If you live in or around Helena, Montana, you’ve probably seen “helenair” in a search result or a shared link. It’s the website of the Independent Record, Helena’s daily newspaper and one of the oldest newspapers in Montana.
This guide explains what Helenair is, the paper’s long history, what it covers, how subscriptions and the e-edition work, how to find obituaries and archives, how to send a news tip, and how it compares with other Montana news sources.
Quick answer: Helenair (helenair.com) is the online home of the Independent Record, a Helena, Montana, newspaper owned by Lee Enterprises since 1959. Its roots go back to 1867. It covers Helena and Lewis and Clark County news, state government and the Legislature, local sports, opinion, and obituaries. Since July 2023, the print edition comes out three days a week, delivered by mail, while the website updates daily.
What Is Helenair?
“Helenair” is simply short for Helena Independent Record, and it’s the paper’s web address: Helenair. The site carries the same reporting as the print paper, plus breaking news, photo galleries, video, the e-edition, and obituaries.
Because Helena is Montana’s capital, the Independent Record covers more state politics than a typical paper its size, including the governor’s office, state agencies, and the Montana Legislature.
History and Ownership
The Independent Record has one of the longest histories of any newspaper in the state. According to its Wikipedia entry:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1867 | The Daily Herald launches in Helena, and The Weekly Independent launches in Deer Lodge |
| 1874–1875 | The Independent moves to Helena and becomes The Helena Independent |
| 1916 | The Herald merges with The Montana Daily Record to form The Montana Record-Herald |
| 1943 | The Record-Herald and The Helena Independent merge to become the Independent Record |
| 1959 | Lee Enterprises buys the paper from the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, which had owned it for more than 30 years |
| 2023 | Print moves to three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), delivered by U.S. mail |
Older versions of this article said the paper started as the “Helena Daily Herald” in the late 1800s and went “digital-first in the early 2010s.” The dates above are the more accurate record.
Who owns Helenair?
Lee Enterprises, a publicly traded media company based in Iowa, owns the Independent Record. Lee also owns several other Montana papers, including the Billings Gazette, the Missoulian, the Montana Standard in Butte, and the Ravalli Republic. That’s why many Montana stories are shared across these sites.
What Does Helenair Cover?
- Local news: Helena, East Helena, and Lewis and Clark County, including city government, schools, crime, courts, development, and housing.
- State government and politics: The Legislature, the governor’s office, state agencies, and elections.
- Sports: Helena High, Capital High, Carroll College, and other local teams.
- Outdoors and environment: Wildfire, water, public lands, hunting, and fishing, all big topics in Montana.
- Opinion: Editorials, columns, and letters to the editor.
- Obituaries: Death notices and obituaries from Helena and surrounding communities.
- Community: Events, arts, and features.
How to Access Helenair
You can read the Independent Record in several ways:
- Website: helenair.com, which works on desktop and mobile browsers.
- E-edition: A digital page-by-page replica of the print paper, included with many subscriptions.
- Print: Three days a week by mail.
- Newsletters and social media: The paper shares headlines by email and on social platforms.
Is there a Helenair app?
Lee Enterprises publishes news apps for many of its papers, but availability changes. Search for “Independent Record” or “Helena Independent Record” in your phone’s app store. If there’s no app listed, the mobile website and e-edition work well on phones.
Subscriptions and the Paywall
Helenair uses a metered paywall. You can read a limited number of free articles, then you’ll be asked to subscribe.
Typical subscription options
- Digital only: Unlimited website access, often with the e-edition.
- Print plus digital: The three-day mailed print edition plus full online access.
- Introductory offers: Lee papers frequently run low-cost trial deals for new digital subscribers, then move to a regular rate.
Prices change often and vary by promotion, so check the subscription page on helenair.com for current rates. Older versions of this article listed specific prices that conflicted with each other, so we’ve removed them.
Managing or canceling a subscription
You can usually manage your account through the subscriber services link on helenair.com, or by contacting customer service. Before you sign up for an introductory deal, note when it ends and what the regular rate will be.
Helenair Obituaries and Archives
Finding a recent obituary
- Go to helenair.com and open the Obituaries section.
- Search by name, or browse by date.
- Many obituaries include service details and an online guest book.
Submitting an obituary
Families usually submit obituaries through a funeral home or through the paper’s online obituary submission form. Obituaries are typically paid notices, while short death notices may be handled differently. Check the obituaries page for current requirements and deadlines.
Searching old issues
For historical research, the Independent Record has a digitized archive on Newspapers.com, with past pages you can search by name, date, or keyword. A subscription may be needed to view full pages. The Montana Historical Society in Helena is another good resource for older Montana newspapers.
How to Submit a News Tip, Letter, or Event
The Independent Record accepts:
- News tips and story ideas,
- Letters to the editor and guest opinion columns,
- Community event listings, and
- Corrections requests.
Use the Contact Us page on helenair.com to find the right email or form for each. Letters are usually subject to word limits and need your name and town for verification.
Tip: Before sharing a story or a screenshot claiming to be from a newspaper, check it on the paper’s own site. Our guide on how to verify business news walks through simple checks that work for any news source.
Contact Details
Contact information for the newsroom, advertising, and subscriber services is listed on the Contact Us page at helenair.com. Older versions of this article listed specific emails, a phone number, and a street address that we couldn’t confirm, so we recommend getting current details directly from the site.
Is Helenair Reliable?
The Independent Record is a long-established, professionally staffed newspaper, and it’s widely used as a source on Helena and state government news. Like most newspapers, it separates news reporting from opinion pieces, which appear in a labeled opinion section.
Some readers point out that, like many local papers, it has fewer reporters than in the past, so coverage of some topics is thinner. For a broader picture, it’s smart to read more than one source. Our guide on how to analyze business news explains how to compare coverage and spot bias.
Helenair vs. Other Montana News Sources
| Source | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Record (helenair.com) | Lee daily newspaper | Helena local news, state government, obituaries |
| Montana Free Press | Nonprofit online newsroom | In-depth statewide politics and policy, free to read |
| Montana Public Radio | Public radio and online | Statewide news and the Capitol |
| Billings Gazette and Missoulian | Lee daily newspapers | Billings and Missoula news, shared state coverage |
| Local TV stations | Broadcast and online | Breaking news, weather, and video |
Who Should Follow Helenair?
- Helena residents who want local government, school, and community news.
- Anyone following Montana politics, since the paper is based in the capital.
- Families and researchers looking for obituaries and historical records.
- Local businesses interested in advertising to Helena-area readers.
- Students and journalists looking for internships or newsroom experience.
Jobs and Careers
Jobs at the Independent Record are posted through Lee Enterprises. Roles can include reporters, editors, photographers, sales and marketing staff, and digital positions. You can search openings on Lee Enterprises Careers, and journalism job boards and LinkedIn often list them too.
If you’re interested in media careers more broadly, our look at RadioInsight covers another corner of the U.S. news and broadcasting business.
FAQs
What is Helenair?
It’s the website of the Independent Record, the daily newspaper in Helena, Montana.
Who owns the Helena Independent Record?
Lee Enterprises, which has owned it since 1959.
How old is the Independent Record?
Its roots go back to 1867. It took the name Independent Record after a merger in 1943.
How often is the print paper published?
Since July 2023, the print edition comes out three days a week, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, delivered by mail. The website updates daily.
Is Helenair free?
You can read a limited number of articles for free. Unlimited access requires a subscription.
How do I find obituaries on Helenair?
Go to the Obituaries section on helenair.com and search by name or date.
Where can I find old Independent Record articles?
Search the paper’s digitized archive on Newspapers.com, or visit the Montana Historical Society in Helena.
How do I contact the Independent Record?
Use the Contact Us page on helenair.com for current emails and phone numbers.
Final Thoughts
Helenair is the easiest way to keep up with Helena and Montana’s state government, from city council meetings to legislative sessions, along with sports, opinion, and obituaries. With roots going back to 1867, the Independent Record is also a valuable record of Helena’s history.
Use the site for daily news, the e-edition if you prefer the print layout, and Newspapers.com for research into the past.
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This guide is for general information and isn’t affiliated with the Independent Record or Lee Enterprises. Subscription prices, features, and contact details change, so check helenair.com for current information.
