Hi there, Helena! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: 227 Days Celebration and 3 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Providers Fight Downcoding Efforts by BCBS Entity (bhbusiness.com) — Helena psychiatrists at Big Sky Psychiatry and Big River Psychology say a new Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana billing process is downcoding many visits, forcing them to spend hours on appeals and threatening their ability to stay in-network. They and colleagues statewide have filed complaints with the state auditor in Helena, warning patients could face higher costs and fewer local mental health options.
2. Further tests find 'forever chemicals' in Rossiter Elementary School well in Helena (ktvh.com) — Helena Public Schools reports that state testing has confirmed PFAS "forever chemicals" in the Rossiter Elementary School well, after earlier detections at Rossiter and Jim Darcy. District officials say drinking water remains safe thanks to new filtration systems on fountains and bottle fillers, and they're working with Montana DEQ on long‑term solutions while awaiting final results for Jim Darcy.
3. Draft Environmental Checklist EA (mt.gov) — Helena residents are being asked to weigh in on a proposed Marsh Creek restoration project, with comments mailed or emailed to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at a Helena address. The plan would reshape a degraded tributary west of Canyon Creek to reduce erosion, restore riparian habitat, and improve rainbow trout spawning, with construction targeted for late 2026.
4. Montana auditor revokes Kalispell bail bondsman's license after abuse allegations (nbcmontana.com) — State Auditor James Brown, working from Helena, has permanently revoked a Kalispell bail bondsman's insurance producer license after an investigation found serious abuses of authority involving clients and collateral. The case underscores the auditor's broader push from Helena to tighten oversight of Montana's bail bond industry and urges potential fraud victims statewide to contact the office for help.
5. Florida man stops in Belgrade on cross-county walk, Senator Tim Sheehy advocates for state rail line (bozemandailychronicle.com) — A regional rail summit in Helena this week featured U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy backing a proposal to restore passenger rail across Montana, including a stop in Helena. Planners say the Big Sky North Coast Corridor could eventually carry hundreds of thousands of riders and offer a new alternative to driving or flying, while a separate feature follows a Florida man walking cross‑country through Belgrade.
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Ok Helena! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
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