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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 11

Montana PSC approves the NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills merger, 3-2

Plus, Veterans Day events, ACA enrollment dates and a $315,000 grant for the Holter's roof.

The Good Day Helena team1 story14 sources4 min read

UtilitiesTop story

Montana regulators approve the $15.4 billion NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills merger in a 3-⁠2 vote

Three of five commissioners backed the merger

Montana Public Service Commission vote, Nov. 10

3–2

Passed

Approve the NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills merger with two Colstrip conditions

Yes 3

  • FielderVice President
  • BukacekCommissioner
  • BushmanTemporarily appointed

No 2

  • WelbornPresident
  • PinocciCommissioner

Sources: NonStop Local Montana, KTVH, NBC Montana

View as table
MemberSeatVote
Jeff WelbornPresidentNo
Jennifer FielderVice PresidentYes
Randy PinocciCommissionerNo
Annie BukacekCommissionerYes
Kirk BushmanTemporarily appointedYes

If you pay a NorthWestern Energy bill, this one reaches you. The Montana voted 3-2 on Tuesday to approve the $15.4 billion merger. Montana was the last state to sign off, after South Dakota and Nebraska, and commissioners added two conditions tied to NorthWestern's newly acquired share of the power plant.

Jeff Welborn and Randy Pinocci voted no. Pinocci said Montanans wanted "some lower rates – and we just couldn't do that." Jennifer Fielder said that after the merger, NorthWestern couldn't alone guarantee Montana customers its 370-megawatt Colstrip share. Residents also raised data centers, and Fielder said regulating them isn't something the commission does.

  • New name: , based in Rapid City
  • New CEO: NorthWestern's Brian Bird
  • Companies say: no rate increase, no job cuts planned for now
  • Next up: NorthWestern awaits the PSC's final written order

The $15.4 billion merger passed 3-⁠2 with Colstrip power in play

$15.4 billion
merger of NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills
3-2
commission vote on Tuesday
370 megawatts
of Colstrip power the PSC debated for Montana customers
5 megawatts
of need would trigger the large load tariff the PSC is considering

Sources: NonStop Local Montana, KTVH, NBC Montana

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News Notes

Holter roof

The Holter Museum of Art is getting a new roof. A $315,000 grant from the Montana Department of Commerce backs it. The Independent Record

The Holter roof grant tops two Helena public safety grants

Source: The Independent Record

View as table
Value
Holter roof$315K
Police detective$125K
Fire hazmat gear$80,000

Safety grants

A $125,000 Helena Police Department grant would fund a detective, and an $80,000 grant would go to Helena Fire hazmat equipment. Both are funded by the Department of Homeland Security, and you can read the conditions. The Independent Record

The Bray at 75

The is celebrating 75 years since Helena brickmaker and arts patron Archie Bray founded it in 1951. Artistic director Steven Lee said, "The 75 years is a signifier that it is going to continue." KTVH

Veterans Day

Wednesday marks the 107th anniversary of Veterans Day. Here's a roundup of Helena-area events. The Independent Record

Shop

Etsy’s Top 100 Holiday Gifts are here with festive finds for everyone on your list. Think: custom playing cards, one-of-a-kind advent calendars, and hand-painted ceramics. One of our favorite finds is this customizable vinyl mixtape, complete with your choice of 10-12 of songs, a photo for the cover, and a personalized message. (Sponsored by Etsy)

Wardrobe

Cute enough for a coffee run, comfy enough for a full day on the couch, these soft-brushed barrel-leg sweatpants and this best-selling mock neck sweater make a pretty convincing case for staying cozy. Shop the pair, plus find more great cozy wardrobe options.

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New crosswords, Sudoku and themed word searches land at 6 a.m. with the newsletter. Play today’s before the coffee is gone.

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Around Montana

ACA sign-up

Open enrollment on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace runs through Jan. 15, 2027. Enroll or change plans by Dec. 15 for coverage that starts Jan. 1. State Auditor James Brown is warning consumers about plans marketed as "self-funded" or "limited partner" coverage, and official plans are available through licensed agents or at healthcare.gov. Hi-Line TodayKECI

ACA sign-up dates decide when coverage starts

  1. Dec. 15Last day to enroll or change plans for coverage starting Jan. 1.
  2. Jan. 1Coverage begins for plans chosen by Dec. 15.
  3. Jan. 15Open enrollment ends.
  4. Feb. 1Coverage begins for sign-ups after Dec. 15.

Sources: Hi-Line Today, KECI

Forest deal

Gov. Greg Gianforte, the Bureau of Land Management and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation announced a new agreement. It expands cooperation on timber production, hazardous fuel reduction and wildlife habitat, building on joint projects dating back to 2019. NBC Montana

Opportunity Zones

The U.S. Treasury Department has accepted Montana's nomination of 25 new Opportunity Zones across 16 counties, including Blaine County. The program offers tax incentives to investors who put capital gains into funds for low-income and distressed communities. Hi-Line TodayKECI

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  • The timeless Maverick necklace boasts a stunning 16-inch cable chain and 8mm CZ pendant. Today only it’s priced under $60.
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Asked

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Asked

Which Helena event are you most likely to hit this week?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Character is much easier kept than recovered.

— Thomas Paine

Things to Do

Things to Do

Helena, MT

Wednesday, Nov. 11

See every Helena eventFeature your event

Jobs

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The Buy

Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

taxes on our lake house doubled to $11,200.

“Our place is nice but hardly worth what the state appraisal says. It took me 20 years of saving and endless hours to build it and now in retirement years will be difficult to keep.”

— A neighbor, Canyon Ferry

25 likes · 45 comments

View post

The Wrap

Holiday shopping gets a head start Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Helena Civic Center Holiday Market, a fun and whimsical Helena tradition with over 70 vendors. It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Civic Center Ballroom. Bring a shopping list. Happy hunting.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Montana asks appeals court to reverse the American Prairie bison ruling

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition14 links · 8 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. NonStop Local Montanamontanarightnow.com
  3. KTVHktvh.com
  4. NBC Montananbcmontana.com
  5. The Independent Recordhelenair.com
  6. The Independent Recordhelenair.com
  7. KTVHktvh.com
  8. The Independent Recordhelenair.com
  9. Hi-Line Todayhilinetoday.com
  10. KECInbcmontana.com
  11. NBC Montananbcmontana.com
  12. Hi-Line Todayhilinetoday.com
  13. KECInbcmontana.com
  14. Helena events calendargooddayhelena.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 10Montana asks appeals court to reverse the American Prairie bison ruling
  2. Mon., Nov. 9Frontier Conference volleyball tournament starts Thursday in Helena
  3. Sun., Nov. 8Montana Millionaire sales resume Thursday, and Tech wins in overtime
  4. Sat., Nov. 7FWP wants a licensed angler for its $1M fisheries grant panel
  5. Fri., Nov. 6Adoption Month starts at the Capitol, and Carroll plays for the division
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Good Day Helenato me · Wed., Nov. 116:00 a.m.

Montana PSC approves the NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills merger, 3-2

Plus, Veterans Day events, ACA enrollment dates and a $315,000 grant for the Holter's roof.

The TLDR

  1. PSC approves the NorthWestern-Black Hills merger, 3-2
  2. Holter roof gets $315,000; Helena police and fire get grants
  3. Veterans Day marks its 107th anniversary with local events
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Good Day Helena’s other editions

All the news
State GovernmentMontana asks the Ninth Circuit to reverse the order that keeps American Prairie bison on federal landMontana is asking a federal appeals court to undo the order that keeps American Prairie Foundation (APF) bison on public grazing land. Gov. Greg Gianforte's office announced that the state filed its opening brief with the Ninth Circuit. Chief District Judge Brian Morris granted the preliminary injunction in early September. It partly blocks BLM's May 2026 decision to cancel APF's bison grazing authorizations and reissue cattle-only permits.Tuesday’s editionRead SportsCarroll earns the No. 6 seed as the Frontier Conference volleyball tournament comes to HelenaIf you want volleyball with a hometown team, the Frontier Conference tournament is in town. Carroll earned the No. 6 seed in the eight-team field, and the Saints face No. 3 Dakota State in Thursday's 7:30 p.m. nightcap at the Carroll College P.E. Center.Monday’s editionRead OutdoorsMontana FWP is looking for a licensed angler to join its fisheries grant panelIf you've got a Montana fishing license and opinions about the state's streams and rivers, Fish, Wildlife & Parks has a seat for you. The Future Fisheries Citizen Review Panel is looking for a licensed angler to fill a two-year term.Saturday’s editionRead

Around Helena

From Hi-Line Today, NBC Montana and 6 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. Hi-Line Today30 minutes ago

    [ November 11, 2026 ] American Prairie Reserve Bison Grazing on Federal Land Challenge Local News

  2. Hi-Line Today2 hours ago

    Lewis & Clark County gets Grant for Infrastructure Improvements

    (Helena) – The Montana Department of Commerce has awarded a three-hundred-fifteen-thousand-dollar grant to Lewis and Clark County for infrastructure improvements. The state

  3. NBC Montana13 hours ago

    Montana PSC approves NorthWestern Energy merger with Black Hills

    The Montana Public Service Commission is approving a $15.4 billion merger between NorthWestern Energy and Blackhills Corporation after months of testimony.The P

    Also reported byMy 103.5KSEN AM 1150Fairfield Sun TimesNewstalk KGVO

  4. KTVH14 hours ago

    Thankful for Veterans & Nice Weather

    Veterans Day is Wednesday, and the weather will be pretty amazing across Montana with mild temperatures, a good amount of sunshine, and lighter wind.

  5. NonStop Local Montana14 hours ago

    Montana PSC approves NorthWestern Energy merger with Black Hills Corp.

    HELENA, Mont. – NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corp. have cleared their final major hurdle for their multi-billion dollar merger.

  6. KTVH15 hours ago

    From bricks to masterpieces: The Bray celebrates 75 years

    For 75 years, the Archie Bray Foundation has put Helena on the map as a destination for ceramic artists while leaving a lasting impression on our community.