In this episode of News Now from the Daily Inter Lake, reporter Taylor Inman covers three major stories from around the region. In northern Idaho, a shocking attack left two firefighters dead and one injured after a transient man set a wildfire and opened fire on first responders. In the Flathead, the Bigfork Fire Department executed a dramatic rope rescue after a vehicle plunged 400 feet down Jewel Basin Road. And Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is increasing whitetail harvest quotas in the Flathead Valley in response to the spread of chronic wasting disease, marking a new chapter in the state’s wildlife management strategy.

This week's stories were written by Associated Press reporters Manuel Valdes and Lindsey Wasson, as well Daily Inter Lake reporters Jack Underhill and Taylor Inman.

A big thank you to our headline sponsor for the News Now podcast, Loren's Auto Repair! They combine skill with integrity resulting in auto service & repair of the highest caliber. Discover them in Ashley Square Mall at 1309 Hwy 2 West in Kalispell Montana, or learn more at lorensauto.com.

In Season 3 of Daily Inter Lake's Deep Dive podcast, we explore the devastating fire that struck the small town of Noxon, Montana. By the end of the day on February 27, 2024, three-quarters of the town’s business community were wiped out. Listen to the two-part story on any audio platform you prefer, or watch the series on our YouTube channel.

Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and please consider subscribing to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. And follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score, dig into stories with Deep Dive, and jam out to local musicians with Press Play.

A Jeep ended up in the Flathead River after a driver got too close to the edge at a fishing access site. No injuries were reported, but officials warn these “simple mistakes” can carry big risks.

We had boots on the ground as crews fished the Jeep out of the river, check out our footage of the scene on our YouTube channel.

Read full story by Daily Inter Lake reporter Jack Underhill.

A big thank you to our headline sponsor for the News Now podcast, Loren's Auto Repair! They combine skill with integrity resulting in auto service & repair of the highest caliber. Discover them in Ashley Square Mall at 1309 Hwy 2 West in Kalispell Montana, or learn more at lorensauto.com.

In Season 3 of Daily Inter Lake's Deep Dive podcast, we explore the devastating fire that struck the small town of Noxon, Montana. By the end of the day on February 27, 2024, three-quarters of the town’s business community were wiped out. Listen to the two-part story on any audio platform you prefer, or watch the series on our YouTube channel.

Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and please consider subscribing to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. And follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score, dig into stories with Deep Dive, and jam out to local musicians with Press Play.

This week on News Now, reporter Taylor Inman is covering major updates from around Northwest Montana. Glacier Park International Airport announces a partial closure for July 2026, with limited weekend operations due to much-needed runway repairs. In Bigfork, prosecutors file a felony vehicular homicide charge after a deadly New Year’s crash allegedly fueled by alcohol.

Plus, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes issue a fish consumption advisory along parts of the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and Blackfoot Rivers following confirmation of high contaminant levels. And in some good news, the Daily Inter Lake is named Montana’s best daily newspaper for the second year running!

Read more of this week’s stories:
Glacier Park International Airport to operate on limited hours over July 2026 for runway repairs
Woman charged in deadly New Year’s Day wreck near Bigfork
CSKT issues fish consumption warning for three rivers
Daily Inter Lake stakes claim as Montana’s best newspaper!

A big thank you to our headline sponsor for the News Now podcast, Loren's Auto Repair! They combine skill with integrity resulting in auto service & repair of the highest caliber. Discover them in Ashley Square Mall at 1309 Hwy 2 West in Kalispell Montana, or learn more at lorensauto.com.

In Season 3 of Daily Inter Lake's Deep Dive podcast, we explore the devastating fire that struck the small town of Noxon, Montana. By the end of the day on February 27, 2024, three-quarters of the town’s business community were wiped out. Listen to the two-part story on any audio platform you prefer, or watch the series on our YouTube channel.

Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and please consider subscribing to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. And follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score, dig into stories with Deep Dive, and jam out to local musicians with Press Play.

Northwest Montana is packed with summer celebrations, and this episode of News Now has your ultimate July events roundup! From the 46th annual Whitefish Arts Festival to the first-ever stadium concert at Glacier Bank Park featuring Tyler Rich, and of course, the return of Under the Big Sky Festival with headliners like Wynonna Judd, Tyler Childers, and Mumford & Sons — this is the month to mark your calendars.

We’ve also got your guide to Fourth of July parades, concerts at Home Ranch Bottoms and Sliter’s Park, family fun in Polson and Ronan, the Arlee Celebration, and so much more. Whether you're in the mood for art, music, rodeo, or fireworks — we’ve got your plans covered.

Learn more about our featured events for this week's episode:
Whitefish Arts Festival on July 4-6 - https://www.whitefishartsfestival.org/
Tyler Rich at Glacier Bank Park on July 11th - https://www.glacierbankpark.com/event...
Outriders Present Under the Big Sky on July 18-20 -

A big thank you to our headline sponsor for the News Now podcast, Loren's Auto Repair! They combine skill with integrity resulting in auto service & repair of the highest caliber. Discover them in Ashley Square Mall at 1309 Hwy 2 West in Kalispell Montana, or learn more at lorensauto.com.

In Season 3 of Daily Inter Lake's Deep Dive podcast, we explore the devastating fire that struck the small town of Noxon, Montana. By the end of the day on February 27, 2024, three-quarters of the town’s business community were wiped out. Listen to the two-part story on any audio platform you prefer, or watch the series on our YouTube channel.

Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and please consider subscribing to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. And follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score, dig into stories with Deep Dive, and jam out to local musicians with Press Play.

In this episode of News Now from the Daily Inter Lake, reporter Taylor Inman breaks down three major stories making headlines across Northwest Montana. First, Governor Greg Gianforte signs a controversial new law in Evergreen aimed at cracking down on illegal hiring practices — a move supporters say will protect local workers and opponents worry may fuel immigration enforcement tensions.

We also cover the sentencing of Derrick Jackson, who was handed 100 years in prison for his role in a 2022 double homicide in Bigfork. Finally, a 'No Kings' protest in downtown Kalispell sees over 2,000 participants, five arrests, and one serious injury after a pedestrian was struck during the demonstration.

Read more of this week’s show:
Gianforte signs law cracking down on illegal hiring during stop in Evergreen |
Man convicted of murder in Bigfork double homicide case given 100 years prison time
Five arrested and one injured in largely peaceful “No Kings” protest in Kalispell

Read more local and state coverage:
A taste of home: Los Pingüinos combines traditional Mexican cuisine with fine dining techniques
Glacier National Park visitors delighted by full Sun Road opening
Work

A big thank you to our headline sponsor for the News Now podcast, Loren's Auto Repair! They combine skill with integrity resulting in auto service & repair of the highest caliber. Discover them in Ashley Square Mall at 1309 Hwy 2 West in Kalispell Montana, or learn more at lorensauto.com.

In Season 3 of Daily Inter Lake's Deep Dive podcast, we explore the devastating fire that struck the small town of Noxon, Montana. By the end of the day on February 27, 2024, three-quarters of the town’s business community were wiped out. Listen to the two-part story on any audio platform you prefer, or watch the series on our YouTube channel.

Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and please consider subscribing to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. And follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score, dig into stories with Deep Dive, and jam out to local musicians with Press Play.

Montana’s water crisis worsens as Flathead Lake is projected to fall three feet below full pool by August, threatening docks and recreation access. Daily Inter Lake reporter Taylor Inman also breaks down the Montana Supreme Court’s major decision to overturn 2021 abortion restrictions, reaffirming the state’s constitutional right to privacy. Plus, Glacier National Park officials euthanize a food-conditioned black bear, and close part of Going-to-the-Sun Road after a second bear snags a tourist’s snack. We’ve got the full rundown on what these stories mean to Northwest Montana.

Read more from this week’s show:
New forecast sinks summer lake level to historic low
State Supreme Court strikes down 2021 abortion restrictions
Glacier Park officials kill one of two food-conditioned bears

A big thank you to our headline sponsor for the News Now podcast, Loren's Auto Repair! They combine skill with integrity resulting in auto service & repair of the highest caliber. Discover them in Ashley Square Mall at 1309 Hwy 2 West in Kalispell Montana, or learn more at lorensauto.com.

In Season 3 of Daily Inter Lake's Deep Dive podcast, we explore the devastating fire that struck the small town of Noxon, Montana. By the end of the day on February 27, 2024, three-quarters of the town’s business community were wiped out. Listen to the two-part story on any audio platform you prefer, or watch the series on our YouTube channel.

Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and please consider subscribing to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. And follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score, dig into stories with Deep Dive, and jam out to local musicians with Press Play.

Glacier’s iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road opens Monday, June 16th, but you’ll need to plan ahead. We break down timed entry rules, shuttle tips, bike restrictions, and bear safety in under 5 minutes to keep your summer adventure stress-free.

Complete information on timed entry vehicle reservations can be found online at https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/vehicle-reservations.htm

A big thank you to our headline sponsor for the News Now podcast, Loren's Auto Repair! They combine skill with integrity resulting in auto service & repair of the highest caliber. Discover them in Ashley Square Mall at 1309 Hwy 2 West in Kalispell Montana, or learn more at lorensauto.com.

In Season 3 of Daily Inter Lake's Deep Dive podcast, we explore the devastating fire that struck the small town of Noxon, Montana. By the end of the day on February 27, 2024, three-quarters of the town’s business community were wiped out. Listen to the two-part story on any audio platform you prefer, or watch the series on our YouTube channel.

Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and please consider subscribing to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. And follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score, dig into stories with Deep Dive, and jam out to local musicians with Press Play.