May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. It’s a time to celebrate those who descended from the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. In 2021, the celebration is particularly noteworthy amidst the increase in anti-AAPI hate crimes across the U.S. There are many ways to recognize the …
Photo by Jim Larson
“I think Butte is going to be the place to be and a very, very special place, and it is already in my mind a special community, and we are set for some amazing, amazing things,” said Karen Byrnes in a conversation about all the recent purchases of quite a few of Butte’s historic buildings.
Karen Byrnes is the Community Development Director for Butte-Silver Bow. She was born and raised here and has an intrinsic passion for this beautifully unique city. She attended local schools and graduated from Butte High in 1990. Her college career took her to Montana State University for one quarter but then headed right back to Butte. “I got my degree from Montana Technological University in business,” said Karen. She later went back to school and in 2000 earned her master’s degree in business administration.