Missoula Area News

When it comes to headline news, you can get your Missoula Fix right here. Our staff hand-selects the top recent headlines from worthwhile local media outlets and publishes them via RSS.

Democrat Baucus warns: More to come out on IRS scandal | WashingtonExaminer.com

May 18, 2013

Senior Democratic Sen. Max Baucus, who recently slapped Obamacare as a "train wreck," believes that the IRS scandal is just beginning and that "a lot more" damaging information will be revealed, likely at congressional hearings.

Great Falls video-game developers making progress on 'Burst' | Great Falls Tribune | greatfallstribune.com

May 18, 2013

Add-A-Tudez Entertainment Co., the Great Falls video-game development company established by Josh and Trevor Hughes, showed the public Thursday their latest build of “Burst,” the rhythm-based 3-D game.

Judge Laments Barry Beach’s Return to Prison | Flathead Beacon

May 18, 2013

A Montana judge said he fears he's done a "soul-wrenching injustice" to a man he freed from prison after more than 27 years, only to see him ordered back behind bars by a higher court.

University of Montana Student Body President Asa Hohman Responds to Broadway Option for Missoula College Campus Location

May 18, 2013

Yesterday, May 16, the University of Montana revealed that it was considering a location on East Broadway for the planned Missoula College rather than the much debated south campus location, which is on the university golf course.

Daines: "Obamacare is a bad law, plain and simple" | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 18, 2013

Just this week the House voted for the 37th time to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. According to a 2012 CBS News report the U.S. House of Representatives has spent nearly 50 million dollars attempting to repeal federal health reform. Last year after the 33rd vote CBS News calculated that lawmakers spent more than 2 weeks trying to overturn the major health care law.

Discouraging weather won't damper UM graduation | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 18, 2013

It might be a good idea to waterproof those caps and gowns. Commencement at the University of Montana could have some rain issues.

Flathead’s Jobless Rate Falls to 8.4 Percent | Flathead Beacon

May 18, 2013

Flathead County’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 8.4 percent in April, a full percentage point lower than a month earlier. Meanwhile, the statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate ticked down to 5.5 percent from 5.6 percent in March.

This Week's Missoula News Highlights - Week of May 13

May 17, 2013

A run down of the most talked about stories in Missoula this week: Alleged Drunk Driver Kills One Pedestrian and Injures Another, Wildfire Season is Off to an Early Start, MT Supreme Court Denies Beach a New Trial, & More.

Weather Forecast : Rainy weekend ahead | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 17, 2013

Friday is looking wet mainly for portions of southwest Montana. Expect steady light rain throughout the day with the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures will sit slightly below average in the low 60s. The showers will move into northwest Montana starting late tonight.

UM graduation ceremonies set for Saturday | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 17, 2013

Nearly 3,000 graduates and degree candidates have been invited to take part in the University of Montana's 116th Commencement ceremonies, which will be held on Saturday, May 18, in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

UM looking at second possible site for Missoula College | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 17, 2013

The University of Montana made a surprise announcement on Thursday afternoon, saying it's now considering a different place to build the new Missoula College.

Smaller Northwest Cherry Crop Expected this Year | Flathead Beacon

May 17, 2013

Northwest cherry growers expect a 2013 crop of 18 million boxes, well short of last year's record 23 million boxes, but the average cherry size should be larger and the harvest is expected to start sooner.

Pickup Hits Two Missoula Pedestrians, Killing One | Flathead Beacon

May 17, 2013

A pickup driven by a suspected drunken driver struck two sisters as they walked along a Missoula sidewalk, killing one and injuring the other.

House Speaker Blasts IRS; Holder Set to Testify | Flathead Beacon

May 16, 2013

As the investigation into the IRS' targeting of conservative political groups widens, House Speaker John Boehner says he has a question: "Who's going to jail over this scandal?"

Development Heats Up for Summer | Flathead Beacon

May 16, 2013

For the better part of last decade, the summer months were marked with the large presence of tourists and bulldozers, tokens of two vital industries in the Flathead Valley. Tourism and construction provided jobs, an infusion of outside money and fuel for other growth. And then in 2008, construction dwindled to historic lows in the economic hub of Flathead County and the largest marketplace in Northwest Montana.

Baucus urged IRS to target conservative groups in 2010 | The Daily Caller

May 16, 2013

Democratic Montana Senator Max Baucus is leading an investigation into why the Internal Revenue Service targeted conservative nonprofit groups for extra scrutiny despite the fact that Baucus once wrote a letter urging the IRS to do exactly that.

High court strikes order for new Barry Beach trial - SFGate

May 16, 2013

The Montana Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a judge was wrong to release Barry Beach from prison two years ago and order a new trial in the 1979 slaying of a teenage girl for which he was convicted.

Barry Beach in custody | KTVQ.com | Q2 | Billings, Montana

May 16, 2013

Barry Beach will be back in the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge Wednesday.

Weather Forecast: Spring weather continues | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 16, 2013

We will see mostly cloudy skies on Thursday with temperatures in the low to mid 60s. Expect off and on showers throughout the day with possible thunderstorms this afternoon.

DOJ, Missoula Police Settle Over Sexual Assaults | Flathead Beacon

May 16, 2013

The Missoula Police Department has agreed to improve the way it responds to and investigates reports of sexual assault after a yearlong investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice found that some investigative practices made it more difficult to uncover the truth and discouraged women from cooperating.

Specifics in DOJ agreement call for full review and tracking of MPD sex assault changes | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 16, 2013

While the agreement between the Department of Justice and the City of Missoula bears many similarities to last week's settlement with the University of Montana, there are also some distinct orders the city will have to follow.

Trumaine Johnson pleads guilty to lesser charge after DUI arrest | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 16, 2013

A former University of Montana football player who now plays for the St. Louis Rams pled guilty to a lesser charge after being arrested for DUI in March.

Changing of the guard on MCPS school board underway | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 15, 2013

The new Missoula school trustees were officially welcomed to their new seats on Tuesday evening, after last week's tumultuous election.

Fish Wildlife and Parks Warns Missoulians to Stay Out of Swollen Rivers and Streams [AUDIO]

May 15, 2013

Unseasonably warm weather and recent heavy rain have brought Missoula area rivers and streams to very high levels. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Fishing Site Access Coordinator Chet Crowser said on Tuesday, that its just too risky to be out on the water floating or rafting right now.

University of Montana Commencement is This Saturday at Washington Grizzly Stadium [AUDIO]

May 15, 2013

Students will walk to the stage and accept their diplomas during commencement exercises at The University of Montana’s Washington Grizzly Stadium. The 116th commencement ceremony is Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m.

Missoula’s Danny Blower’s Insurance Agency Struck by Vehicle, Perhaps Intentionally

May 15, 2013

At 5:54 p.m. Tuesday May 14, a vehicle crashed into the side of Danny Blower’s Insurance Agency in Missoula. Police and medical care were on the scene shortly afterward.

Tuesday evening Montana news headlines | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 15, 2013

Tuesday Evening Headline News.

Driver rams Missoula building - three times | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 15, 2013

Missoula Police aren't sure yet why a man in a small SUV slammed into a building three times on Tuesday evening.

Barry Beach in shock over MT Supreme Court decision | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 15, 2013

Barry Beach was denied a new trial on Tuesday by the Montana Supreme Court and could soon be heading back to prison. Beach told MTN News that he's shocked by the decision.

Weather Forecast - Cooler weather continues | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 15, 2013

The first half of Wednesday is looking dry. We will see temperatures sitting about 5 degrees above normal. Expect highs in the upper 60s and low 70s with partly cloudy skies.

A Brewing Renaissance | Flathead Beacon

May 15, 2013

In the back of Chris Neill’s workshop, tanks, kegs and fermenters are stashed in corners waiting for the day Homestead Ales opens. Power tools used to build the taproom are out with thermometers used to make the beer. And hanging from a chalkboard is a small cardboard sign that reads, “Will Work For Beer.”

Warning to Be Cautious When Donating to Assist Cleveland Kidnap Victims From Better Business Bureau [AUDIO]

May 14, 2013

Whenever a tragedy like the ordeal of the three women who were kidnapped and sexually assaulted for over a decade in Cleveland, Ohio receives national media attention, generous people want to help the victims financially.

Missoula City Council Recognizes Soverignty of Salish and Kootenai Tribes at Special Meeting [AUDIO]

May 14, 2013

At a special Committee of the Whole on Monday, the Missoula City Council held a joint meeting with leadership from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to proclaim May 13, 2013 as Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Day.

Governor asks business leaders to lead project seeking ideas for job creation, economy growth

May 14, 2013

Montana — Gov. Steve Bullock said Monday that two business leaders will scour the state for ways the government can improve the job creation environment for the private sector.

Still waiting | News | Missoula Independent

May 14, 2013

Thirty years ago, Canadian-born Ronald Smith was sentenced to death after pleading guilty to the kidnapping and murder of Thomas Running Rabbit Jr. and Harvey Mad Man Jr.

Exxon challenges $1.7 million in penalties from crude spill into Montana's Yellowstone River

May 14, 2013

Exxon Mobil Corp. is challenging $1.7 million in penalties proposed by federal safety regulators who faulted the oil company over a 63,000-gallon crude oil spill into the Yellowstone River, according to documents released Monday by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Evacuations remain in place as wildfire burns near Philipsburg | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 14, 2013

Evacuations remain in place as crews continue to battle a 200 acre wildfire that's burning in Granite County.

Weather Forecast: A big cool down | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana

May 14, 2013

Much cooler weather is expected on Tuesday as temperatures will only reach the low 60s with partly cloudy skies. Expect breezy conditions this afternoon with some valleys seeing wind gusts up to 30 mph.

Court Withholds Judicial Probe Results for Review | Flathead Beacon

May 14, 2013

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is withholding the results of a misconduct probe into former U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull pending a review of his resignation.

Wardens Investigating Grizzly Bear Shooting near Swan River | Flathead Beacon

May 14, 2013

Wildlife officials are investigating the recent shooting of a grizzly bear near the Swan River. A grizzly bear specialist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks discovered an injured male grizzly on May 4 during a monitoring flight by Wolf Creek Drive and Highway 83 near the Swan River.