Helena Montana

When she was in high school, Lotus Porte-Moyel interviewed her neighbor, Ellen Baumler, about being a successful woman. Ellen’s success was measured in history books – she wrote 13 of them about the people and places of Montana and was the historian when it came to its capital city of Helena. But really? She was possibly best known for her good work on ghosts and Montana’s many spooky spots.

Helena City Police will no longer be prevented from working with federal immigration enforcement. The Helena City Commission last week voted to rescind the restriction after legal threats from Montana’s attorney general.

Montana’s top attorney is investigating the city of Helena. City commissioners recently passed a resolution stating Helena will avoid assisting federal immigration enforcement efforts. Gov. Gianforte called for the investigation and warned of penalties for cities defying state law.

Helena city officials Monday solidified policies for limiting interactions with federal law enforcement. Citing the unrest in Minneapolis, some residents say they aren’t strong enough.

Helena voters approved two school bonds by a few hundred votes, unofficial results showed Wednesday. A new high school, elementary school and extensive renovations are on the way.

Helena voters next month will decide the fate of a more than quarter-billion-dollar public school bond. District officials say their buildings are crumbling, and without new facilities or major improvements, students and teachers could be forced to make painful compromises. Helena Independent Record education reporter Sonny Tapia has been following the story and joined MTPR’s Austin Amestoy with more.

The City of Helena next week begins a two-month long hazardous fuels reduction project.. That means portions of some local hiking trails will be temporarily closed.

Memorial plans for former Montana Congressman Pat Williams are set and open to the public. Williams passed away Wednesday.

The day was abnormally rainy and cold for June in Montana, with clouds hanging low over Mount Sentinel, but that didn’t stop artists from setting up shop in long lines of white tents throughout Caras Park.

Helena Public Schools trustees voted to close its historic Hawthorne Elementary. The district cites the need to close a budget gap.