Helena Montana

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.

A fire that began Thursday at the intersection of Highway 12 and Spokane Creek Road has led to evacuation orders for the west shore of Canyon Ferry Reservoir and Matt Staff Road in Helena.

The Black Sandy Fire burning in the hills north of Helena prompted about 30 households to evacuate this afternoon.

Around 30 Montana teens with disabilities from all over the state are in Helena this week for the Montana Youth Leadership Forum. The students practiced becoming the state’s next leaders during a mock legislative session.