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                       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

                                February 7, 2002
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                                 Date of Report

                            NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
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             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    DELAWARE
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                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

             0-692                                     46-0172280
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     (Commission File No.)                (IRS Employer Identification Number)

                       125 South Dakota Avenue, Suite 1100
                         Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
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                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                  (605) 978-2908
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              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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Item 5.   OTHER EVENTS

     On February 7, 2002, NorthWestern Corporation (the "Company") issued a
press release discussing results for the fourth quarter of 2001 and for the
full year of 2001. The press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is
incorporated herein by reference. The press release contains forward-looking
statements regarding the Company and includes a cautionary statement identifying
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those anticipated.

Item 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND EXHIBITS

(c)  Exhibits

Exhibit
Number                            Description
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99.1 *    Press Release of NorthWestern Corporation, issued on February 7, 2002


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* 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.

     Date:  February 7, 2002

                                       NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION

                                       By: /s/ Kipp D. Orme
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                                          Kipp D. Orme
                                          Vice President - Finance and Chief
                                          Financial Officer


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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number                            Description
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99.1 *     Press Release of NorthWestern Corporation, issued on February 7, 2002

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* Filed herewith