News Now

Daily Inter Lake
  • 5.0 (7)
  • DAILY NEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Stay informed with the Daily Inter Lake's News Now podcast—your source for the latest headlines and breaking news from Flathead Valley and Northwest Montana. From boots on the ground interviews to local events, we keep you connected to the heart of your community. Brought to you by Northwest Montana’s longest-running daily newspaper: dailyinterlake.com. Explore more from the Daily Inter Lake’s podcast network! Deep Dive brings you in-depth stories from across our area. Keeping Score delivers a front row seat to Northwest Montana sports. And Press Play spotlights Montana musicians, featuring interviews and live performances.

  1. 2D AGO

    "Cocaine Fairy" Plea, Montana Exile, Avalanche Alerts & Election Showdowns

    Northwest Montana’s wildest headlines are front and center this week on News Now with your host Taylor Inman. We lead with the conclusion of a massive Flathead Valley crime spree as Michael Ray Downing, the man infamously dubbed the "Cocaine Fairy" by local law enforcement, reaches a plea deal following his arrest for a string of burglaries totaling over $1 million in stolen property. Downing’s legal saga comes to a head alongside the bizarre case of Dustin Lawrence Oswald, who was recently sentenced to a suspended jail term and legally ordered to leave the state of Montana forever after threatening an officer during a public urination arrest in Whitefish. The episode shifts to urgent safety news as the Flathead Avalanche Center warns of "high" avalanche danger across the Whitefish, Swan, and Flathead ranges following a series of storms that have left the backcountry snowpack in a "touchy" and dangerous state. We also dive into local environmental efforts in Polson, where the Flathead Lakers and Polson Bay Golf Course are launching a $150,000 public-private partnership to combat E. coli and algal blooms impacting Flathead Lake’s water quality. In political news, we break down the heating intraparty competition in Northwest Montana as the candidate filing period reveals major Republican primary showdowns for the state House, Senate, and Public Service Commission. Finally, we celebrate local storytelling with a look at two documentaries filmed on the Flathead Indian Reservation, "The Water Keepers" and "Paving the Way," which are currently contending for the prestigious Big Sky Award at the 2026 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. 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. This summer, we followed the Brist family from their fifth-generation Montana farm to the bright lights of the Northwest Montana Fair. From early morning chores to the intensity of the show ring, their journey shows the hard work, tradition, and bittersweet goodbyes that come with raising livestock. Discover Season 4 of our Deep Dive podcast, From Farm to Fair — coming Sunday, September 21st!  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.

    14 min
  2. St. Patty’s, Rockhounds, & Blues: Your Ultimate March Guide to the Flathead!

    3D AGO

    St. Patty’s, Rockhounds, & Blues: Your Ultimate March Guide to the Flathead!

    Wondering how to fill your March dance card in Montana? Whether you are wishing for an early spring or praying for one last dump of snow, the Daily Inter Lake’s Local Events Podcast is here to help you navigate a wildcard month of festivals and fun. Join host Melissa Wells as she previews the top-tier events hitting Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls. Don your green for the 5th Annual Cloverfest on Saturday, March 15th, featuring a new location at the Columbia Falls Junior High School. For an admission fee of $10 per person or $30 for a family, you can enjoy a 5K run, a carnival in the school gym, live Irish dancing, and local food trucks. Visit Columbia Falls' Chamber of Commerce's website for the full list of events and register for races! The 19th Annual Gold, Gem and Mineral Show takes over the Northwest Montana Fairgrounds on March 15th and 16th with vendors, live demos, and a special Kids' Corner. Hosted by the Northwest Montana Rock Chucks, this family-friendly event costs only $5 for the entire weekend, and children 12 and under get in for free. Get the full scoop on all these events and more! Browse and plan your month at DailyInterLake.com/events. 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. This summer, we followed the Brist family from their fifth-generation Montana farm to the bright lights of the Northwest Montana Fair. From early morning chores to the intensity of the show ring, their journey shows the hard work, tradition, and bittersweet goodbyes that come with raising livestock. Discover Season 4 of our Deep Dive podcast, From Farm to Fair — coming Sunday, September 21st!  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.

    8 min
  3. Glacier National Park Access Updates, 2026 Economic Forecast & BNSF Lawsuit Verdict

    FEB 21

    Glacier National Park Access Updates, 2026 Economic Forecast & BNSF Lawsuit Verdict

    Host Taylor Inman details the major shifts coming to Northwest Montana this year, starting with a significant overhaul of visitor access in Glacier National Park. As the park officially ends its vehicle reservation system, officials are introducing a new ticketed shuttle service and a three-hour parking limit at Logan Pass to manage congestion. We also look at the extensive construction schedule for 2026, including utility and road projects at Two Medicine and St. Mary that will result in seasonal closures. The episode also breaks down the 2026 Economic Outlook for the region. Despite a national "no hire, no fire" economy, Flathead County continues to lead Montana in employment growth, fueled by persistent in-migration and a rebounding multi-family housing market. Finally, we cover a $2.3 million jury award in a personal injury lawsuit against BNSF Railway involving a longtime Whitefish engineer, marking a major legal conclusion to a three-year battle. 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. This summer, we followed the Brist family from their fifth-generation Montana farm to the bright lights of the Northwest Montana Fair. From early morning chores to the intensity of the show ring, their journey shows the hard work, tradition, and bittersweet goodbyes that come with raising livestock. Discover Season 4 of our Deep Dive podcast, From Farm to Fair — coming Sunday, September 21st!  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.

    11 min
  4. Olympic Results, New River Rules, MT Protests & Arena Sale

    FEB 14

    Olympic Results, New River Rules, MT Protests & Arena Sale

    This week on News Now, reporter Taylor Inman breaks down six of the Flathead Valley’s biggest and most talked-about stories, from the world stage in Italy to the banks of the Flathead River. We celebrate Libby native Konnor Ralph’s incredible 9th-place finish at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics and preview his upcoming Big Air qualifiers. We also dive into the first major update to the Flathead River Management Plan in 40 years, which includes a new mandatory permit system. Plus, we cover the Ronan High School student walkout, the historic sale of the Majestic Valley Arena (and an upcoming Paul Cauthen concert!), the dismissal of the Cheyenne Autumn Leaf felony case, and a critical update on our local snowpack levels. 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. This summer, we followed the Brist family from their fifth-generation Montana farm to the bright lights of the Northwest Montana Fair. From early morning chores to the intensity of the show ring, their journey shows the hard work, tradition, and bittersweet goodbyes that come with raising livestock. Discover Season 4 of our Deep Dive podcast, From Farm to Fair — coming Sunday, September 21st!  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.

    12 min
  5. Glacier National Park Displays Removed, Local Land Battles, Debates & Winter Carnival Highlights

    FEB 7

    Glacier National Park Displays Removed, Local Land Battles, Debates & Winter Carnival Highlights

    This week on News Now, reporter Taylor Inman breaks down six of the Flathead Valley’s biggest and most talked-about stories — from federal policy changes at Glacier National Park to heated local land-use decisions and community highlights. We begin with Glacier National Park removing interpretive displays following a federal directive, raising questions about how public lands tell history and whose voices are represented. From there, we dive into a controversial decision approving a Lakeside marina dock extension, despite widespread public opposition, and examine why county officials moved forward anyway. The episode also covers a Montana Supreme Court ruling that clears the way for the Happy’s Inn RV park, along with a proposed lease at Polson Bay Golf Course that could reshape public access and future development. We then shift gears to community news, including the Whitefish Winter Carnival parade, featuring a surprise appearance by a NASA astronaut, before closing with standout performances at the Class AA State Speech and Debate Tournament. Read these full stories on dailyinterlake.com: Glacier National Park podcast, displays axed under Trump directive | Hungry Horse News  Word for word: Flathead wins second, Glacier third at state speech championship | Daily Inter Lake  Flathead County OKs resort's 159-foot marina dock in Lakeside | Daily Inter Lake  State Supreme Court rules in favor of county, developer | Western News  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. This summer, we followed the Brist family from their fifth-generation Montana farm to the bright lights of the Northwest Montana Fair. From early morning chores to the intensity of the show ring, their journey shows the hard work, tradition, and bittersweet goodbyes that come with raising livestock. Discover Season 4 of our Deep Dive podcast, From Farm to Fair — coming Sunday, September 21st!  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.

    17 min
  6. McDonald’s Refusal in Ronan, $4M Felony Arrest, Community Resilience, Airport Security Expansion

    JAN 31

    McDonald’s Refusal in Ronan, $4M Felony Arrest, Community Resilience, Airport Security Expansion

    In this episode of News Now, host Taylor Inman breaks down the most significant headlines impacting Northwest Montana. We dive into the viral incident at the Ronan McDonald’s involving the Browning High School wrestling team, exploring the owners' response, and the community’s outpouring of support following the refusal of service. We also cover a major public safety win as the Whitefish Police Department apprehends a suspect wanted on multi-million-dollar out-of-state felony warrants. Courtesy of the Hungry Horse News, we’ll hear a heartfelt speech from the Columbia Falls Cross Country Coach, during a fundraiser for a member who suffered life-threatening injuries from a recent wreck. Finally, learn why Glacier Park International Airport is increasing security with permanent Flathead County Sheriff deputies on-site. 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. This summer, we followed the Brist family from their fifth-generation Montana farm to the bright lights of the Northwest Montana Fair. From early morning chores to the intensity of the show ring, their journey shows the hard work, tradition, and bittersweet goodbyes that come with raising livestock. Discover Season 4 of our Deep Dive podcast, From Farm to Fair — coming Sunday, September 21st!  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.

    11 min
  7. Alleged Slingshot Attack, 100-Year Landmark Lost, Grizzly Bear Killing, Kratom Regulation

    JAN 24

    Alleged Slingshot Attack, 100-Year Landmark Lost, Grizzly Bear Killing, Kratom Regulation

    This week on News Now, Daily Inter Lake host Taylor Inman breaks down the biggest headlines shaping northwest Montana. We begin in Flathead County, where a 34-year-old man faces a felony criminal endangerment charge after allegedly shooting out a vehicle window on U.S. Highway 2 near Hungry Horse. Court documents detail the arrest, the unusual weapons investigators say were found, and what comes next as the case heads to arraignment. Next, we look at the devastating fire that destroyed the Cattle Baron Supper Club in Babb — a family-run landmark with more than a century of history just outside Glacier National Park. Owners Bob and Charlene Burns recount how the blaze spread during extreme winds, the massive regional firefighting response, and their hopes to rebuild after losing a piece of Blackfeet and community history. We also examine the illegal killing of a federally protected grizzly bear in northern Idaho near the Montana border. With the Cabinet-Yaak grizzly population already among the most imperiled in the Lower 48, wildlife officials explain why the death of a single female could set recovery efforts back years — and why the reward for information now stands at $15,000. Finally, state lawmakers grapple with how to regulate kratom in Montana. With no current statewide restrictions and growing concern over synthetic products, legislators debate public safety risks, failed legislation, and what — if anything — can be done before the 2027 session. 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. This summer, we followed the Brist family from their fifth-generation Montana farm to the bright lights of the Northwest Montana Fair. From early morning chores to the intensity of the show ring, their journey shows the hard work, tradition, and bittersweet goodbyes that come with raising livestock. Discover Season 4 of our Deep Dive podcast, From Farm to Fair — coming Sunday, September 21st!  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.

    10 min
  8. February in the Flathead: Skijoring, Cabin Fever Days & Whitefish Winter Carnival

    JAN 20

    February in the Flathead: Skijoring, Cabin Fever Days & Whitefish Winter Carnival

    February in the Flathead Valley is anything but quiet. From horsepower-meets-ski power at the 20th anniversary of Whitefish Skijoring to the rowdy barstool races of Cabin Fever Days, this month delivers some of Montana’s most iconic winter traditions. We break down everything happening across the valley in February — including the Whitefish Winter Carnival, live music, theater, speaker series, dance showcases, and community fundraisers. Whether you’re planning your weekends or looking for a reason to get out of the house, this guide has you covered with dates, highlights, and can’t-miss experiences that define winter in Northwest Montana. The 20th annual Whitefish Skijoring weekend returns February 14–15, 2026, at 1530 W. Springcreek Road in Kalispell. Tickets are on sale now for one of Montana’s most electric winter traditions packed with speed, stunts, and spectacle. View the full schedule and purchase tickets at whitefishskijoring.org. Find all the events listed in this episode (and more!) at dailyinterlake.com/events/ and flatheadtickets.com 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. This summer, we followed the Brist family from their fifth-generation Montana farm to the bright lights of the Northwest Montana Fair. From early morning chores to the intensity of the show ring, their journey shows the hard work, tradition, and bittersweet goodbyes that come with raising livestock. Discover Season 4 of our Deep Dive podcast, From Farm to Fair — coming Sunday, September 21st!  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.

    8 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Stay informed with the Daily Inter Lake's News Now podcast—your source for the latest headlines and breaking news from Flathead Valley and Northwest Montana. From boots on the ground interviews to local events, we keep you connected to the heart of your community. Brought to you by Northwest Montana’s longest-running daily newspaper: dailyinterlake.com. Explore more from the Daily Inter Lake’s podcast network! Deep Dive brings you in-depth stories from across our area. Keeping Score delivers a front row seat to Northwest Montana sports. And Press Play spotlights Montana musicians, featuring interviews and live performances.

Information

  • Channel
    Daily Inter Lake
  • Creator
    Daily Inter Lake
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    250
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 News Now
  • Show Website
    News Now

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