8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 1, 2008

NorthWestern Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		1-10499 (Commission File Number)	46-0172280 (IRS Employer Identification No.)
3010 W. 69th Street Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Address of principal executive offices)			57108 (Zip Code)
	(605) 978-2900 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of

Certain Officers.

(b) On May 1, 2008, NorthWestern Corporation (NYSE: NWE) (the “Company”) announced that effective May 5, 2008, Thomas J. Knapp, will no longer serve in the capacity of vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of the Company, but will remain with the Company as senior legal and governmental affairs advisor.

The press release announcing Mr. Knapp’s change in position is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On May 1, 2008, the Company announced that effective as of May 5, 2008, Miggie E. Cramblit will serve in the capacityof vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of the Company.

The press release announcing Ms. Cramblit’s position is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

EXHIBIT NO.	DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
99.1*	Press Release dated May 1, 2008

* filed herewith

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
By:	_______________________________________
	Michael J. Hanson
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 2, 2008

Index to Exhibits

EXHIBIT NO.	DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
99.1*	Press Release dated May 1, 2008

* filed herewith

EX-99

		NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy 3010 W. 69th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57108 www.northwesternenergy.com
NYSE: NWE News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Media Contact: Bobbi Schroeppel (866) 622-8081 bobbi.schroeppel@northwestern.com Investor Relations Contact: Dan Rausch (605) 978-2902 daniel.rausch@northwestern.com

NORTHWESTERN ENERGY NAMES MIGGIE E. CRAMBLIT

AS VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND CORPORATE SECRETARY

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – May 1, 2008 – NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE) today announced the appointment of Miggie E. Cramblit as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary effective May 5, 2008.

In her new role, Cramblit will assume the responsibilities previously held by Tom Knapp. In light of the Company’s focus on operations and growth in its core utility territory, the decision was made to have the general counsel based in Sioux Falls, S.D. Mr. Knapp and his family were unable to make the move, so he stepped down as general counsel and corporate secretary.

“Tom has been with NorthWestern Energy for five years. During this critical time in our history, Tom has done a good job for us in his role as general counsel,” said Mike Hanson, NorthWestern Energy’s president and CEO. “NorthWestern has benefited greatly from his work ethic, insight and guidance. He will continue to assist us in an advisory capacity while Miggie transitions into her new position.”

Cramblit, 52, brings almost 25 years of utility industry legal and business experience. Prior to joining NorthWestern Energy, Cramblit was the senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for the DPL Inc. and its primary subsidiary, The Dayton Power and Light Company. She also previously was vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Reliant Energy Minnegasco (now CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Region).

“Miggie brings a wealth of talent and experience to this job,” Hanson added. “She has experience in regulatory law practices including SEC, Sarbanes Oxley, environmental, federal and state energy regulation, and insurance. She also has served as corporate secretary for both private and NYSE companies and has proven experience in the utility industry. We believe she will be a good fit with NorthWestern Energy’s culture.”

Cramblit holds a Juris Doctorate from Hamline University School of Law, in St. Paul, Minn.

About NorthWestern Energy

NorthWestern Energy is one of the largest providers of electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 650,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. For more information about NorthWestern Energy, visit our Web site at www.northwesternenergy.com.

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