Montana Snowpack Surges, Grizzly Protections Debate, and Animal Cruelty Case Update

This week’s top stories in Northwest Montana, reporter Taylor Inman highlights shifting weather patterns, legal updates, and wildlife protections. The region’s mountain snowpack is well above average, signaling potential drought relief, while Kalispell faces its fourth warmest December on record. Federal wildlife officials announce continued grizzly bear protections amid pushback from some states, stirring debate on balancing species recovery with human conflicts. Plus, a Libby man pleads not guilty to animal cruelty charges in a case involving two emaciated dogs. Join us as we unpack these important stories shaping our community and beyond.

Read more from this week’s show:
Northwest Montana snowpack trending ahead of normal
U.S. will keep protecting more than 2,000 Rocky Mountain grizzly bears
Libby man pleads not guilty to animal cruelty charges

Read more local and state coverage:
Whitefish ski resort sets holiday visitation record
Steamboat Landing subdivision heads back to county planning board
Suspected meth dealer back behind bars
Kalispell to curb parking on section of Fifth Avenue West 

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.

Check out Season 2 of Daily Inter Lake's Deep Dive podcast, dropping on 10/27/24! Reporter Kate Heston presents a four-part series on the Endangered Species Act, exploring the species most at-risk in northwest Montana. Discover how the law has helped some recover from near extinction and the challenges when federal and state protections overlap.

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