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
Glimpses to a lost world: 3D photo collection opens window to Glacier National Park's past
Most of the 1,800 images in the collection were actually composed of two separate photographs, taken at the same time but spaced a few inches apart.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Montana wildlife commission overhauls recommended wolf quota, questioning state-backed science
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission set a quota of 300 wolves for the 2026-2027 hunting and trapping season, eschewing the recommendation of state biologists while also significantly lowering the number of tags available from last year.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 12 HOURS, 32 MINUTES AGO
600-acre wildfire sparks north of Happy's Inn
State wildfire crews are battling a 600-acre wildfire about five miles north of Happy's Inn that sparked on the afternoon of Aug. 20.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 23 HOURS, 15 MINUTES AGO
State approves 20,600-acre easement in Northwest Montana
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the 20,629-acre Stimson Timberland Conservation Easement on Wednesday, further expanding an already vast portfolio of publicly accessible lands in Northwest Montana.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
Lightning sparks fire in steep, rugged terrain south of Thompson Falls
Dozens of firefighting personnel are battling a lightning-sparked blaze about 7 miles southeast of Thompson Falls in Lolo National Forest.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
Hundreds of bats vaccinated at Libby Dam
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks vaccinated nearly 900 bats at Libby Dam against the fungus that causes a deadly condition known as white-nose syndrome.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 7 HOURS AGO
Recreation manager cultivates acres of outdoor opportunities in Northwest Montana
The family had only spent a few days in Northwest Montana, as part of a cross-country road trip to their new home in Maryland, but Amy Grout instantly felt at home among the snowcapped peaks and cool alpine lakes.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
Something to cluck over: Competitors rise to the top of the pecking order at poultry show
During shows, a judge or showmanship competitor might fan out a bird’s feathers or splay each of their four taloned toes for closer inspection.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
Libby Dam bats get vaccine for deadly fungal disease
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks vaccinated nearly 900 bats at Libby Dam against the fungus that causes a deadly condition known as white-nose syndrome.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Legal leaders lambast politicization of state courts in Montana
Prominent voices in Montana’s legal community last week castigated efforts to infuse partisan politics into the state’s independent judiciary.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
Legal leaders lambast politicization of state courts in Montana
Prominent voices in Montana’s legal community last week castigated efforts to infuse partisan politics into the state’s independent judiciary.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 6 DAYS AGO
Crews gain foothold in fight against Skillet Fire
The first few feet of the Skillet Fire front have been contained.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 1 DAY AGO
Tribes ask for public's help in staving off non-native brown trout
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are echoing Montana wildlife officials’ concerns about the illegal introduction of non-native fish following reports of brown trout in the Flathead River Basin.
BONNERS FERRY HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 2 DAYS AGO
Tribes ask for public's help in staving off non-native brown trout
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are echoing Montana wildlife officials’ concerns about the illegal introduction of non-native fish following reports of brown trout in the Flathead River Basin.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 2 DAYS AGO
