Daily Inter Lake
POLITICS AND NATURAL RESOURCES REPORTER
Hailey Smalley covers politics and natural resources for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting examines how government decisions and environmental issues affect communities across Northwest Montana. Smalley has reported on wildfire concerns, wildlife research and the impact of federal policy on local residents and public lands. Her work translates complex policy and scientific topics into accessible reporting for readers. She focuses on stories that shape the region’s future and the communities that depend on its land and resources.
IMPACT: Hailey’s work helps readers understand how policy and environmental decisions affect Montana’s land, wildlife and communities.
ARTICLES BY HAILEY SMALLEY
Winging it through winter: Rare Anna's hummingbird finds shelter in Bigfork backyard
The bird turned out to be an Anna’s hummingbird — a rare find in western Montana. The Montana Natural Heritage Program’s bird distribution database has logged only 158 sightings of Anna’s hummingbirds in the state, including 21 sightings in Flathead County.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 17 HOURS, 22 MINUTES AGO
Business groups sue to stop proposed ban on political spending in Montana
The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is one of several organizations to file suit over a proposed ballot initiative to ban corporate spending in politics, arguing it infringes on the free speech rights of businesses.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 17 HOURS AGO
Federal appeals court upholds injunction on Montana’s drag ban
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld provisions last week blocking Montana from enforcing a ban on drag story hours and performances in public schools and libraries.
BONNER COUNTY DAILY BEE | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 16 HOURS AGO
Zinke looks to zip up western congressional race in favor of Flint
It was the talk of every town in western Montana in early March: Ryan Zinke had dropped out of the race for Congress, just two days before campaign filings officially closed.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 17 HOURS AGO
Mexican man who led deputies on high-speed chase in Kalispell receives federal prison sentence
A Mexican national arrested after a high-speed chase through Kalispell in June 2025 received an 18-month sentence for illegal reentry in federal court last week.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 17 HOURS AGO
Forest Service approves 7,700-acre West Reservoir timber project
The U.S. Forest Service has approved a 7,700-acre forestry project west of Hungry Horse Reservoir.
BONNER COUNTY DAILY BEE | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Federal appeals court upholds injunction on Montana’s drag ban
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld provisions last week blocking Montana from enforcing a ban on drag story hours and performances in public schools and libraries.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 3 DAYS AGO
Ruling on Columbia River dams may affect local rates, utility warns
New measures aimed at restoring endangered salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin could cause downstream repercussions for electric customers in Northwest Montana, according to Flathead Electric Cooperative officials.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Federal appeals court upholds injunction on Montana’s drag ban
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld provisions last week blocking Montana from enforcing a ban on drag story hours and performances in public schools and libraries.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
Dems focus on affordability at Whitefish forum for congressional candidates
Democratic candidates for Montana’s western congressional district took center stage at Whitefish Performing Arts Center on Monday night.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
Forest Service approves 7,700-acre West Reservoir timber project
The U.S. Forest Service has approved a 7,700-acre forestry project west of Hungry Horse Reservoir.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 6 DAYS AGO
Ruling on Columbia River dams may affect local rates, utility warns
New measures aimed at restoring endangered salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin could cause downstream repercussions for electric customers in Northwest Montana, according to Flathead Electric Cooperative officials.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 2 WEEKS AGO
Montana takes on co-management of 200,000 federal acres
About 214,000 acres on the Kootenai and Flathead national forests will serve as what Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte called the “initial sandbox” for a shared stewardship agreement between the state and U.S. Forest Service.
BONNER COUNTY DAILY BEE | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 1 DAY AGO
Forest Service approves 7,700-acre West Reservoir timber project
The U.S. Forest Service has approved a 7,700-acre forestry project west of Hungry Horse Reservoir.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 1 DAY AGO
