AGP Executive Report

Utility Watch: Montana-Dakota Utilities is seeking a 14.5% electric rate hike in North Dakota, which could mean about $19 more per month for the average customer, with regulators set to decide. Public Safety & Health: Montana’s Department of Livestock is warning pet owners about rabies after a rise in wildlife encounters, urging vaccinations and caution around bats and skunks. Extreme Heat: Billings hit 111 degrees over the weekend and faces another stretch of hot, humid weather, with crews and residents bracing for more record-level temperatures. Local Business Under Pressure: Billings-area HVAC crews are getting swamped with AC breakdown calls as extreme heat pushes systems past their limits. Agriculture & Science: Montana State University and state agriculture and livestock labs will hold a grand opening for the new Combined State Laboratories building, bringing together veterinary diagnostics, analytical testing, and the Wool Lab. Courts: The criminal trial for Montana state Sen. Ellsworth begins, as prosecutors allege improper use of public funds tied to a friend’s contract. Community & Culture: University of Montana Police received a grant to outfit its K9 with Kevlar body armor, and Montana’s Western Heritage Center hosts a July 16 sip-and-paint fundraiser.

Extreme Heat Watch: A heat dome smashed records across Montana over the weekend, with Billings hitting 111°F and Miles City topping out at 115°F; while the worst may be easing, forecasters say Billings will stay hot and “unusually sticky,” with highs near 100°F Monday and Tuesday before sliding into the mid-90s later this week. Local Events: The Western Heritage Center is hosting “Raise a Glass and a Paintbrush” on July 16, a sip-and-paint night with supplies included. Science & Agriculture: Montana State University hosted an international pollinator conference focused on bee health, pesticides, pathogens, and land management. Food Security: Montana Farm Bureau Federation’s “Ask a Farmer, Feed a Family” is collecting donations through Aug. 28 to support local food pantries, including Livingston’s resource center. Business & Jobs: Ed Morse Automotive Group acquired Mercedes-Benz of Billings, expanding its Montana luxury lineup. Politics & Courts: A criminal trial begins Tuesday for Republican state Sen. Ellsworth over alleged official misconduct tied to a state contract. Sports: Montana State football cooled off with a fly-fishing team-building weekend, while roster news continues with transfers including Marshall’s Lyrik Rawls moving to Arizona State.

Heat & Power Strain: Billings hit a record 111 degrees, pushing residents to cooling centers and shaded spots after a prior day’s power outage left hundreds of homes without air conditioning. Wildfire Safety: Ravalli County is shutting down open burning as dry, hot conditions raise the risk of human-caused fires. Environmental Cleanup: Columbia Falls Aluminum Company agreed to pay $57 million to clean up toxic waste from decades of smelting, with EPA saying contamination threatens the Flathead River. Montana Culture & History: The Montana Historical Society opened the new $107 million Montana Heritage Center in Helena, with immersive exhibits and free admission. Local Governance & Water: Bigfork residents are weighing what a potential post-dam future could mean for the Swan River, including hydraulics, access, and wildlife. National Parks Labor: Workers at multiple Mountain West national parks voted to unionize, including Glacier staff, as organizing spreads. Arts & Community: Brinton Museum hosted a Comanche artist talk on culture, land, and horses. Business/Tech: Missoula County adopted a temporary moratorium on data centers, joining other counties taking different approaches.

Wildfire Watch: Ravalli County is shutting down open burning Monday as dry, hot conditions raise the risk of human-caused fires, with officials urging residents to be fire safe. Environmental Cleanup: Columbia Falls Aluminum Company’s long-delayed cleanup is set to begin after a $57 million agreement, targeting toxic contamination that threatens the Flathead River. Heat Dome Alert: Severe heat warnings are in place for about 40 million people across the West, with forecasts calling for extreme temperatures, record highs, and higher wildfire and heat-illness risk. Yellowstone Safety & Culture: Yellowstone’s “Indian Relay” episode is tied to a real multi-tribe tradition, and the park also faced a bison incident where a charging animal tossed a tourist into the air. Local Economy: Janicki Industries broke ground on an $800 million, 1.6-million-square-foot manufacturing campus in Great Falls, promising major job growth and drawing community questions. Agriculture Calendar: Montana State’s Celebrate Ag is back for Nov. 2-8, with a full week of campus events and free public programming. Sports/Media: “Dutton Ranch” is back in the spotlight as viewers look for ways to watch the latest Yellowstone spinoff episode.

Energy & Jobs: Janicki Industries broke ground on an $800 million, 1.6 million-square-foot manufacturing campus in Great Falls, aiming for 1,000 jobs in five years and 2,000+ by completion, with community questions focused on housing and school/workforce plans. Heat & Wildfire Risk: A dangerous, unusually persistent heat dome is expected to push temperatures well above normal across much of the Northern Rockies and Plains, raising heat illness risks and worsening wildfire conditions. Power Outage Accountability: Wyoming regulators are pressing Rocky Mountain Power to explain last fall’s massive outage, citing miscommunication and maintenance procedure failures that left about 250,000 customers without power. Politics in Montana: An independent Senate candidate, Seth Bodnar, is pitching a cross-party campaign aimed at rejecting the two-party system, while Montana’s independent surge shows more voters backing nontraditional candidates. Public Health & Environment: Montana lawmakers and advocates are pushing PFAS-free firefighting gear funding, as PFAS concerns keep driving policy and lawsuits. Local Governance: Missoula County adopted a temporary moratorium on data centers, reflecting growing local friction over the pace and impact of new facilities.

Great Falls Economy: Janicki Industries broke ground on an $800 million, 1.6-million-square-foot manufacturing campus in the AgriTech Park, a multi-year build expected to create 1,000 jobs within five years and 2,000+ by completion, with construction kicking off immediately. Community Pushback: Residents packed a forum to ask how the expansion will affect housing, schools, and local workforce recruiting. Heat Threat: Meteorologists warn a large, long-lasting heat dome could bring dangerous, record-challenging temperatures across much of the U.S., including forecasts around 109°F in Billings. Wildlife Policy: The Trump administration rolled back a key Endangered Species Act protection by narrowing what counts as “harm,” potentially allowing more development in critical habitats as long as animals aren’t killed or injured. Local Business: 618 Coffeehouse opened a drive-thru option at its West Main Street location to cut down on parking-lot hassles. Public Safety: A vehicle crashed into a Big D gas station in Deadwood; no injuries were reported.

Heat Threat: A major heat dome is expected to bake much of the U.S. for at least a week, with meteorologists warning of “significant and dangerous” conditions and record-level temperatures; forecasts call for triple digits in parts of the West and northern Plains, including about 109 in Billings. Big Montana Jobs: Janicki Industries broke ground on an $800 million Great Falls manufacturing campus at AgriTech Park, targeting about 2,000 jobs over the next decade. Local Economy Boost: Amazon opened a new Great Falls delivery station, saying it will speed deliveries and add jobs, with officials touting more than $200 million invested in Montana since 2010. Corrections Plan: Montana Department of Corrections intends to relocate women from Boulder’s Riverside prison to Pine Hills in Miles City as the state works to expand capacity. Data Center Backlash: Missoula County approved a one-year moratorium on new data center applications while it drafts rules; Yellowstone County is also seeking a court ruling on a proposed voter initiative. Public Health & Food: Taco Bell is pulling certain fresh ingredients nationwide as health officials investigate a cyclospora-related outbreak. Wildlife Law: The Trump administration finalized changes to how the Endangered Species Act defines “harm,” narrowing protections for imperiled wildlife.

Local Economy: Amazon opened a new Great Falls delivery station, touting $200M invested in Montana since 2010 and faster package delivery for residents. Jobs & Growth: Janicki Industries broke ground on an $800M Great Falls project at AgriTech Park, aiming for 2,000+ jobs and a 1.6M-square-foot manufacturing campus. Tech & Local Control: Missoula County approved a one-year moratorium on new data center applications while it drafts rules for energy, water, heat, noise and other impacts; Yellowstone County is also seeking a court ruling on a proposed citizen initiative. Environment & Health: The EPA reached a $57.6M cleanup agreement for the Columbia Falls aluminum plant, targeting toxic byproducts like arsenic, fluoride and cyanide. Public Safety: A 49-page report on a major November power outage details how transmission switching issues led to safeguards tripping and outages affecting 250,000 people across South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. Research: UM released a free national map showing tree and shrub heights, built from aerial imagery, to help with wildfire, drought and habitat work. Weather Watch: Meteorologists warn a dangerous, long-lasting heat dome could push temperatures 15–25 degrees above normal, with hotter nights raising health and wildfire risks. Community & Food: Montana Farm Bureau Federation launched “Ask a Farmer, Feed a Family” to support food pantries through summer donations. Cold Case Closure: Clayton Quayle, missing since 1978, was identified and ruled a homicide after remains were found in Madison County.

Montana Water & Heat: Montana is bracing for a hotter-than-usual weekend, with an Extreme Heat Watch posted for eastern counties and highs pushing toward 110 in the Yellowstone River Valley, while a new state drought outlook says about 85% of Montana is abnormally dry or in moderate to extreme drought. PFAS Fight: Scientists and advocates are urging stronger “forever chemicals” controls after PFAS were found in Kalispell water wells and in fish from multiple Montana waters, including the Yellowstone River. Local Governance & Data Centers: Missoula County approved a temporary moratorium on new or expanding data centers as it updates rules, while Yellowstone County residents face a lawsuit over whether a data-center ballot initiative can move forward. Rural Health Funding: The Montana Professional Learning Collaborative won a $50,000 Blue Impact Grant to expand behavioral health support for rural, frontier and reservation schools. Conservation in Northwest Montana: Stakeholders completed a conservation easement on Thompson River timberland to protect habitat and secure public access across more than 34,600 acres. Wildfire Response Tech: Montana is leaning more on government tech for wildfire dispatch as staffing shortages and climate pressures strain volunteer responders. Sports & Community: Montana Tech’s Hayden Diekhans announced he’s going pro in Japan’s B.League, and Bozeman’s adult soccer league says World Cup hype is boosting participation.

PFAS push in Montana: Scientists and advocates urged Montanans to demand stronger controls on “forever chemicals,” pointing to PFAS found in Kalispell drinking-water wells and in fish across state waters. Infrastructure update: The Montana Department of Transportation has started replacing 11 aging timber bridges across central Montana, with the first five scheduled for 2026-27. Wildfire tech role: As wildfire pressure grows, Montana emergency dispatch is leaning more on government tech to coordinate resources across jurisdictions. Right-to-repair win: The FTC settlement forces John Deere to give farmers and independent repair providers access to the same software and tools dealers use. AI data-center fight: A proposed Bonner-area Krambu AI data center stalled after the property owner withdrew a required signature, while officials consider a pause on new projects. Local business/land: Monette Farms listings are posted, including Montana acreage, as the court-approved sales process moves forward. Cleanup milestone: EPA announced a $57.6 million Superfund cleanup agreement for the Columbia Falls aluminum site. Community note: The Blackfoot River near Milltown will close to floating starting July 15 through late October for bridge construction.

Heat & Drought Watch: A new heat dome is expected to roast parts of the U.S. this weekend, with the Rockies among the hardest hit, raising wildfire concerns as temperatures run far above normal. Montana Health & Budget: Montana’s Medicaid changes are already worrying providers and patients, with work requirements starting July 1 and a planned 3% provider rate increase pulled back amid a human services deficit. Wildlife & Range Recovery: After three years of extreme drought, mule deer numbers in north-central Montana are low, but biologists are cautiously optimistic that spring moisture will help habitat and fawn survival rebound. Agriculture & Insurance: USDA is expanding crop insurance options for forage producers in Montana starting with the 2027 crop year, aiming to better protect against price and yield losses. Local Business & AI Backlash: In Billings, a tattoo artist is offering handmade flyer and poster help for businesses as a pushback against AI-made promotions. Public Safety & Policy: Montana Insurance Commissioner James Brown says he’s secured settlements and fines against unregistered financial services firms, with money going to a restitution fund. Community & Culture: Miss Rodeo Montana returned to her family ranch and uses her American Sign Language background to give back, while Girl Scouts of Montana highlighted a Gold Award project creating a community outdoor gathering space.

Federal Land Fight: A bison grazing dispute tied to American Prairie is pulling in more Montana groups as BLM’s rescission of grazing permits heads through appeals, with Western Watersheds Project challenging the decision and the Montana Stockgrowers Association seeking to intervene. State Consumer Protection: Montana’s State Auditor is offering an amnesty-style compliance path for illegal MLMs, cutting fines to $1,500 if companies file notices within set deadlines. Local Housing & Growth: Great Falls released a draft $183 million 2027 budget plan while warning property-tax changes and reserve gaps could force tough choices; in Belgrade, the council moved toward zoning for about 230 homes and apartments. Public Lands Recreation Debate: A “corner crossing” fight over hunting and fishing access on checkerboarded BLM land is heating up, raising questions about where private property lines matter. Wildfire Readiness: Missoula smokejumpers are highlighted as the “Swiss army knife” of wildland fire response as the season’s burn totals keep climbing. Health Care Labor: Patients and supporters rallied behind a Logan Health physician after his contract wasn’t renewed, alleging the move is tied to union activity.

Public Lands Grazing Overhaul: The federal government is rewriting grazing rules for 155 million acres of public land, with a proposed shift that would expand livestock use and sharply limit public input, according to ProPublica and High Country News. Billings Area Water, Health & Safety: Yellowstone County commissioners have filed suit over whether a citizens’ initiative can override county land-use authority for a proposed Broadview data center. Superfund Cleanup: Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. has agreed to a roughly $57.6 million Superfund cleanup plan, with EPA starting a month-long public comment period. Critical Minerals: United States Antimony opened a new critical-minerals mill near Radersburg, aiming to complete more of the antimony process in Montana. Local Community Notes: Billings saw more than 10 porta-potties destroyed over the July 4 weekend, and the Great Falls Symphony named a new music director for its upcoming season.

Critical Minerals & Industry: United States Antimony Corp. opened a new critical-minerals mill near Radersburg, a “missing link” that lets antimony processing happen in Montana before final smelting in Thompson Falls. Public Health & Privacy: Lumexa notified Butte residents that an unauthorized person accessed medical and personal information tied to radiology services, with about 3,000 people reportedly impacted and the company facing HIPAA-related scrutiny. State Government: Gov. Greg Gianforte named Mark Blasdel to replace Misty Ann Giles as director of the Department of Administration, with Giles exiting at the end of August. Local Economy & Housing/Business: Missoula put a temporary pause on new adult marijuana dispensary licenses while it works on regulations, aligning with the state’s moratorium through July 2027. Food Assistance Costs: A new SNAP rule could require Montana to cover millions if the state’s benefit error rate doesn’t keep improving. Infrastructure & Safety: Helena opened a permanent state facility for Weights & Measures and Building Codes programs, consolidating services previously spread across leased spaces. Immigration Tensions: After ICE operations in the Bozeman area, the local Latino community says fear is running high, with estimates of detentions ranging around 100–150. Business/Tech: Billings Logan International Airport is rolling out ticketless parking starting July 21 using license plate recognition.

Rare Earth Race: The U.S. Army is backing REalloys to build and run a heavy rare earth processing operation at Utah’s Tooele Army Depot, targeting dysprosium and terbium to support defense magnets and reduce reliance on China. Public Lands Grazing: Federal rules for grazing on 155 million acres are being overhauled, with critics saying the draft would expand grazing while shrinking public input. Montana Insurance Scam Crackdown: Insurance Commissioner James Brown says his office took action against Strategic Limited Partnerships after Montanans bought unlicensed health plans that wouldn’t pay claims. Montana Budget Watch: Montana general fund revenues rose 4.1% in FY2025, easing worries ahead of the 2027 session. SNAP Cost Shift: A federal change could require Montana to help pay SNAP costs starting in 2027 if its error rate stays above 6%, with Montana currently at 8.86%. Local Governance & Data Centers: A proposed Bonner data center stalled after the property owner withdrew support amid environmental concerns. Wildfire Health: Montana air quality could worsen as wildfire season ramps up, with guidance on reducing smoke exposure.

Election rules in focus: Michigan lawmakers introduced bills modeled on Montana’s “Montana Plan” to curb corporate and nonprofit election spending after Citizens United. Montana politics: A pop-up super PAC has exited Montana’s U.S. Senate race, reshaping the four-way contest as outside groups keep spending. Local governance & growth: Great Falls is preparing for Janicki’s arrival, with a July 9 community forum and a July 10 groundbreaking at AgriTech Park. Agriculture & rural economy: Teton Farm Bureau was formed as the 30th county chapter in the Montana Farm Bureau Federation. Health policy: Three healthcare laws took effect July 1, including Medicare access to certain GLP-1 drugs and earlier Montana Medicaid work requirements. Environment & food production: Montana State researchers won a $600,000 USDA grant to make hydroponics safer by detecting harmful microbes. Community calendar: Billings-area events run July 9–23, including Shakespeare in the Parks performances in Billings and Laurel. Culture: Glendive’s Beats & Brushstrokes Art Walk debuts Friday, aiming to draw visitors downtown.