Hometown Helena Thursday, September 28th: Helena Young Professionals, Montana Coal Council

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Hometown Helena this Thursday, September 28th: Helena Young Professionals, Montana Coal Council

September 26, 2023


Greetings Everyone,


As someone whose first job was delivering the afternoon paper, and who began every day of his adult life by getting the morning paper off the front porch, I will say that I am really getting to appreciate and enjoy the newly re-engineered Helena Independent Record. The IR started in 1867 as the Daily Herald. So, for 156 years this print paper has been bringing us the news. Making the transition to the digital age has been challenging for newspapers everywhere, including here. But our local paper seems to be getting it done, and getting it done well.


The essence of the new IR, in my humble opinion, is an increased emphasis on local news and more in-depth coverage of it. I have really appreciated the coverage of Capitol politics and policies, Intermountain, WestMont’s 50th, the NAMI Walk, homelessness in Helena, housing issues, mental health, business news, K-12 education, crime and the courts, Carroll and Helena College(s). From time to time even something at Hometown Helena makes the news. Saturday’s story on Dr. Daniel Bridge and the ‘Helena Hustle’ podcast was especially local and especially interesting. Who knew? Now we do. 


Something similar is happening on the editorial page. I read local authors editorializing about local issues these days. As opposed to national columnists writing about national issues. The paper carries regular columns by ‘conservative’ as well as ‘liberal’ authors. Whether it’s Mary Moe or Kendall Cotton, the writers are local. Citizen leaders as diverse as Senator Brad Molnar, former Senators Tom Towe, and Robert Story and longtime columnist George Ochenski have weighed in from very different perspectives on the recent property tax reappraisals. Each of these people brings a unique point of view to the discussion. The IR readers are welcome to read and digest these articles; seek additional information; and come to their own conclusion about the subject at hand. The Sports Section is excellent, as always. Nothing is more ‘local’ than hometown athletics, and the IR carries news of all the sporting events and activities in the greater Helena area. The new 360 Section (National and World Report) is not so local, but it has had some good stories. Saturday’s story about the southern border of the United States was relevant and timely. The story on the Missouri state prison was also very interesting. Missouri’s prisons sounds a lot like Montana's. Of course, I’d like to see an in-depth story on the Montana State Prison, but that is a tall order may have to wait for another day. And, the IR continues its historic mission of publishing legal notices, obituaries, bid requests and awards. 


Meanwhile, we have another great Hometown Helena lined up for this week.  Haley McKnight is on the Board of Directors of the Helena Young Professionals. She will discuss the group and its activities with us. Haley is there every Thursday, working with Aja Rail on the Zoom and the technology required to bring Hometown Helena to its remote audience. Also joining us this week will be Mr. George Harris, Executive Director of the Montana Coal Council. He will discuss the 'role of coal’ in Montana’s energy portfolio, now and in the future. Some might recall that Mr. Harris joined one of our very first post-Covid Hometowns to discuss housing in Helena when he was the Director of the Montana Relators Association. It will be nice to have Mr. Harris back and to hear from him in his new position.


Please join us this Thursday morning, in person on the 6th floor of the. Montana Club, or via the zoom, courtesy of Aja Rail and Pinion Global, Inc.



Jim Smith

406-949-1002


Please limit announcements and comments to 2 minutes.

The new plaque on Lazy Green that commemorates a Sun Dance done in the same spot in 1908. The Dance was performed by Chief Little Bear of Rocky Boy’s Band.

Click to Watch Last Week’s Meeting

Hometown Helena - Thursday, September 28th, 7 a.m. @ The Montana Club & Live via ZOOM hosted by Pinion:

  • Haley McKnight, Vice President of Helena Young Professionals

  • George Harris, Executive Director of the Montana Coal Council

  • Online Meeting Instructions: Please keep your phone or microphone muted during the meeting and note that your camera may be on depending on your ZOOM settings. Please "raise your hand" at the start of the meeting if you will have an opening update or introduction.


  • In-Person Announcements: Please plan on approaching the front of the room to make announcements directly to our host so online attendees can hear. There is time at the beginning of the meeting for announcements. Please limit announcements and comments to 2 minutes.


  • View Program Recording: Hometown Helena is recorded and posted at HometownHelena.news, typically within a day.


  • Hometown Email List: This private email list is not shared. You can join or update your email information at HometownHelena.news or by clicking the button below.

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The Hometown Helena Team is Jim Smith, Rick Hays, Kelly Cresswell, Emily McVey, Emily Frazier, Ali Mandell, Tom McGree, Peter Strauss, Haley McKnight and Matt Elsaesser

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