Helena Montana

A woman is dead after allegedly threatening to kill a judge and staff in the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse Friday afternoon. A city spokesperson says officers shot and killed the woman, who was reportedly armed at the courthouse, when she failed to comply with their commands.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power everything from our phones and laptops to power tools and personal medical devices. But those discarded lithium batteries are also exploding in our landfills and starting fires. MTPR’s Edward O’Brien reports on Lewis and Clark County's efforts to address the problem.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced it will do additional cleanup of residential yards in East Helena that have been contaminated by lead.

The 30th annual Montana Pride took place in Helena over the weekend. Drag performances and story hours were able to proceed after a recent ruling blocked a new drag ban from going into effect. MTPR's Ellis Juhlin has more on the weekend and the legislation that could have changed it.

A federal district court judge Friday put a temporary block on a new state law banning drag performances where minors could be present.

Montana tribes are closer to gaining more authority in a state program designed to preserve Indigenous languages.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge Charles Lovell died in Helena today at the age of 93.

A bill forcing groups to post a bond when requesting a judge temporarily block hunting or trapping regulations has been vetoed by Gov. Greg Gianforte. Much of the state Capitol complex will transfer hands from the executive branch to state lawmakers in July. Gov. Greg Gianforte allowed that policy to become law, but didn’t sign it.

More than 200 Montanans filled the Capitol rotunda on Friday for the annual March for Life in support of restricting access to abortion. Two of the state’s top officials addressed the crowd and promised that they’ll push for change to Montana’s current abortion laws.

Western Montana experienced unusually high tectonic activity Wednesday. The U.S. Geological Survey reports a 3.7 magnitude earthquake occurred at 6:47 a.m. just a few miles southwest of St. Ignatius.