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                                  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): May 1, 2003


                            NorthWestern Corporation
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




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



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

                                 (605) 978-2908
                             (Registrant's telephone
                           number, including area code)



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Item 5.    Other Events

On May 1, 2003, NorthWestern  Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release
announcing  that Richard R. Hylland,  the former  President and Chief  Operating
Officer of the Company, had resigned from the Company's board of directors.  The
press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is  incorporated  herein by
reference.


Item 7.      Financial Statements and Exhibits

EXHIBIT NO.  DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
99.1*        Press Release of NorthWestern Corporation dated May 1, 2003
* filed herewith


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                                   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/ Eric R. Jacobsen
                               --------------------------------------
                               Eric R. Jacobsen
                               Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
                               Chief Legal Officer

Date:  May 1, 2003


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                                Index to Exhibits
                                -----------------

EXHIBIT NO.  DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
99.1*        Press Release of NorthWestern Corporation dated May 1, 2003
* filed herewith


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