UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 4 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP ( ) Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instructions 1(b). 1. Name and Address of Reporting Person JOHNSON, JERRY W 33 THIRD ST SE P O BOX 1318 HURON, SD 57350 USA 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION NOR 3. IRS or Social Security Number of Reporting Person (Voluntary) 4. Statement for Month/Year 5/2000 5. If Amendment, Date of Original (Month/Year) 6. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) (X) Director ( ) 10% Owner ( ) Officer (give title below) ( ) Other (specify below) 7. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line) (X) Form filed by One Reporting Person ( ) Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Explanation of Responses: ALL SHARE TRANSACTIONS AND TOTALS HAVE BEEN ROUNDED TO WHOLE SHARES ! THE OPTION BECOMES EXERCISIBLE IN 3 EQUAL ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS BEGINNING 3 YEARS AFTER DATE OF ISSUE. SIGNATURE OF REPORTING PERSON /S/ JERRY W. JOHNSON DATE 6-5-2000

NORTHWESTERN CORP 4