🌱 Air Quality Alert For Helena + Local Deli Prioritizes Health

Welcome back, Helena! I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Hazy sunshine and very warm. High: 85 Low: 53.
• Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 83 Low: 53.

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Here are the top three stories today in Helena:

1. As a Canadian cold front swept southward into Montana, it not only brought cooler temperatures but also carried smoke from wildfires in Canada. This has led to a decline in air quality in central and eastern parts of Montana, with air quality readings fluctuating between moderate and unhealthy levels in the Helena area. However, the situation is expected to improve by Friday as wind patterns shift, bringing fresher air from the west. (Rapid City Journal)
2. Real Food Market & Deli in Helena prioritizes health through the promotion of local, organic, and plant-based products. The store emphasizes the interconnectedness between personal well-being and a healthy planet, advocating for organic, regenerative agriculture as a means of healing the Earth and its people. Laughing Water's commitment extends to environmental sustainability, with plans to achieve net carbon zero for the store by 2039, inspiring others to forge a sustainable future. (Independent Record)
3. Following a legal challenge from Planned Parenthood, a temporary restraining order was issued by a Lewis and Clark County Judge on Thursday, halting the implementation of a new abortion law. Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 721 into law on Tuesday, which prohibited dismemberment abortion procedures in non-emergency cases and established penalties of up to $50,000 and imprisonment for five to 10 years. The state has been receiving pushback from groups like Planned Parenthood who have asked for the new bill to be blocked. (Fairfield Times)

Today and tomorrow in Helena:

Friday, May 19:

• Annual Montana State Conservation Dinner At Helena Great Northern Hotel (5:00 PM)
• Cowboy Ball At Lewis And Clark County Fairgrounds (5:30 PM)

Saturday, May 20:

• Farmers Market At Fuller Avenue (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Montana has passed a law, signed by Governor Greg Gianforte, making it the first state to ban TikTok from operating within its borders starting from Jan. 1, 2024. The decision was made to safeguard the privacy and sensitive data of Montana residents, citing concerns about the Chinese Communist Party using TikTok for data collection and privacy violations. It should be noted that the law focuses on app distribution and does not penalize TikTok users directly. (KTVH)
• The Helena Police Department is asking the public to keep their eyes out for a missing person. Mark D'Angelo, 30, is reported to not be missing under suspicious circumstances and anyone with information related to his whereabouts is urged to contact HPD. (Helena Police Department via Facebook)
• State-wide scam alert: Montana's Department of Justice is urging residents throughout the state to report anyone who states they are a police officer and attempts to obtain personal information over the phone. It's been noted that law enforcement will never ask for payment over the phone or payment in the form of a gift card. (Montana Department of Justice via Facebook)

That's it for today! See you soon for another update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.