Good morning Helena! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Helena Area Friends of Pets Fall Garage Sale and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What is clean when it is black and dirty when it is white? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Helena firefighters teach students fire safety as Fire Prevention Week highlights lithium-ion battery risks (ktvh.com) — Helena families are getting fresh fire-safety guidance as more than 400 local second-graders visit Fire Station One to practice escape plans and learn about lithium‑ion battery risks. Firefighters stress safe charging habits, spotting damaged batteries, and making sure even young kids know how to call 911, hoping students carry these lessons home across Helena's neighborhoods.
2. DNRC Prepares for Prescribed Burning Season (mt.gov) — From its Helena headquarters, DNRC is gearing up for months of prescribed burns on state and private lands, which means you may see or smell more smoke around Helena and across Montana. Officials stress these planned fires reduce wildfire risk and are carefully timed for weather and air quality. Residents can track smoke conditions and air quality online while burns are underway.
3. Prairie Roots, Mountain Faith: Bishop Austin Vetter's story (kfyrtv.com) — Helena Catholics are hearing more about their bishop's journey from a North Dakota farm kid to leading the Diocese of Helena since 2019. Bishop Austin Vetter reflects on his faith, early influences, and how his leadership has helped improve diocesan finances and boost church attendance in recent years.
4. Colleges are slashing tuition prices as students balk at soaring costs (foxbusiness.com) — Carroll College in Helena is planning a major tuition reset, cutting its listed price by 40% and eliminating undergraduate fees starting in fall 2027 to appear more affordable to families. The move follows similar cuts at other private colleges nationwide responding to skepticism about college costs and value. For Helena families, it could significantly change how attainable a Carroll education looks on paper.
5. VA Awards More Than $390,000 In Grants For Adaptive Sports Programs In Montana (va.gov) — Helena-based VA officials have announced more than $390,000 in grants for three Montana organizations that run adaptive sports programs for Veterans and service members. The funding will expand opportunities for activities like skiing, cycling, and wheelchair softball, aiming to boost independence, health, and social connection for Veterans across the state.
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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: "What is clean when it is black and dirty when it is white?" — A chalk board (Thank you Charlie H. for sending it in!)
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