WESTERN MONTANA — Here’s a look at Western Montana’s top news stories for Thursday.

Aaron Walker, a mill worker severely burned in a fire at Montana Timberline Firewood Company on Dec. 30, died at a Salt Lake City burn facility on Sunday. Walker’s medical team said they transitioned to comfort care before his death, while officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. (Read the full story)

Political speculation is swirling around University of Montana President Seth Bodnar as a potential challenger to Senator Steve Daines after former Senator Jon Tester sent a text suggesting the possibility. Bodnar declined to comment on the speculation, but did not deny it either. (Read the full story)

The Whitefish School District has started its superintendent search with community meetings to gather input from parents, students and staff about the next leader. McPherson and Jacobson consulting firm will conduct candidate interviews in early March with selection expected by the end of the month. (Read the full story)

Montana winters have a reputation for being bitterly cold with temperatures that average well-below zero. It’s also one of America’s snowiest states. If you’re a fan of winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, Montana is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.

However, this winter is a bit different. Above-average temperatures across the state have broken records on multiple occasions. It may not be the white winter that we all hoped for, but there are some advantages. I’m the type of person that tries to find the silver lining in everything, so here it goes.

I’ve been through quite a few winters in Montana, and this is the warmest it’s ever been this time of year. As someone who commutes a fair distance for work, I’ve really enjoyed not having to deal with snow and ice on the interstate. I haven’t noticed nearly as many people wrecked on the side of the road either.

I haven’t had to put on multiple layers of clothing in order to go outside and hope that my car would actually starting in the morning after scraping an inch of ice my windshield. Not gonna lie, it’s been nice.

The lack of snow also means that you can get to many places that are normally inaccessible by vehicle this time of year. So, if you’re the adventurous type, and want to take a road trip, right now might be a good time to hit the road.

Before you get too crazy, remember that getting too far off the grid in Montana can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. You can easily get stranded, and there’s a lot of places where you can’t get cell service. Just be careful, that’s all I’m saying.

Look, I know that we need snow, and I really hope a late winter is in the forecast. I’m just trying to make the best of a bad situation.