EXHIBIT 99.1

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NorthWestern
Corporation                                                  News Release
                                                             NYSE:NOR



Contacts:

Investors/Media:

Roger Schrum
605-978-2848
roger.schrum@northwestern.com

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          RAMAEKERS JOINS NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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SIOUX FALLS,  S.D. - May 7, 2003 - NorthWestern  Corporation  (NYSE:  NOR) today
announced  that Lawrence J.  Ramaekers,  retired  president and chief  executive
officer of ANC Rental  Corporation,  the owner of Alamo  Rent-A-Car and National
Car  Rental  Systems,  Inc.,  has been  elected to join the  Company's  Board of
Directors.

Mr.  Ramaekers has specialized in corporate  turnarounds for more than 25 years.
Prior  to  serving  as CEO for ANC  Rental,  he was  CEO  for  United  Companies
Financial  Corporation,  Umbro  International,  Inc.; Medical  Resources,  Inc.;
Centennial Technologies, Inc.; Color Tile, Inc.; and Family Restaurants, Inc. He
also  served as a  turnaround  advisor to a number of other  public and  private
companies and worked with the turnaround  management firm of  AlixPartners,  LLC
from 1982 through  2000. He holds a BS degree in chemical  engineering  from the
University of Florida and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He was honored
as the first  recipient of the Lifetime  Achievement  Award from the  Turnaround
Management Association.

"We are pleased to have Larry  joining our board.  He has a stellar track record
of  working  with  troubled  companies  to get  them  back on  their  feet.  His
involvement and counsel will be important to NorthWestern's board as the Company
undergoes  its  turnaround  initiatives,"  said Gary G. Drook,  chief  executive
officer.

About NorthWestern
NorthWestern  Corporation  is one of the largest  providers of  electricity  and
natural  gas in the Upper  Midwest  and  Northwest,  serving  more than  598,000
customers  in  Montana,  South  Dakota  and  Nebraska.   NorthWestern  also  has
investments in Expanets,  Inc., a provider of networked  communications and data
services and solutions to mid-sized businesses nationwide; and Blue Dot Services
Inc.,  a provider  of  heating,  ventilation  and air  conditioning  services to
residential and commercial customers.

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