that year, and he joins the show to share how he turned from standout downhill racer to gelande jumper, how he brought younger brothers Rolf and Erik into the sport, and what it's been like to see the trio win 19 titles and set countless records along the way. Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including expanding vaccine availability in Northwest Montana, the return of the Empire Builder seven days a week, and a guilty plea in a Glacier National Park sexual assault case.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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March 10 E-Edition
The Brothers Gelande
Vaccine Availability Expanding in Northwest Montana
Relief Package Will Reinstate Daily Amtrak Service
Kalispell Chamber Discontinues Parade Sponsorship
Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Rape in Glacier Park
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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From the White House on down, the country is talking about how to reopen schools for in-person instruction, more than a year after the novel coronavirus first arrived in the United States. But in Northwest Montana, school buildings have been open since August and have done so relatively safely, a somewhat surprising but certainly welcome result. Staff Writer Andy Viano scoots over to the interviewee chair to talk about his reporting throughout the school year, what had to happen for schools to stay open as long as they have, and what's at stake as some districts consider rolling back mitigation efforts. Later, guest host Micah Drew runs through the biggest stories of the last seven days, including access to the east side of Glacier National Park could look like this summer, the latest on contract negotiations between unionized nurses and Kalispell Regional Healthcare, and a preview of championship week in prep sports.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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March 3 E-Edition
Roadmap to Reopening
East Side Access to Glacier Park Hinges on Tribal Consensus
Kalispell Snowboarder Dies in Big Mountain Tree Well
KRH Nurses Picket as Negotiations Grow Heated
With a Strong Defense, Wildkats Go on Offense
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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It's only February but this has already been a deadlier avalanche season than most, a reality that struck close to home earlier this year when a 59-year-old snowmobiler was killed in the Swan Range. Staff Writer Maggie Dresser wrote about the dangers this week and spoke with Erich Peitzsch, a research physical scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey. Erich joins the show to talk about the work he's doing, why the avalanche risk has been high here in recent weeks, and about a study on the age of those who are most often killed in deadly slides. Later, host Andy Viano returns to run through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a local school district's decision to stop requiring masks for in-person learning, another twist in what started as a murder case, and a history-making update on a show we did earlier this year.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Feb. 24 E-Edition
An Unforgiving Winter
Bigfork Schools Drop Mask Mandate
Plea Deal in Deadly Trailer Fire Rejected by Judge
Roundabout Construction Project to Begin in March
Their Moment on the Mat
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The purchase of more than 125,000 acres of timberland near the Hubbart Reservoir by a billionaire Texas couple prompted grave concerns from observers who have watched the property change hands several times in the last few years. Assistant Managing Editor Tristan Scott joins the show to talk about the story he broke and the broader issues of land conservation and public access, something that has for years been preserved through nothing more than a handshake agreement. Later, host Andy Viano returns to run through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the how the repeal of Montana's statewide mask mandate is being received in Flathead County, an update on back pay owed to former MudMan Burgers employees, and a major milestone in Bigfork's quest to build a new library.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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This Land is Whose Land?
County Health Officer Discouraged After Mask Mandate Repealed
Northwest Montana Schools Maintain Mask Mandate
Potter's Field Ministries Pays Backlogged Checks
Bigfork Library Campaign Surpasses Major Milestone
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Glenda Hamilton "took the plunge" and started a grocery store in 2005, stocked with items she remembered from her childhood in the Philippines and her grandmother's wet market there. Tristan Scott wrote about her store, Mabuhay Oriental Market, and the remarkable lengths she goes through to stock her shelves with just what her customers want in the 2021 Food Issue of the Flathead Beacon. In this week's episode, Hamilton takes us through her store and her years spent growing her business. Later, host Andy Viano returns to run through the biggest news stories from the last seven days, including a massive private land deal west of Kalispell, a new allotment of COVID-19 vaccine doses for Flathead County and a deadly avalanche in the Swan Range last weekend.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Feb. 10 E-Edition
2021 Food Issue
Mabuhay Market Delivers International Flavor
Texas Power Couple Acquires 125,800 Acres of Timberland
Flathead County Announces Additional Vaccine Clinic
Allegiant Air Adds Route to San Diego
Snowmobiler Killed in Avalanche Near Wildcat Lake
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Furrier Brian Osterday channeled his passion for art, love of history and experience in the outdoors into one a one-of-a-kind career creating fur hats, blankets, slippers, boots and more, all using techniques and equipment more than 100 years old. Osterday joins the show this week to talk about how he got into this profession, why it hooked him in a way that other artistic pursuits didn't and what he sees as the future of a craft he wants to pass on to the next generation. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest news stories from the last seven days, including the slow but steady rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Flathead County, words of caution from Glacier National Park's superintendent ahead of the busy season and the search for an international fugitive unknowingly released after an hourlong pursuit through Northwest Montana last month.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Feb. 3 E-Edition
The Last of His Kind
County Expects to Receive 1,200 Vaccine Doses Each Week
Glacier Superintendent Predicts Another Challenging Summer
Law Enforcement Searching for Man Released by Border Patrol
Rebranded County Transit Service Hits the Streets
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Dave Sturzen was scared to match up against Kevin Collom, the steinholding legend who ruled the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish for nearly a decade. But when Sturzen finally gave it a shot, in 2019, he won, and launched a meteoric rise in the sport that culminated in a national championship late last year. Sturzen joins the show this week to talk about it all, including what his family thinks of his regular at-home training, what his goals are for 2021 and what it feels like to hold five pounds of beer and glass steady for more than 20 minutes. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last week, including a proposed piece of legislation that could end Whitefish's affordable housing program, the latest on vaccine distribution in Flathead County, and updates on a pair of high-profile court cases.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Jan. 27 E-Edition
Next in Stein
Legislation Targets Affordable Housing Program
Montana COVID-19 Dashboard
Flathead County COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Plea Agreement Recommends Suspended Sentence in Fatal Fire
Man Who Pulled Down Ten Commandments Given Deferred Sentence
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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It has been a trying year at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center, as it has been for countless other nursing homes around the country that have been stricken with a COVID-19 outbreak. The August outbreak at Whitefish Care and Rehab eventually killed 13 residents and sickened dozens more, and in the aftermath stories and reports from oversight agencies painted a grim picture of a facility that failed to meet regulatory standards before and during the outbreak. Reid Crickmore, the building's executive director, joins the show this week to talk about the outbreak, the fallout and why he's optimistic about Whitefish Care and Rehab's future. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last seven days, including information on how the COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed in Flathead County, data on a surge in homeschool students, and anti-trans legislation proposed in Helena.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Jan. 20 E-Edition
Care in Crisis
State Surveys Reveal Extreme Care Deficiencies
Families Sue Whitefish Care Facility for Negligence
Whitefish Care Lawsuit Grows to Include Conspiracy Allegations
Health Department Receiving Deluge of Calls as Vaccine Rollout Begins
Flathead County Has Most Homeschool Students in Montana
Transgender Youth Targeted by Two Proposed Bills
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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Girls have been wrestling at the high school level for decades, but this year in Montana they finally get their own team. The Montana High School Association is officially sanctioning girls wrestling as an interscholastic sport this year and Kalispell's two high schools boast more than 40 combined grapplers. This week, Flathead High School's Amber Downing, the lone female coach at the high school level in the state, joins the show to talk about her own experience as a wrestler and what this historic season means. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last seven days, including an update on how the COVID-19 vaccine will be allocated, a plan to keep grizzly bears and freight trains apart, and a resort tax on the ballot in Polson.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Jan. 13 E-Edition
Their Moment on the Mat
Health Officials Ready for Next Phase of Vaccine Deployment
BNSF Submits Conservation Plan to Protect Grizzlies
Polson Residents to Vote on Resort Tax
Flathead County Man Charged 15 Months After Fatal Accident
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We ring in 2021 a few days late with a visit from Editor in Chief Kellyn Brown, who shares some of his bold predictions for 2021. Kellyn breaks down how he thinks Montana could be divided if (but more likely when) the state earns a second U.S. House seat once the results of the 2020 census are in, talks about the 2021 Legislative session that is now underway in Helena, and lets us know a few of his personal goals for the new year — including a quest to become a cigar aficionado. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the first words on COVID-19 from new Gov. Greg Gianforte, Whitefish extending its citywide mask mandate and the official legalization of marijuana possession (in small quantities) in Montana.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Jan. 6 E-Edition
Gianforte Sets Guidelines for Lifting Mask Mandate
Whitefish Passes Emergency Mask Ordinance
Health Officials Urge Patience as State Navigates Vaccine Allocations
Montana Residents Can Grow, Possess Pot
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With the holiday season comes our annual Giving Back issue, and like everything else since March this one is impacted by COVID-19 and explores how some nonprofits and volunteers have seen their worlds change in the last nine months. Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley Executive Director Bob Helder joins the show this week to talk about his organization, how a partnership with AmeriCorps expanded to keep construction going on three Lakeside homes and what else changed in 2020. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the latest county data on COVID-19, a landmark day for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the approval of two new public access points on Flathead Lake.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Dec. 23 E-Edition
Building Futures for Families
Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley
Health Department Confirms Five More COVID-Related Deaths
Flathead County COVID Numbers Decline for First Time in Weeks
State Land Board Approves Acquisition of New Lake Access Sites
Federal Spending Bill Ratifies Flathead Water Compact
Judge: Zoning District Barring Water-Bottling Plant is Lawful
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For this week's cover story, Staff Writer Maggie Dresser set out to track down a group of Broadway actors and touring musicians who have moved to the Flathead Valley in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, deciding to relocate as productions shut down throughout the country. Maggie joins the show to talk about her story, how Alpine Theatre Project helped attract the new crop of talent and what it means for the local arts scene to have them in the valley. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a welcome dip in new cases of COVID-19 in Flathead County, an end to the troubling story of a Rexford youth home and the final legal blow, perhaps, to the infamous bridge to nowhere.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Dec. 16 E-Edition
Far Off Broadway
KRH Receives First COVID-19 Vaccine Doses
Ranch for Kids License Permanently Revoked
Judge Orders Demolition Plan for 'Bridge to Nowhere'
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Best of Preps is one of the Flathead Beacon's longest running features but it's been a while since the last one came out. The last two editions of the special section celebrating the area's top high school athletes were canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic, so this week Staff Writer Micah Drew joins the show to talk about what it took to bring Best of Preps back and how this year's jaw-dropping photos came to life (hint: it involves throwing cornstarch into a coworker's face). Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last seven days, including doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on the way to Flathead County and a new health officer stepping into his old job to try and steady the county health department.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Dec. 9 E-Edition
Flathead County Reports Five Additional COVID Deaths
Brendan House Reports 12 Residents Have Died
Montana's First COVID Vaccine Doses to Go to Major Hospitals
Longtime Health Officer Returns to Stabilize Department
Kalispell Regional Healthcare Announces Name Change
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The Flathead Beacon's award-winning, always excellent photography is primarily the work of one man, Media Director Hunter D'Antuono, who joins the show this week to talk about how he captures all those beautiful images that grace our pages. Hunter shares how he first came to have a camera in his hands and why he's hoping a tool to help see the stars is waiting under his Christmas tree later this month. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the resignation of the Flathead County health officer, the expansion of a lawsuit against a long-term care facility hit with a COVID outbreak in August and another accolade for a Whitefish hockey phenom.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.
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Dec. 2 E-Edition
Flathead Beacon Photo Galleries
Flathead County Interim Health Officer to Resign
Whitefish Care Lawsuit Grows to Include Conspiracy Allegations
Jake Sanderson Named to Preliminary U.S. Juniors Roster
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No group is more vulnerable to the devastating effects of COVID-19 than senior citizens, and the medical risk isn't the only reason many elderly men and women are struggling right now. Managing Editor Myers Reece joins the show this week to talk about his cover story from the Nov. 18 issue of the Beacon and shares how the virus is impacting seniors' mental health and what local community organizations are doing to try to help while keeping their clients safe. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last seven days, including another record week of new COVID-19 cases, a Kalispell state senator earning a new role, and the conviction of a man who made headlines over the summer.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Nov. 25 E-Edition
2020 Holiday Gift Guide
The Fight Against Isolation
Health Department Will Not Approve Events of More Than 25 People
Lawmakers Pick Leaders for Upcoming Legislative Session
Victims of Kalispell Trailer Fire Identified
Man Who Pulled Down Ten Commandments Found Guilty
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New COVID-19 cases have been popping up in Montana at an alarming rate this month and on Tuesday lame duck Gov. Steve Bullock took action, announcing a number of new measures targeting the out-of-control spread of the virus. In this week's episode, you'll hear clips from Gov. Bullock's press conference, and find out just what is going to be done and what prompted the governor to take action at this time. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the status of the pandemic in Flathead County, a key local ruling on the governor's previous mask directive and details from a scary Thursday night at a Columbia Falls grocery store.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Nov. 18 E-Edition
Bullock Announces New Statewide Directives
Judge Denies State's Attempt to Force Compliance with Mask Directive
Investigators Seeking Information on Two Dead Grizzly Bears
Man Who Drove Through Grocery Store Charged with Two Felonies
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We're more than a week removed from the 2020 general election but the impact will be felt for years, particularly after Montana Republicans won every statewide race, including the races for governor and U.S. Senate. Beacon Editor in Chief Kellyn Brown shares what he took away from election night, including the lack of ticket-splitting in what has traditionally been a purple state, and what the election results could mean for the state and both parties. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the last seven days, most of which continue to involve COVID-19 as the volume of new cases in Flathead County surges yet again.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Nov. 11 E-Edition
The Red Sweep
Public Health Officials Take Aim at County
Columbia Falls Junior High Goes Remote
Forty Residents of Brendan House Test Positive
Kalispell Unanimously Approves Homeless Shelter
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There are so many stories in this week's Flathead Beacon we had to bring two guests to the show, starting with Editor in Chief Kellyn Brown. Kellyn talks through some of the rumors out there about just how many people have moved to Flathead County since the pandemic began and shares what Tristan Scott found was real — and what wasn't — in this week's cover story. Kellyn then turns his chair over to Staff Writer Micah Drew, who tells us about voter turnout so far in Flathead County and how election officials are dealing with what are likely going to be record numbers. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest news stories from the last seven days, including what's being done to contain the county's ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Oct. 28 E-Edition
The Road to Montana
State Health Department Sues Four Local Businesses
State Files Suit Against Fifth Business
Whitefish Enacts Halloween Restrictions
KRH Grappling with High Patient Volume
Lakeside Woman Says Ex-Husband Tried to Rape Her Before Shooting
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Glacier High School Activities Director Mark Dennehy contracted COVID-19 back in July, and the virus knocked him and his family back for weeks. A health-conscious gym regular, Dennehy dealt with symptoms for weeks, and he shared his story as one of five Pandemic Portraits in this week's Beacon. You can read all the stories — including from a cop, a teacher, a software developer and a nurse in the Kalispell Regional Medical Center COVID unit — by following the link below. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest news stories from the last seven days, including inaction from the county health board, new pollution standards on Lincoln County waters and the closure of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Oct. 21 E-Edition
Pandemic Portraits
Health Board Takes No Action at Monthly Meeting
Families Sue Whitefish Care Facility
State Surveys Reveal Extreme Deficiencies at Whitefish Facility
New Rule to Protect Lake Koocanusa from B.C. Mine
Alpine Sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road Close
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If you live in Flathead County your general election ballot should already be in your mailbox, so we're finishing up our two-week series on the election with our lead political reporter, Tristan Scott. We take a close look at the race for governor and two federal races — for U.S. House and U.S. Senate — to learn about the candidates and find out what their election could mean both here in Montana and nationally. Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest headlines from the last week, which are all about COVID-19 and the ever-worsening outbreak still consuming Flathead County.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Oct. 14 E-Edition
Three Key Races Poised to Shape Montana's Future
Political Newcomers Vie for Seat on County Commission
General Election 2020: Montana Legislature
Health Department Proposes New Restrictions if Outbreak Spreads
FCCHD Can't Keep Up with Wave of New Cases
Commissioners Issue Statement Deflecting Criticism
Bullock Puts Onus on County Leaders to Stop Spread
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Ballots for the 2020 general election will be mailed out in Flathead County on Friday, Oct. 9, and before your ballot arrives in the mailbox we're running down (briefly) eight contested races for the Montana Legislature. Four Beacon reporters — Tristan Scott, Maggie Dresser, Micah Drew and podcast host Andy Viano — break down two races each in this week's episode, just as they did in this week's issue of the Flathead Beacon. Later in the episode, Andy returns to provide an update on the spread of COVID-19 in Flathead County and the rest of the biggest stories from the last week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Oct. 7 E-Edition
2020 Fall Arts Issue
Flathead County at 'Critical Point' in COVID-19 Fight
Whitefish Mountain Resort Operations Shift Slightly
Eagle Transit Suspends Service on Popular Routes
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Sarah Williams and Peter Weinberger had never met before crossing paths on the Continental Divide Trail but ended up tackling thousands of miles together over several months, all while the coronavirus spread across the United States and flipped life upside down for millions of Americans. Sarah and Peter are the subjects of this week's Beacon cover story and join the show to talk about the experience as they reintegrate into the community. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the latest information on Flathead County's growing COVID-19 outbreak and the rest of the biggest stories from the last week.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Sept. 30 E-Edition
3,000 Miles, One Trail and No One in Sight
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
Flathead COVID-19 Cases Continue to Shatter Records
Surveys Reveal Care Deficiencies at Whitefish Facility
Food Bank Delivering to Blackfeet Reservation
KRH Nurses Launch Public Campaign
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Flathead County is in the midst of the largest outbreak of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, a dramatic increase in cases that is stressing public health infrastructure and causing frustration at the county health department. That feeling has only been compounded by angry outbursts from those opposed to mask mandates, those who question the severity of the virus and those who want the department to do more to enforce safety protocols (among others), so Andy Viano flips seats this week to answer questions from Editor in Chief Kellyn Brown about all of it. Later, Andy returns to the host chair to share a few other coronavirus-related updates and check in on a wildfire burning in the Kootenai National Forest.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Sept. 23 E-Edition
Coronavirus Case Tracker
Frustration, Exhaustion Setting in at Health Department
Whitefish City Hall Closes Due to COVID-19 Concerns
Spike in Cases Promps Quarantine Order in Babb, St. Mary
Callahan Fire Containment Increases
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After initially rejecting the option, the Flathead County Commissioners joined most of the rest of Montana in opting to use an all-mail ballot in the upcoming November election, over the objections of a small but vocal minority who claim mail voting is rife with fraud. This week, Tristan Scott brings a guest to the show, Flathead County Election Manager Monica Eisenzimer, who explains how her office has handled large numbers of absentee ballots for years and why she's fully confident in this November's vote. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories from the past week, including the latest data on the spread of the novel coronavirus, an update from Flathead County schools and a recap of Mike Pence's visit to Montana.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Sept. 16 E-Edition
The Ballot Battle
Resident at Kalispell Care Facility Dies from COVID-19
Glacier Park Prepares to Pare Back Operations
Pence Says Reelecting Daines Key to Trump Agenda
Flathead County Election website
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The Flathead County Sheriff's Office is looking for help solving a 17-year-old cold case and contributing writer Justin Franz joins the show this week to share what they know. Justin tells us what authorities found near the remains of Cliff Doe, why they think they might be closer than ever to solving the mystery, and why the case has baffled those who have worked on it. Later, host Andy Viano goes through the biggest stories from the last week, including up-to-date data on the spread of COVID-19, Flathead County's reversal on the November election and an arson that ripped through a museum and cultural center on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Sept. 9 E-Edition
Who is Cliff Doe?
Sixth Death Tied to Long-Term Care Facility
County Adopts All-Mail Ballots for November
Suspected Arsonist Dead After Fire at The People's Center
City of Kalispell Not Liable for Police Shooting
Project 7 Podcast
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The Flathead Hotshots are one of the country's oldest wildland firefighting crews but even they have never experienced anything like 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic. Assistant Managing Editor Tristan Scott joins the show this week to talk about his cover story and share what life is like for the Hotshots this year and how they dealt with a positive COVID-19 test in their ranks. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories of the last week, including the latest on an outbreak at a Whitefish long-term care facility and a plan to change a local lake's racist name.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Sept. 2 E-Edition
'It's Like Fighting a Ghost'
Deaths Mount as COVID Outbreak Spreads
Kalispell to Use Videoconferencing for Council Meetings
Whitefish Petitions to Change Lake's Racist Name
C-Falls Man Dies After Boat Flips on Flathead River
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Students and teachers around the Flathead Valley are returning to the classroom this week, with many opening their doors five days a week for any students who want to attend in-person. Most families have opted to do just that, and School District 6 Board Chairwoman Jill Rocksund joins the show this week to talk about how schools in Columbia Falls are planning to reopen safely and how she and her colleagues plan to react if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories of the last week, including the latest numbers on the coronavirus and Flathead County's choice to eschew an all-mail election in November.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Aug. 26 E-Edition
Back to School: School Counselors Helping Students
Back to School: Teachers Enter Year of Uncertainty
53 Inmates, 2 Staff Test Positive at Cascade County Jail
COVID-19 Death Reported at Long-Term Care Facility
Flathead County to Operate In-Person Poll Election
A Recovering Airline Industry
Driver Who Crashed Into House Pleads Not Guilty
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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced this week that they have proposed acquiring 106 acres of exclusive property along the north shore of Flathead Lake, major news for outdoor enthusiasts who already jam into the limited points of public access to the immensely popular lake. But that news is just one piece of a recent string of land acquisitions for FWP, and Dr. Alan Wood and Dillon Tabish join the show to talk about how and why those projects have come together. Later, host Andy Viano runs down the biggest stories of the last week, including the latest on the reopening of schools in the Flathead Valley, the start of the height of wildfire season and news on a settlement between the City of Kalispell and a retired police officer in a discrimination lawsuit.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Aug. 19 E-Edition
New Somers Beach Park Proposed
Bad Rock Canyon Project Gains Initial Approval
Bullock Issues School Mask Mandate
Fire Danger Elevated to 'Very High'
City, Retired Police Officer Settle Discrimination Suit
Officials Drop Proposed Flavored Vaping Ban
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
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As fairs around Montana scale back or are canceled in their entirety, the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo in Kalispell is pressing on, scheduled to being on Aug. 19. Staff Writer Micah Drew has been covering all the developments for weeks and he joins the show to talk about what the fair's going to look like and why organizers are still moving forward. Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last week, including a roundup of COVID-19 cases, news on a potential mail-ballot election this fall, a good-news wildfire update and a complex saga unfolding in Whitefish.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Aug. 12 E-Edition
A Fair Without a Ferris Wheel
Flathead County Considering All-Mail Ballot
Bird Island Fire Calmed, Magpie Rock Contained
Security Firm CEO Under Federal Indictment was 'Volunteer' with Whitefish PD
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Kalispell Regional Healthcare is Flathead County's largest employer, and the healthcare system is continuing its years-long expansion while also trying to manage the financial and logistical challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Managing Editor Myers Reece looked into all of that for the Aug. 5 issue of the Beacon and he discusses his story, "Growth and Uncertainty," on this week's show. Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the latest on COVID-19 in Montana, the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, an island on fire in Flathead Lake and a pair of open investigations in Glacier National Park.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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Aug. 5 E-Edition
Growth and Uncertainty
'A Conservationist's Dream' Come True
Wildfire Closes Public Access to Bird Island
Reward Offered for Info on Arson Fires in Glacier Park
Search Underway for Missing Man in North Fork Area
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Summer in Northwest Montana unofficially begins when Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road opens in its entirety, but because of the coronavirus pandemic there will be no through travel this year. Assistant Managing Editor Tristan Scott is this week's guest and he talks about how the park is adapting, why the Blackfeet Nation chose to cut off access to the east side of Sun Road and what the future may hold. Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the ever-risking numbers of positive COVID-19 tests throughout the state, how Flathead County health officials are keeping up and news on the first significant wildfire of 2020.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
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July 29 E-Edition
Under Pressure
Montana Announces Five More COVID-19 Deaths
County Keeping up with Contact Tracing
Wildfire Burning Near Dixon
Reward Offered for Info on Arson Fires in Glacier Park
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Students throughout Northwest Montana are planning to return to school next month, and Evergreen School District Superintendent Laurie Barron joins the show this week to talk about her district's plan, what still needs to be figured out, and how districts are preparing to adapt as the reality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shift. Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including the continuing surge of coronavirus cases in Montana and in Flathead County, a mask ordinance passed in Whitefish and the return of the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo this summer.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
RELATED STORIES
July 15 E-Edition
The Reopening Riddle
Cases Spike in Flathead, Lake and Lincoln Counties
Whitefish Adopts Mandatory Mask Ordinance
Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo Will Proceed
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Myers Reece is the managing editor of the Flathead Beacon and the man behind Flathead Living magazine, and he joins the show this week to talk first about this week's Beacon cover story, "Abbie's Way," a terrific profile by Clare Menzel that was first published in the magazine. Then Myers shares his reporting on the novel coronavirus and the uptick in cases that has continued this week, with 80 new cases announced on Monday alone. Later, host Andy Viano runs through the biggest stories from the last seven days, including a fundraiser to restore a Black Lives Matter billboard, a tragedy in Glacier National Park and a new budget for Flathead County.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
RELATED STORIES
July 8 E-Edition
Abbie's Way
Weddings, Bars Linked to Dozens of COVID Cases
Whitefish Adopts Mask Resolution
Fundraiser Launched After Billboard Vandalized
Missing ISU Professor Found Dead
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This week's Flathead Beacon cover story is really five stories in one, and you can read everything on the Great Outdoors in this week's edition, available on newsstands now and at flatheadbeacon.com. In this week's episode, host Andy Viano goes through the latest news including a surge in coronavirus cases in the last seven days, a major decision by the Blackfeet Nation that will have a big impact on Glacier National Park, an education-related lawsuit out of Kalispell decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, and a triple homicide in the small town of Olney.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
RELATED STORIES
July 1 E-Edition
The Great Outdoors
Bullock Warns COVID-19 'Could Get Out of Hand'
Blackfeet Tribe Closes Eastern Border to Glacier Park
Supreme Court Lifts Ban on State Aid to Religious Schooling
3-Year-Old Girl Among Victims in Olney Triple Homicide
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Staff Writer Maggie Dresser led this week's Flathead Beacon with a close look at the local housing market and an explanation of why homes are selling fast in the midst of a global pandemic, all as part of her story, "Seeking a Safe Haven." Later in the show, a rundown of the biggest news stories of the week, including a surge in coronavirus cases in Montana, a historic step for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and a change to the Empire Builder's schedule.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
RELATED STORIES
June 24 E-Edition
Seeking a Safe Haven
Community Testing Event Draws Big Crowd
Senate Approves $2.8B Plan to Boost Conservation, Parks
Man Charged with Vehicular Homicide After Fatal Crash
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Staff Writer Micah Drew profiled distance runners Makena Morley and Zach Perrin for this week's Flathead Beacon, getting to know one of the country's fastest couples and sharing what comes next for the two Flathead Valley natives and recent college graduates. In the second half of the episode, get caught up on the biggest stories of the last week, including a pair of newly confirmed coronavirus cases in Flathead County, the reopening of Glacier National Park and a victory for the Badger-Two Medicine area.
Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com.
RELATED STORIES
June 17 E-Edition
Next Steps
New COVID-19 Case in Flathead County
Appeals Court Upholds Protection for Badger-Two Medicine
Motor Vehicle Services Face COVID-Caused Backlog
Sheriff Says Two Deadly Shootings 'Our Worst Nightmare'
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We'll get Tristan Scott's insight into this week's Flathead Beacon cover story, "Who's Right?" and talk about the hard-line vs. moderate divide within the Montana Republican Party, and what the June 2 primary meant for that battle. Later in the episode, get caught up on the biggest stories of the week, including protests in the Flathead Valley in support of Black Lives Matter, the latest coronavirus case numbers and a prediction for the upcoming fire season.
RELATED STORIES
June 10 E-Edition
Who's Right?
More Than 1,000 Turn Out for Peaceful Protest
Barring Recount, Abell Wins Republican Primary
Above-Normal Fire Season Shaping Up
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We dive into this week's Flathead Beacon cover story, "Prepared for an Uncertain Future" and talk to a member of the graduating class of 2020, Glacier High School's Madison Alcorn. Later in the episode, get caught up on the biggest stories of the week, including results from the June 2 primary election, news on the reopening of Glacier National Park, changes to the school calendar this fall and the closure of a Kalispell landmark.
RELATED STORIES
June 3 E-Edition
2020 Primary Election Results
Glacier Park to Open June 8
FVCC Announces Changes to Fall Schedule
Montana Raceway Park Shuttered Permanently
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Glacier National Park will reopen in the second week of June, answering a question that's been hanging in minds of local business owners for weeks. Plus, eight new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Montana on Friday, unreturned ballots for the upcoming June 2 primary should be dropped off in person, and an officer-involved shooting took the life of a 52-year-old man in Flathead County.
RELATED STORIES
Glacier Park Poised to Reopen
Eight New COVID-19 Cases Reported
Ballots Must be Received by Election Day
Investigation into Officer-Involved Shooting Continues
EPA Deletes Portion of Libby Superfund Site
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It's still all about coronavirus in Northwest Montana, but this week as even more restrictions are lifted there is a bit of good news. Gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters and museums are now permitted to reopen and unemployment claims dropped for a second straight week. Later, Jared Allen Parsons is sentenced to 17 years in prison, with 10 of those years suspended, after he drove drunk and crashed into an Evergreen home last April, killing a 15-year-old girl who slept inside.
RELATED STORIES
Gym Owners Express Optimism, Frustration
Xanterra Suspends Red Bus Tours
Unemployment Claims Drop for Second Straight Week
Kalispell Man Sentenced for Vehicular Homicide
Whitefish's Voisin Named Freeskiier of the Year
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In our first weekly roundup of Northwest Montana news, we go through the latest coronavirus numbers in Montana and lay out the businesses open now, and the ones that are opening soon. Later, Kalispell Regional Healthcare begins offering more services and the Under the Big Sky festival cancels this summer's event.
RELATED STORIES
Bars and Restaurants Reopen with Restrictions
Under the Big Sky Festival Postponed
Gyms, Fitness Studios Can Reopen May 15
Kalispell Approves Water, Sewer Rate Increase
Project 7 Podcast
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It's been nearly two weeks since more than four new cases of coronavirus were reported in Montana on a single day as no new cases were added to the state's total on Friday.
This episode is the final regular update on COVID-19 but stay subscribed to this feed for new podcasts from the Flathead Beacon. Or check out Project 7, our mini-series on Kalispell militia leader David Burgert.
Thanks for listening!
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Bigfork Food Bank Reopens
Project 7 Podcast
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No new cases of coronavirus were reported in Montana on Wednesday, just as the state's phased re-opening begins. And school boards across Montana are declining to re-open this year despite Gov. Steve Bullock turning that decision over to local jurisdictions last week.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Schools Choose to Remain Closed
Montana Could Lose 51,000 Jobs
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
The state of Montana is slowly reopening and today retail shops and businesses like salons, spas and tattoo parlors welcomed their first customers in weeks. Bars and restaurants will open next week and schools could open on May 7 but it appeared most if not all Northwest Montana districts would instead extend remote learning through the remainder of the academic year.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Bullock Unveils Phased Reopening
Flathead City-County Health Dept.
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
Project 7, the Beacon's podcast mini-series about vanished militia leader David Burgert, just released its third episode and on today's COVID-19 podcast we're bringing the two shows together. Travis McAdam of the Montana Human Rights Network has been monitoring extremism in Montana for two decades, and he sees some parallels between the heyday of the modern militia movement around the turn of the century and the recent protests in Kalispell led by a controversial doctor.
The show today is a bonus episode of Project 7, typically available only to members of the Flathead Beacon Editor's Club. Join the club for as little as $5 per month to hear behind-the-scenes conversations and extended interviews from Project 7.
Subscribe to Project 7 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms. Visit the show's website at project7pod.com.
READ: Kalispell Declares Local State of Emergency and Increased Calls for Ouster of Physician from Health Board
LISTEN: COVID-19 Update for April 20
Music in this this episode includes “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
The Project 7 theme is composed by Jeremy Reinbolt and performed by Nick Spear, Rebecca Spear, Halladay Quist, Jesse Ahmann and Jeremy Reinbolt.
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Gov. Steve Bullock rolled out his plan for the phased reopening of Montana on Wednesday, lifting the state's stay-at-home order on Sunday and gradually opening businesses in the following days. He also turned one decision over to local school districts, allowing them to reopen their doors on May 7 if they so choose. Later, the most up-to-date news and numbers on COVID-19 in Montana.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Bullock Unveils Phased Reopening
MHSA Cancels Spring Sports Season
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
Dr. Annie Bukacek's appointment to the Flathead City-County Health Board in January was already contentious, and her recent public comments about the coronavirus are leading some to call for her removal from the board. Senior Writer Tristan Scott joins the show to share what he knows. Later, the latest news and information on COVID-19 in Montana.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Public Calls for Physician's Ouster
Kalispell Declares Local State of Emergency
Health Board Closes Bars, Restaurants
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Pauline Davidson, a third-grade teacher at Creston School, was one of the five "Faces of Resiliency" profiled in this week's Flathead Beacon joins the show today. Later, get the latest news and information on COVID-19, including the eighth reported death in Montana from the virus and a grant awarded to Kalispell Public Schools for meal service.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Faces of Resiliency
Schools Receive $15,000 Grant
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
Only five new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Montana on Tuesday, so just a quick recap of the news on today's episode. If you're looking for more content, subscribe to Project 7, the Flathead Beacon's true-crime podcast about militia leader David Burgert. Episode two of Project 7 comes out on Wednesday. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
No Timeline for Return to Normal
Project 7 Podcast
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
The Abbie Shelter Executive Director Hilary Shaw talked to Maggie Dresser for a story this week, and we share excerpts of that interview. The Abbie Shelter is still providing its services to domestic abuse survivors, even during the coronavirus pandemic. Later, Flathead County reports its first death from COVID-19 and Kalispell Regional Healthcare furloughs around 600 employees amid declining revenues
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Shelters Report Increased Danger Levels
The Abbie Shelter
The Abbie Shelter on Facebook
Flathead Resident Dies of COVID-19
KRH Furloughing Roughly 600 Employees
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Tim and Dana Phillips, the owners of Hops Downtown Grill in Kalispell, join the show to talk about how they've been adapting throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and what the future could bring. Later, we run down the latest news, numbers and information on the coronavirus in Northwest Montana.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Superintendent Expects School Year to Finish Online
Hops Downtown Grill on Facebook
Project 7 Podcast
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
Montana's state medical officer explains how he and other experts are analyzing COVID-19 data to try and build the most accurate models. Later, the governor issues yet another directive, this one allowing a pair of "magical creatures" to perform essential services.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Three New COVID Cases in Flathead County
MHSA Extends Suspension of Spring Sports
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
It was a slow day in coronavirus news so we took another listen to some of Gov. Steve Bullock's Tuesday press conference and zoomed in on rural healthcare and the pocket of cases in Toole County. Later, the most up-to-date information on the spread of COVID-19 in Montana.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Addressing Montana's Health 'Deserts'
Montana Adds 13 New Cases
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
Gov. Steve Bullock extended school closures and his stay-at-home order for two more weeks, through April 24, at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. Later, Flathead Beacon Media Director Hunter D'Antuono joins the show to talk about what it's been like to shoot photographs throughout the Flathead Valley during this pandemic.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Bullock Extends Stay Home Order
Kalispell Declares State of Emergency
Photos: COVID-19 in the Flathead Valley
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Childcare has been one of the many sectors completely upended by the COVID-19 outbreak, and in Montana daycares were left scrambling when schools were closed with little notice in the middle of March. Collette Box, director of Discovery Developmental Center in Kalispell joins today to talk about how her daycare is adapting and what the plan looks like in the future. Later, the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in Montana.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Pandemic Upending Childcare Industry
Directive Classifies Childcare as 'Essential'
Whitefish Ordinance Restricts Reservations
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Flathead City-County Public Health Officer Hillary Hanson took time out of a busy schedule to join tonight's show and talk about how her office is handling the outbreak of coronavirus so far, what recommendations she has for Flathead County residents, and how local officials are preparing for the days and weeks to come. Later, we report the latest case totals around the state and locally, and bring you other coronavirus-related news.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Flathead City-County Health Department
Project 7 Podcast
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
Senior Writer Tristan Scott interviewed a pair of doctors at Kalispell Regional Healthcare, Jeff Tjaden and Doug Nelson, and shares excerpts from that interview on today's show. They talk about how coronavirus is impacting KRH and what they see for the future as Northwest Montana responds to the virus. Later, the updated numbers on COVID-19 in Montana and details on the state's plan to screen out-of-state travelers when they arrive.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
National Guard to Screen Visitors
Project 7 Podcast
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
It's been a very long few weeks for very many people in the Flathead Valley so this week's Flathead Beacon cover story took a look at how the most creative among us are surviving COVID-19. Hear from musician Nick Spear and Alpine Theatre Project's Luke Walrath on this episode, plus the latest coronavirus news and information. And stay tuned at the end of the episode for a sneak preview of the Beacon's new true-crime podcast, Project 7.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Creativity in a Time of Crisis
Project 7 Podcast
Montana Music Relief Fund
Nick Spear's "Quiet Little Town"
Alpine Theatre Project
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Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld hops on a quick phone call to discuss the letter the city sent out on Tuesday, asking short-term rentals and lodging properties to stop accepting reservations for dates beyond April 30. Later in the show, Gov. Steve Bullock addresses a number of issues including his Monday phone call with President Trump that was obtained by CBS News and the New York Times.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Montana to Ban Evictions, Utility Shutoffs
Whitefish Asks Hotels, Rentals to Stop Taking Reservations
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Whitefish Community Foundation President Linda Engh-Grady shares details on the group’s emergency response fund, set up to assist individuals, families and businesses affected by the coronavirus. Later, the most up-to-date numbers on the coronavirus in Montana, and Flathead County makes changes to the June 2 primary election.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Whitefish Community Foundation
Flathead County Adopts All-Mail Ballot
Seeking Refuge in the Flathead Valley
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Bigfork High School Activities Director Matt Porrovecchio is the guest on today's episode to chat about the suspension of the spring sports season in Montana and what comes next. Later, Montana suffers its first death from the coronavirus and the state's number of cases continues to climb rapidly.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Spring Sports Suspended
Libby Man First Coronavirus Death in Montana
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
Gov. Steve Bullock makes a major announcement for the second time in three days, this time issuing a stay at home directive to all Montanans, effective Saturday and extending through April 10. Then, our Maggie Dresser sits down with Laura Gardner from Job Service Kalispell to talk about how her organization is assisting those impacted by job loss in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Bullock Issues Stay at Home Directive
Federal Guidance of Essential Workforce
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Gov. Steve Bullock held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to announce that the current closures of K-12 schools, dine-in restaurants, bars and other locales will extend through at least April 10. Staff Writer Justin Franz joins the show to talk about Bullock's announcement, then we go through the latest news and cases of COVID-19 in Montana.
RELATED LINKS
Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak
Schools Prepare for New Closures
State Extends Restaurant, School Closures
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
In this episode, Explore Whitefish Executive Director Dylan Boyle joins the show to talk about how his town and others in Northwest Montana are bracing for a potential downturn in visitation this summer. In a region so dependent on tourism, restrictions on travel and fears about gathering with large crowds could be devastating to local businesses across the spectrum. Later, we provide the latest updates on the coronavirus, including two new cases in Flathead County and policy changes that could impact local jails.
LINKS
Beacon Editor's Club: https://beaconeditorsclub.com/
Explore Whitefish: https://explorewhitefish.com/
Local Law Enforcement Alters Operations: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2020/03/23/local-law-enforcement-alters-operations-pandemic/
Two New Cases Reported in Flathead County: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2020/03/23/two-new-cases-coronavirus-reported-flathead-county/
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
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Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau joins the show to talk about how his district reacted to last week's school closure and what their plans look like if and when the statewide school closures are extended beyond March 27. We also have an update on yesterday's news that Flathead County has its first two confirmed cases of coronavirus. This morning, the Flathead City-County Health Department and Kalispell Regional Healthcare held a joint press conference to discuss both cases, including one involving a KRH physician.
Get the latest updates on these stories and more at www.flatheadbeacon.com.
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
Flathead Beacon Managing Editor Myers Reece sits down for a conversation about how social service providers are responding to new challenges during the coronavirus outbreak, including local food banks and homeless shelters. Later, news breaks that Flathead County has its first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 and that one of the people sickened is a healthcare worker who had spent time at a Kalispell Regional Healthcare facility, potentially sickening other KRH staff.
Get the latest updates at www.flatheadbeacon.com.
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
The coronavirus outbreak is having a massive impact on businesses, even in the Flathead Valley. Staff Writer Maggie Dresser joins the show to talk about how the small business community is coping, then Justin Franz rejoins the show to discuss today's news that Flathead County is closing restaurants, bars and a number of other businesses to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
Senior Writer Tristan Scott spoke with Kalispell Regional Healthcare's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Doug Nelson, this morning to talk about the hospital system's preparations and some general strategies for combating coronavirus. Plus, we bring you the latest news and information related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.
Staff Writer Justin Franz joins today's show to recap everything that's happened since late Friday night, when the first four cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, were discovered in Montana. For the latest coverage in the Flathead Beacon, click this link.
The music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 3.0 License.