June in the Flathead: Festivals, Live Music & Can't-Miss Events

Going-to-the-Sun Road Opens, Wildfire Season Warning & Glacier Signs Ordered Restored

This week, host Taylor Inman covers five major stories shaping Northwest Montana - from a long-awaited road opening in Glacier National Park to a federal court order reversing the Trump Administration's removal of interpretive signs across national parks nationwide. Going-to-the-Sun Road is opening to vehicles on June 22 — and this year, no vehicle reservations are required. Taylor breaks down everything you need to know, from Logan Pass parking limits to new bicycle restrictions and shuttle schedules running July through September. Meteorologists and climate scientists are warning that an El Niño weather pattern is setting Northwest Montana up for an elevated wildfire risk this August and September. Low snowpack at lower elevations, early melt, and incoming heat waves have fire prevention specialists urging residents to prepare now. Free meals are available this summer to all youth 18 and under across Flathead County — no registration, income verification, or ID required. Taylor has the full rundown of sites across Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Whitefish, Evergreen and more. After more than 25 years serving patients affected by Libby Amphibole asbestos exposure, the CARD Clinic in Libby will close at the end of August after federal grant funding was not renewed. Sixteen employees will be affected, and the clinic intends to continue services through August 31. And in a significant ruling, a federal judge in Massachusetts has ordered Glacier National Park — and national parks across the country — to restore interpretive signs, podcasts, films, and other materials removed under a Trump Administration executive order last year. The order covers climate change signage, Indigenous history, wolf hunting information, and more, and gives the Park Service 21 days to comply. 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 https://lorensauto.com/ [https://lorensauto.com/] Today's episode is also brought to you by Vista Ridge Cottages in Kalispell. Featuring modern home designs, scenic mountain views, and amenities curated for Montana living, Vista Ridge is where comfort and community come together. Call 406-261-2150 or visit https://vistaridgecottages.com/ [https://vistaridgecottages.com/] to schedule your tour today. Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support [https://dailyinterlake.com/support] Visit DailyInterLake.com [https://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 [https://dailyinterlake.com/subscribe/] to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL629PKM7Kk3p9ZZLnvhtY2ikWRV_ybGBX]. And follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dailyinterlake], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dailyinterlake/] and X [https://twitter.com/Dailyinterlake]. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us [https://dailyinterlake.com/contact-us/]! Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2365971], dig into stories with Deep Dive [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366038], and jam out to local musicians with Press Play [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366043].

Rafting Accident, Whitefish Landmark Changes Hands & Major Montana Investigations

A miraculous rescue on the Middle Fork River, the future of one of Whitefish’s most iconic bars, leadership turmoil inside a Montana school district, allegations of a six-figure church theft, and a Kalispell man facing serious criminal charges headline this week’s News Now. In this episode, Daily Inter Lake reporter Taylor Inman breaks down the biggest stories shaping Northwest Montana. Hear the latest on a 17-year-old Ohio girl who survived after being submerged in the Middle Fork River for nearly 10 minutes, the local investors who stepped in to preserve the historic Great Northern Bar & Grill, and the ongoing shakeups inside the Hot Springs School District. We also examine a major fraud case involving more than $150,000 allegedly taken from a Eureka church and the latest developments surrounding a Kalispell man accused of assaulting his mother while already facing charges connected to the vandalism of a wildfire-fighting helicopter. 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 https://lorensauto.com/ [https://lorensauto.com/] Today's episode is also brought to you by Vista Ridge Cottages in Kalispell. Featuring modern home designs, scenic mountain views, and amenities curated for Montana living, Vista Ridge is where comfort and community come together. Call 406-261-2150 or visit https://vistaridgecottages.com/ [https://vistaridgecottages.com/] to schedule your tour today. Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support [https://dailyinterlake.com/support] Visit DailyInterLake.com [https://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 [https://dailyinterlake.com/subscribe/] to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL629PKM7Kk3p9ZZLnvhtY2ikWRV_ybGBX]. And follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dailyinterlake], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dailyinterlake/] and X [https://twitter.com/Dailyinterlake]. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us [https://dailyinterlake.com/contact-us/]! Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2365971], dig into stories with Deep Dive [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366038], and jam out to local musicians with Press Play [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366043].

Grizzly Attack at Glacier, Primary Election Results & Airport Closure

This week in Northwest Montana, host Taylor Inman breaks down the headlines you need to know - from a frightening grizzly bear encounter on one of Glacier National Park's most popular trails to a primary election that reshuffled the political landscape across Flathead County. A hiker was airlifted to Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell after a surprise grizzly encounter on the Grinnell Glacier Trail - the second bear incident in Glacier National Park in less than a month, following a fatal attack on the Mount Brown Trail in early May. Taylor covers trail closures, safety reminders, and everything we know about both incidents. Tuesday's primary election brought big wins and surprising upsets across Northwest Montana. Incumbent Rep. Courtenay Sprunger held her seat in House District 7, Sheriff Brian Heino cruised to an uncontested November run, and Sheena Sterling flipped the Flathead County Clerk and Recorder race - all while razor-thin margins in Whitefish-area districts signal a highly competitive general election ahead. And if you're planning a summer trip to the Flathead Valley, you need to hear this. Glacier Park International Airport is suspending service for several weeks this July for runway repairs, Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle reservations are now required, and Whitefish Mountain Resort is navigating a slower-than-expected booking season. Here's what locals and visitors need to know before they hit the road. A big thank you to our headline sponsor for the News Now podcast, Loren's Auto Repair [https://lorensauto.com/]! 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 [https://lorensauto.com/]. Today's episode is also brought to you by Vista Ridge Cottages [https://vistaridgecottages.com/] in Kalispell. Featuring modern home designs, scenic mountain views, and amenities curated for Montana living, Vista Ridge is where comfort and community come together. Call 406-261-2150 [tel:4062612150] or visit VistaRidgeCottages.com [https://vistaridgecottages.com/] to schedule your tour today. Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support [https://dailyinterlake.com/support] Visit DailyInterLake.com [https://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 [https://dailyinterlake.com/subscribe/] to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL629PKM7Kk3p9ZZLnvhtY2ikWRV_ybGBX]. And follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dailyinterlake], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dailyinterlake/] and X [https://twitter.com/Dailyinterlake]. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us [https://dailyinterlake.com/contact-us/]! Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2365971], dig into stories with Deep Dive [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366038], and jam out to local musicians with Press Play [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366043].

Dreamers & Doers: The Stories Putting Northwest Montana on the Map

This week on News Now, host Taylor Inman dives into some of the best feature stories coming out of Northwest Montana - and this episode has everything from reality TV to community pride to a kid businessman who's already shipping products nationwide. Kalispell pitmaster Stephen Kina of 406 BBQ is competing on the Food Network's brand-new series Chopped Castaways - an eight-episode island survival cooking competition with a $100,000 grand prize. Kina shares how his military background, Hawaiian roots, and love of fire cooking carried him into one of the most challenging experiences of his life, and why he's proud to represent both Montana and Hawaii on the national stage. Then, we take a look inside Two Eagle River School's 24th Annual Art Slam, a vibrant celebration of Indigenous student creativity featuring original paintings, beadwork, poetry, song, and unforgettable performances from the heart of Lake County. Meet retired Kalispell firefighter Alan "Gus" Gustafson - the self-appointed keeper of the Kalispell Fire Department's history. Now 80 years old and more than two decades into retirement, Gus is still on the hunt for lost artifacts, driving a 1925 American LaFrance fire engine, and training the next generation of historians to carry on the legacy. And finally, Duke Rauscher, a Kalispell Middle School student, just won a statewide entrepreneurship award for Rapid Fire Montana - his eco-friendly fire starter business he launched at age 9 and is already shipping across the country. Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support [https://dailyinterlake.com/support] Visit DailyInterLake.com [https://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 [https://dailyinterlake.com/subscribe/] to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL629PKM7Kk3p9ZZLnvhtY2ikWRV_ybGBX]. And follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dailyinterlake], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dailyinterlake/] and X [https://twitter.com/Dailyinterlake]. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us [https://dailyinterlake.com/contact-us/]! Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2365971], dig into stories with Deep Dive [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366038], and jam out to local musicians with Press Play [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366043].

June in the Flathead: Festivals, Live Music & Can't-Miss Events

Summer is knocking at the door here in the Flathead Valley, and June is stacked with live music, art openings, cultural events, and free family fun. In this month's local events roundup, we're breaking down everything happening in Whitefish and Kalispell so you don't miss a single beat. This episode covers: Stumptown Get Down (June 6) — Balkan Bump headlines Whitefish's Depot Park with global electronic sounds, DJ Trayze, and local opener Dan Dubuque Tab Benoit's Soul of the Swamp Tour (June 5) — Multi-Grammy nominee brings the bayou to the Wachholz College Center Broadway star Capathia Jenkins live at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center (June 13) Whitefish Gallery Nights — First Thursdays all summer long Wildfire Preparedness Forum at FVCC (June 9) Surfbat new album release show at the Palace Bar (June 12) Triple feature on June 18: Glacier Art Museum, NW Montana History Museum + Wachholz open house in Kalispell, AND country legend Pam Tillis at O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish Levi Bloom live at Snowline Acres (June 24) 14th Annual Whitefish Woody Weekend — FREE family event (June 26) Music of Dolly Parton, Whitefish Summer Concert Series (June 26) Use promo code MISO for a discount on Stumptown Get Down tickets at https://www.flatheadtickets.com/ [https://www.flatheadtickets.com/] Whether you're a lifelong Flathead Valley local or new to Northwest Montana, this is your ultimate guide to the best things to do in June. Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support [https://dailyinterlake.com/support] Visit DailyInterLake.com [https://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 [https://dailyinterlake.com/subscribe/] to us. Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL629PKM7Kk3p9ZZLnvhtY2ikWRV_ybGBX]. And follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dailyinterlake], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dailyinterlake/] and X [https://twitter.com/Dailyinterlake]. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us [https://dailyinterlake.com/contact-us/]! Subscribe to all our other DIL pods! Keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping Score [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2365971], dig into stories with Deep Dive [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366038], and jam out to local musicians with Press Play [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366043].