Two Escape With Their Lives After Montana Train Collision

Investigators are looking into the circumstances that led to a truck getting hit by a train west of Missoula over the weekend.

Frenchtown Rural Fire says the collision happened on Beckwith Street, which is just north of Mullan Road in Frenchtown, just before 5 am Sunday morning.

Responders found two people trapped inside the crushed truck when they arrived. They were able to get both of the victims cut free and transported to St. Patrick Medical Center to be treated for their injuries.

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe train was carrying a load of Boeing fuselages, which are regularly shipped through Montana on their way from being fabricated at Spirit Aerosystems in Kansas, and then taken to the Boeing plant in Renton for assembly.

Renters make history

A historic breakthrough for renters in Western Montana. For what is believed to be the first time in state history, a tenants' union is successfully forcing a landlord to the bargaining table.

Residents at Travois Village in Missoula and Harvey’s Park in Bonner are celebrating the win after months of organizing. Their landlord, Oak Wood Ventures, has formally recognized both unions and entered a month-long collective bargaining process.

While a final agreement isn't due until June, tenants say they've already secured significant wins. These include options for more secure two-year leases and a transition to a new payment system to eliminate what they call high "convenience fees."

The union says the landlord is signaling support for a three-percent rent increase cap, and has even begun discussions to sell Harvey’s Park back to its residents as a cooperative.

Organizers call it a historic moment for Montana housing justice and are calling on community members, elected officials, and fellow renters to continue to support the union's initiative.

Negotiations are expected to wrap up by June 1st.

Here comes the Glacier shuttles

Glacier National Park managers are starting their outreach to explain the changes coming to the visiting the park this summer, now that the Park Service is dropping the summer reservation system. That includes setting up a special dedicated website to explain the new system.

The park dropped the reservation system this past winter. And while that gives more flexibility for visitors, especially locals just heading to the park on short notice, there are still restrictions for Logan Pass.

The Park Service is moving to a reservation-only shuttle system for the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Tickets for those shuttles go on sale May 2nd at Recreation.gov.

If you do manage to snag a parking spot at Logan Pass with your own car, don't get too comfortable, a new three-hour parking limit goes into effect July 1st.

     📲 All of the new information has been added to the Glacier National Park website, and we'll have complete links on our mobile app as well.

More charges from Missoula shooting

The Missoula County Attorney’s Office is filing amended charges against 27-year-old Josef Manchester. Manchester was originally arrested following a shooting on Cooper Street last July.

Investigators say Manchester fired shots through an apartment door after a physical confrontation with a resident involving a baseball bat. The victim was hospitalized with three gunshot wounds, while Manchester was apprehended shortly after in a minivan containing firearms and distribution-level quantities of cocaine. Though originally charged with assault and drug possession, the new filings now include a charge of Attempted Deliberate Homicide. Additionally, investigators say digital evidence uncovered during the probe led to a felony charge involving the exploitation of an animal. They aren't releasing details on that because of the "sensitive nature" of what happened.

     Missoula Police say the investigation remains active as the case moves through the Fourth Judicial District Court.

Baker post office blues

Nearly a year after the Baker Post Office was shuttered due to structural concerns, Montana’s federal delegation is demanding answers from the Postal Service.

Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Congressman Troy Downing, sent a formal letter to the U.S.P.S. on Friday, calling the current situation in Baker "unsustainable."

Since the building closed, residents have been forced to retrieve their mail from temporary outdoor units. The lawmakers say this has led to long wait times in extreme Montana weather, creating a significant hardship for seniors and those with mobility challenges.

The letter notes that while interim services were established, the Postal Service has failed to provide a clear timeline for repairs or a plan for indoor access.

     ✉️ The delegation is now requesting an immediate update on the status of the original facility and a firm date for when residents can expect a return to normal service.