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):

November 23, 2005

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant specified in its charter)
South Dakota	001-31303		46-0458824
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400 Rapid City, South Dakota				57709-1400
(Address of principal executive offices)				(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone, including area code:		605.721.1700
Not Applicable
(Former name and former address, if changed since last report)

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):

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

xSoliciting 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))

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

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On November 23, 2005, Black Hills Corporation issued a press release announcing its proposal to combine with NorthWestern Corporation in a stock-for-stock merger. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

99.1 – Press release dated November 23, 2005.

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.

		BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

Date:	November 25, 2005	By:	MARK T. THIES
		Name: Mark T. Thies Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

Document

99.1	Press release dated November 23, 2005.