Good morning, Butte.

Butte mourns the loss of Don Peoples Sr., the former chief executive who led the city out of an economic crisis in the 1980s.

He passed away on March 18 and is remembered as a steadfast community leader.

Montana farmers face uncertainty this growing season because a dry winter, high input costs, and low commodity prices have raised financial worries + recent snowfall has offered hope, though farmers remain cautious as they store surplus grain to cushion against potential heat.

Fire agencies battled a 1,100-acre fire in Cardwell on Wednesday as the Harrison Volunteer Fire Department led the response and officials continue monitoring conditions.

Firefighters reached 25% containment on March 19 for the Panama fire that burned about 645 acres (57 personnel worked the blaze) amid high winds and low humidity, and crews will continue holding lines today as challenging weather persists.

Montana airports are running smoothly so far even as a partial government shutdown continues since Feb.

14, 2026. Travelers are advised to check with airlines and allow extra time for potential delays caused by TSA staffing issues — mainly seen at larger hub airports out of state.