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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): November 20, 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
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                         (Registrant's telephone number,
                              including area code)



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Item 5.        Other Events and Required FD Disclosure

On November 20. 2003, NorthWestern Corporation issued a press release announcing
that Brian B. Bird has been named its Chief Financial Officer, effective Dec. 1,
2003.  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 November 20, 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/ Gary G. Drook
                                         ------------------------------------
                                         Gary G. Drook
                                         Chief Executive Officer


Date:  November 20, 2003


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

EXHIBIT NO.    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
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99.1*          Press Release of NorthWestern Corporation dated November 20, 2003

* filed herewith



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