Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Seeing a shocking NorthWestern bill in Helena? Here’s who wants your copy

Make time for Babes In Canyon (ft. Anna Smyrk & Shelby Natasha) on the Helena Patch calendar

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Wednesday August 26th Patch AM
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Hi there, Helena! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Seeing a shocking NorthWestern bill in Helena? Here's who wants your copy
  • Why a Helena psychiatrist says Blue Cross payments may shrink your care
  • How a Helena-backed AI election law ended up in federal court

Also on today's calendar: Summer Community Celebration at the Clancy Old Red Schoolhouse and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the wall say to the other wall. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 89 and low of 57 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 84, low: 56.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 82 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• NorthWestern Energy customers question sudden spike in summer power bills (ktvq.com) — Helena residents are reporting that their NorthWestern Energy power bills have suddenly doubled or tripled this summer, prompting confusion and complaints to the Montana Public Service Commission. While the utility points to higher usage and modest rate hikes, state regulators are asking affected customers to email copies of their bills as they investigate what's driving the spikes.
   

• Psychiatry groups file complaints over Blue Cross reimbursement practices (mtpr.org) — A Helena-based psychiatrist is helping lead complaints that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana is underpaying for complex psychiatric visits by automatically downcoding them. Local patients could see shorter appointments or lose access to providers who may stop accepting Blue Cross, as state regulators review the allegations about reimbursement practices.
   

• Political complaints pointing to new AI law dropped (fairfieldsuntimes.com) — A federal challenge to Montana's new AI "deepfake" election law just had its first arguments heard in Helena's federal district court, with a ruling expected in September. The law, sponsored by Helena Democrat Sen. Janet Ellis, restricts AI-generated depictions of candidates near elections, and a conservative PAC argues those rules unconstitutionally limit political speech and satire statewide.
   

📸 Around Helena

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Helena

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Helena Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday August 26
  • Welcome Back to School!
    EAST HELENA K-12 SCHOOL DISTRICT East Helena, MT 59635
    8:00 am
    • Friday August 28
  • FB @ Loyola
    Jefferson High School Boulder, MT 59632
    5:00 pm
    • Saturday August 29
  • Montana Distillers Guild: Last Chance Spirits Festival →
    Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel, 835 Great Northern Blvd, Helena
    4:00 pm
    • Sunday August 30
  • JVFB vs Loyola 4-30
    Jefferson High School Boulder, MT 59632
    6:00 pm
    • Tuesday September 1
  • EVMS & EHHS Picture Day!
    EAST HELENA K-12 SCHOOL DISTRICT East Helena, MT 59635
    8:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I live on Trerise rd in East Helena Our neighbor had a fire at their shop.
    We were inside and had no idea a fire had started. I looked out the front window and saw a truck stopped out at the rd with his cell phone out. Then… (Nextdoor Helena High Area)
  • I just received a super realistic scam call from an officer from City of Helena saying I missed jury duty.
    They wanted me to allow them to send me a link to sign an electronic document so the judge could review my case and make a decision on charges I was… (Nextdoor South Central)
  • The Grounds Guys posted a job opening for Landscape Sales Manager in Helena. Apply here.
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Helena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Helena here.

🗞 Nearby News

Butte

  • FWP Announces Changes to Sieben Ranch Block Management Areas Near Lincoln (theoutdoorwire.com)

Manhattan

  • Butte residents raise concerns about homeless camps near Blacktail Creek walking trail (kbzk.com)
  • Silver Bow Mining (SBMT) Advances with Montana Tunnels Complex A (gurufocus.com)
  • The Trump administration upended how the West fights wildfires. California is bracing too (laist.com)

Great Falls

  • Experienced Manhattan Christian crew poised for return trip to state tournament (belgrade-news.com)

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: Meet me at the corner. (Thank you Earlene M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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