NorthWestern                                                        EXHIBIT 99.1
Corporation





                                                                    News Release
                                                                       NYSE: NOR

Contacts:

Investors/Media:

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

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                    FORMER NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION PRESIDENT
                         RESIGNS FROM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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SIOUX FALLS, SD - May 1, 2003 - NorthWestern Corporation (NYSE: NOR) today
announced that Richard R. Hylland, former president and chief operating officer,
has resigned from NorthWestern's board of directors.

About NorthWestern
NorthWestern Corporation is one of the largest providers of electricity and
natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving more than 595,000
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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