Good morning, Butte.

In Darby, a Yellowstone tourist who followed the posted rules near the Dutton Ranch got a cold welcome from locals who honked and flashed a middle finger.

In Butte, a man at an airport bar praised the tourism boom for bringing millions in revenue and help for community projects — a sign that local sentiment is split — as residents remain conflicted.

A new study by Munley Law found that Montana ranks as the 6th most dangerous state for driving this Labor Day weekend — the report notes that busy roads and risky spots like Highway 2, which had 20 fatal crashes in 2023, put drivers at high risk.

The study advises drivers to slow down, buckle up, and avoid drinking and driving to stay safe.

Northwestern Energy, one of Butte’s largest employers, announced it will merge with Black Hills Corp to form a $15.4 billion electric and natural gas utility—set to finish in about 15 months with a new headquarters in Rapid City.

The merger should not change operations at the Butte office, which employs 544 workers.

Mackenzie River Pizza in Butte hosted its annual Tip-a-Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics today after a 'Do Not Consume' water order closed the restaurant for two days and caused over $14,000 in lost revenue.

Montana Resources said it will help businesses claim these losses—an effort to support local recovery after the water scare.

A ranking of Montana's top public high schools released by Niche shows Bozeman High School as number one and Gallatin High School as number two—based on graduation rates, state test scores, and teacher quality.

The list helps families see quality education options as students return to school.

With the school year approaching, AWARE nonprofit is expanding its school-based mental health services in Missoula, Bitterroot, and Butte by placing staff in schools to help students in crisis and support their return to class—adding community-based services to assist families outside school. Heather Remington noted that Butte schools now benefit from these new programs, and more expansions are planned.

County officials clarified that the parking garage’s upper level cannot be used for bike polo without a special permit and proper insurance—making the county fully liable.

The resident and his group will check on insurance costs and may find another location if they cannot secure coverage.

Local Montanans say that littering and leaving broken glass on the river ruins the fun of floating during hot summer days—residents warn that trash on the water makes it unsafe and urge everyone to clean up after themselves.

The feedback comes as more people take to the river and share their concerns about protecting our waterways.

Montana Tech will honor its Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on October 24 by inducting three former student-athletes, one coach, and two contributors (including basketball player Adam Greger and football star Pat Hansen) for their key roles in shaping sports and community pride; the ceremony will be followed by recognition during a home game against Mayville State the next afternoon.

Thriving in Chaos: Insights with Dr. Tasha Eurich

12 AM – 1 PM — Butte-Silver Bow Public Library — Free entry — Discover how to thrive through chaos with Dr. Tasha Eurich's transformative insights.

Mighty Mystic Live with Sean Devine

8-11 p.m. — Covellite Theatre and Uptown Lounge — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an electrifying night of reggae as Mighty Mystic brings the summer vibes to Butte.

Jeff Crosby Band Performance

7-11 p.m. — Covellite Theatre and Uptown Lounge — Cost varies — Experience intelligent lyrics and great music from the Jeff Crosby Band in a vibrant atmosphere.

Tom Keifer & L.A. Guns Concert

6:30-8 p.m. — Butte Civic Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience rock legends L.A. Guns and Tom Keifer live in concert.

Understanding English Spelling with Gabe Henry

12 AM – 1 PM — Butte-Silver Bow Public Library — Free entry — Explore the amusing history and oddities of English spelling in this engaging discussion with author Gabe Henry.

Beats and Bubbles

6-9 p.m. — Covellite Theatre and Uptown Lounge — Donations appreciated — Enjoy a family-friendly EDM night with great music and a vibrant atmosphere.