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 16, 2005

NorthWestern Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	0-692	46-0172280
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

125 South Dakota Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota		57104
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(605) 978-2908
(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 8.01 Other Events.

On November 16, 2005, NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NASDAQ: NWEC) (the “Company”), as part of its previously announced share repurchase program, entered into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan with Credit Suisse First Boston, which provides for pre-determined repurchases of the Company’s common stock, subject to the terms of the plan.

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:
		Thomas J. Knapp
		Vice President, General Counsel
		and Corporate Secretary


Date: November 21, 2005

FORM 8-K

Thomas J. Knapp

Vice President, General Counsel

and Corporate Secretary