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): October 30, 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 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On October 30, 2008, NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE) (the “Company”) issued a press release discussing financial results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, increased earnings guidance for 2008 in the range of $1.65 - $1.80 per fully diluted share, and an update on strategic options related to the Company’s ownership interest in the Colstrip Unit 4 generating plant. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.01 Other Information.

On October 30, 2008, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared a regular quarterly dividend of 33 cents per share of common stock payable on December 31, 2008, to common stockholders of record as of December 15, 2008. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K provided under Item 2.02 shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information provided under Item 2.02 in this Current Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

EXHIBIT NO.	DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
99.1*	Press Release dated October 30, 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:	/s/ Miggie E. Cramblit
	Miggie E. Cramblit
	Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Date: October 30, 2008

Index to Exhibits

EXHIBIT NO.	DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
99.1*	Press Release dated October 30, 2008

* filed herewith