AGP Executive Report

Education & Workforce Prep: Montana schools are lining up fall career events, including a Workforce Expo in Lewistown (Sept. 9), “Worlds of Work” in Great Falls (Sept. 15), and a Lewistown college fair (Sept. 23), aiming to connect students with training paths in manufacturing, healthcare, construction and tech. Campus Privacy: University of Montana students are pushing back on AI-enabled surveillance cameras across campus, raising concerns about constant filming and tracking. Elections & Money Rules: Montana’s Initiative 194 is moving toward the November conversation, seeking a way to limit corporate influence in elections without directly overturning Citizens United. Public Health: A Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled Idaho broccoli sprouts has sickened 22 people across four states, with Montana included; officials warn consumers to throw out the affected products. Ag & Rural Economy: Gov. Gianforte’s 56-county tour spotlighted Hi-Line producers, including poultry and grain operations, and highlighted state grants for processing and growth. Policy Watch: Lawmakers are considering new limits on kratom, with some calling it “gas station heroin.”

Conservation & Public Lands: Rep. Ryan Zinke unveiled the “A River Runs Through It Act,” a landscape-scale plan for about 430,000 acres in western Montana that would expand wilderness, boost forest restoration and fuels reduction, and add recreation areas. Education & Tribes: A settlement in DuPois-Pablo v. Montana OPI would require Montana public schools to provide “authentic” instruction in Native history and culture under the state’s Indian Education for All mandate. Local Governance & Data Centers: Butte-Silver Bow commissioners are weighing a temporary moratorium on new data centers after residents said the process moved too fast. Public Health: Federal and state officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak tied to broccoli sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC in Idaho, with 22 illnesses reported across four states. State Policy & Utilities: A draft bill advanced to stop utilities from shifting data-center buildout costs onto residential customers, though NorthWestern Energy criticized parts of it. Community & Culture: Prairie Song Rescue founder Jessica Zimmermann is spotlighted for her animal rescue work, while a Bozeman illustrator donated a new banner to the senior center after spotting a long-standing spelling error.

Surveillance & Policing: A new report says Border Patrol’s “Predictive Intelligence Targeting Teams” used Americans’ financial activity to flag drivers, then fed the info to Montana Highway Patrol for traffic stops. Mining & Water: Missoula County asked the U.S. Forest Service to reject a categorical exclusion for the Sheep Creek Mine and require a deeper environmental review, citing downstream impacts to the Bitterroot and Clark Fork rivers. Wolf Protections: A Trump order sets a 90-day review that could start delisting or downlisting gray wolves and Mexican wolves under the Endangered Species Act. Gun Safety Link: A new analysis ranks Montana among states where higher gun ownership lines up with higher suicide rates, with firearms used in at least 59% of suicides in the top states. Local Culture: The Metis Powwow brought dancers, drummers and a parade to Winnett after a last-minute venue change. Arts & Route 66: Montana Avenue Art Walk returns Oct. 3 for the Route 66 centennial, with a new production team aiming to add “new layers” to the free, street-wide event. Health Insurance Oversight: Montana’s auditor launched a market conduct review of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Montana after a decade-plus gap. Outdoors Policy: A viewpoint warns the federal government’s push to scrap the Roadless Rule could threaten Montana’s drinking water, wildlife and wildfire prevention.

Water Rights: A Montana federal judge temporarily blocked Interior Department and West Side Ditch Co. from diverting Upper Clark Fork River water when streamflow drops, citing likely harm to endangered bull trout. State Politics: Gov. Greg Gianforte proposed a flat 4.7% income tax rate, drawing immediate criticism from Democrats and raising questions about revenue impacts. Reproductive Health: Planned Parenthood of Montana says it plans to open a Bozeman clinic offering abortion services, expanding access beyond current in-clinic options. Local Economy & Jobs: Missoula’s Famous Dave’s abruptly closed, leaving long-time employees scrambling for work and benefits. Energy & Growth: Great Falls leaders held a forum on data centers, focusing on energy costs and environmental concerns as more projects eye Montana. Outdoors & Conservation: Wilderness advocates delayed removal of a dead Shoshone National Forest tree tied to Yellowstone Forest Reserve boundary history, arguing the work should follow wilderness protections. Agriculture: USDA data shows farmland values hit another record in 2026, even as rent and margins remain strained for renters. Business: Simms Fishing Products named Dexter “Dex” Levandoski global sales leader, effective Sept. 15.

School Meals Watch: Vermont topped a new 2026 State of School Lunch report, with Montana among states being measured on reach, participation, and how well kids get breakfast and lunch. Consumer Protection: Montana’s State Auditor is warning residents about “self-funded” limited partner health plans that can dodge Affordable Care Act rules, leaving buyers on the hook for big medical bills; officials urge checking agent licensing before enrolling. Forest Service Reshuffle: The U.S. Forest Service plans to close 23 research facilities in a reorganization, saying ongoing science will continue elsewhere. Local Land-Use Fight: Yellowstone County opponents of a Broadview data center are pushing for interim zoning, but officials say a new state law blocks it. Montana Mining: Domestic Metals has started a planned 9,000-meter drill program at its Smart Creek Project near Butte to test copper targets. Rural Agriculture Spotlight: A Glendive flower farm is turning local know-how into a growing rural business model. Billings 9/11 Memorial: A Billings community effort is keeping Montana’s only 9/11 steel memorial in the public eye as the 25th anniversary passes.

Labor Day Politics: In Montana’s federal races, union endorsements are a key talking point as candidates court working-class voters, with Democrats and Republicans alike backing collective bargaining rights. Cost of Living Protest: Bozeman saw a Workers Over Billionaires demonstration focused on housing, gas, and affordability, arguing growth isn’t translating into pay that covers basics. Yellowstone County Zoning Fight: Opponents of a Broadview-area data center are pushing for interim zoning to pause development, but county officials say a new state law may block that move. Public Safety: A Billings man died after being ejected from his truck and run over by another driver; investigators are seeking a specific Dodge Ram. Culture & Community: Missoula is getting a new mural celebrating Bitterroot Salish camas digging and baking, supported by local arts funding. Sports & Memory: NC State coach Dave Doeren revisits Sept. 11 memories tied to Montana football in 2001.

Labor & Politics in Montana’s Federal Races: Labor Day coverage spotlights union endorsements crossing party lines in Montana’s U.S. House and Senate contests, with candidates including Sam Forstag and Aaron Flint backing collective bargaining and similar stances echoed by Senate hopefuls. Mining & Jobs: A strike is underway at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Montana palladium operations after months of contract talks, centered on health benefits and incentive pay. Climate, Water, and Data Centers: Protests in arid U.S. states target AI data center expansion, with critics pointing to water stress tied to local power generation and cooling needs. Yellowstone Climate Watch: A new study warns Yellowstone’s geysers could become less active as warming reduces snowpack feeding the geothermal system. Montana Workforce Push: Labor Day messaging highlights Gov. Gianforte’s 406 JOBS initiative, emphasizing pathways into work plus barriers like childcare, transportation, and housing. Local Community Service: A College Place volunteer describes another Global Volunteers mission to the Blackfeet Reservation, continuing long-running support in Browning.

Social Media Safeguards: Gov. Greg Gianforte met with Billings students and families at Skyview High School to push stronger protections for minors online, citing rising screen time and concerns about anxiety and depression. Wildlife & Livestock: A lightning strike in Montana’s Gravelly Mountains killed 220 sheep, triggering local carcass disposal efforts to protect other herders and recreationists from predator attraction. Public Safety Aviation: Life Flight Network opened its first Clinical Center of Excellence in Idaho, expanding training for clinicians who serve rural Montana and the wider region. Local Culture & Community: Billings’ Labor Day classic car tradition, Burn the Point, drew hundreds of vehicles and thousands of cruisers for the 22nd annual show. Roadless Rule Fight: A Montana debate over repealing the Roadless Rule is framed as a threat to drinking water, wildlife habitat, and the state’s sportfishing economy. DUI Reform Summit: Montana leaders gathered to discuss 2027 legislative changes aimed at reducing impaired-driving deaths, including calls for a broader cultural shift.

Social Media & Youth: Gov. Greg Gianforte met with Billings students and families at Skyview High School, pushing stronger protections as Montana leaders weigh limits on minors’ screen and social media use. Politics & Voting Reform: A new push for I-194 argues it would curb corporate influence in Montana elections, framing it as a return to the state’s anti-corruption tradition. Wildlife Policy: Trump signed an order directing Interior to consider weakening Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves, with states and ranchers bracing for fallout. Public Safety: The Montana DUI Reform Summit in the Flathead Valley focused on closing criminal justice gaps and shifting culture around impaired driving. Local Economy & Jobs: Miles Community College highlighted its growing CDL program as demand for commercial drivers continues. Community & Culture: Burn the Point brought hundreds of classic cars through Billings for a Labor Day tradition, while a Brown Bag Lunch in Butte explores how Chinese communities shaped western Montana restaurant culture.

Roadless Rule fight: A Montana roadless-area advocate argues the federal rollback would hurt trout habitat, big-game hunting, and water quality, and urges residents to submit comments before the Sept. 21 deadline. DUI reform push: Lawmakers and advocates gathered for a Montana DUI Reform Summit, calling for statewide changes ahead of the 2027 session and a broader cultural shift to reduce impaired-driving deaths. Local culture: Billings’ Burn the Point classic car show drew 300+ cars at Henry’s Garage and nearly 500 downtown for the Labor Day tradition. Workforce & training: Montana’s economy and wages are rising, and leaders are promoting a digital Talent Marketplace plus more apprenticeships and credentials; Miles Community College also highlighted growth in its CDL program. Public safety and justice: A DUI-focused story profiles a Flathead Valley Community College student turning sobriety into a path toward addiction counseling. Data centers in Montana: Custer County residents packed a zoning hearing over proposed hyperscale data center rules, with calls for stronger limits or a moratorium. Sports: Montana volleyball rallied to beat Cal Baptist in five sets.

U.S. Senate Shake-Up: In deep-red states, Democrats are backing independent candidates instead of running their own—Nebraska’s Dan Osborn, South Dakota’s Brian Bengs, Idaho’s Todd Achilles, and in Montana, some party leaders rallying behind independent Seth Bodnar after a Democratic candidate refused to drop out. Local Government: Custer County packed a zoning hearing over proposed data-center rules, with residents pressing for stronger protections—or even a two-year moratorium—over water, power, noise, and vague “hyperscale” definitions. Workforce & Education: Montana’s workforce outlook gets a boost from a new digital Talent Marketplace push, plus the Workforce Warrior campaign spotlighting Native Montanans in skilled trades and other careers. Training for Jobs: Miles Community College’s growing CDL program is expanding access to high-demand driving work in eastern Montana. Public Health: Washington and Montana health officials are investigating a salmonella outbreak tied to Idaho-produced broccoli sprouts; there’s no recall yet, but shoppers are urged to throw them out. Community & Culture: The Billings Gazette is moving out of its long-time downtown home after 57 years.

Wolves & ranching: President Trump signed an order directing Interior to consider stripping gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves of Endangered Species Act protections within 90 days, a move that could make killing easier and is already headed for court fights. Public lands bison fight: A federal judge blocked BLM from forcing American Prairie to remove bison from three northeastern Montana grazing allotments while the lawsuit continues. Food safety: Montana and Washington health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak tied to Idaho-produced broccoli sprouts; there’s no recall, but people are told to throw the sprouts away or return them. Local governance/data centers: Missoula is set to tweak data center rules as a local company seeks a new proposal, while Butte-Silver Bow is moving toward a temporary data center moratorium. Mining & labor: A mining union has begun a strike at Sibanye-Stillwater as contract talks turn tense, and a bankruptcy court approved the sale of Montana Tunnels Mining’s mine property in Jefferson City. Agritourism: A u-pick sunflower event in Melrose is drawing visitors to a working ranch for a hands-on Montana experience. Tech & privacy: Thomson Reuters disclosed a cyber intrusion that may have exposed sensitive court records, including in Montana.

Trade & Agriculture: Montana Farm Bureau warns reciprocal Canada tariffs tied to stalled USMCA talks could hit ranchers and farmers hard, with Canada still the state’s biggest export market. Public Safety Costs: A new 100% federal tariff on thermal-imaging drones is raising costs for fire departments and police using Drone as First Responder programs, with no comparable domestic alternative. Local Economy & Jobs: Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation hired Sylvia Carney as its Food & Agriculture Development Center specialist for a five-county eastern Montana region. Healthcare Leadership: Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association is accepting nominations for its 2026 board, with three candidates listed. Community Events: Carter County Museum will host author Paul Hedren Sept. 10 for “Sitting Bull’s War,” launching a new lecture series. Montana Culture: Montana’s cannabis industry is getting national spotlight as the High Times Cannabis Cup heads to Billings, with winners announced during the event. Tech & Security: Montana Supreme Court says hackers breached a vendor’s case management system, potentially impacting personal information. State Policy: Gov. Gianforte announced USDA drought disaster designations for five Montana counties, unlocking possible emergency loan help for producers.

Billings Gazette Leadership: Mike Brownlee, a veteran editor from the Rapid City Journal, will take over as executive editor of the Billings Gazette on Sept. 28, promising to get out and meet the community. Montana Courts Cyberattack: The Montana Supreme Court says hackers breached Thomson Reuters’ C-Track case management system, accessing backup data from March to June 2026; officials say some personal info like driver’s license numbers and birth dates may be affected. Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to Evergreen Sprouts broccoli sprouts is under investigation in Washington and Montana, with 13 confirmed cases reported as of Sept. 2 and no recall announced yet. Local Culture & Community: The Babcock Theater is set to reopen in October after $1.2 million in repairs, and Great Falls pickleball players spent Thursday cleaning up courts after a windstorm tore loose windscreens. Public Lands Fight: Montana is weighing the Trump administration’s push to repeal the Roadless Rule, with debate focused on wildfire risk, logging, and drinking-water impacts. Data Centers & AI Politics: Eastern Montana congressional candidates are clashing over Quantica’s data center plans, especially water transparency and local control. Public Health Update: The CDC removed two confirmed measles deaths from the national count while reviewing whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths.

Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters says a breach of its C-Track court system exposed sealed and sensitive records across Montana and at least 11 other U.S. states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Ontario, with unauthorized access traced to March 2026 and discovered June 30. Public Health: Hodo recalled more than 10,000 cases of Chili Crisp lightly fried tofu sold in 29 states, including Montana, after ink from packaging may have migrated into product. State Policy & Kids: Gov. Gianforte held a Billings roundtable on social media safeguards for minors, citing rising anxiety and depression tied to increased screen use. Water & Land: The Trump administration proposed fully rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule, a move critics warn could raise drinking-water treatment costs for about 25 million Americans. Agriculture: Gianforte temporarily lifted hay-delivery hours-of-service rules to speed transport amid drought-stressed forage. Economy: Glendive residents report higher power bills; Montana-Dakota Utilities points to summer heat plus higher summer rates. Elections & Youth: A viewpoint argues young voters could be decisive in Montana’s U.S. Senate race.

Workforce Development: Montana’s Department of Labor and Industry is launching “Workforce Warriors,” a new program spotlighting Native career paths through posters and videos to help young people see themselves in high-skill, high-wage jobs. Ranching & Federal Policy: USDA’s “Ranchers First” initiatives aim to rebuild the cattle herd, including proposed insurance for producers keeping heifers, disaster-recovery flexibility, and a loan idea for regional meat processors—raising questions for ranchers about how it will work in practice. Labor: Workers at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Stillwater Mine and Columbus Metallurgical Complex are planning a strike starting Sept. 3 over contract talks, with the union citing health benefits and pay incentives. Public Safety & Health: The Humane Society of Western Montana is holding a monthly free vaccine clinic in Missoula (10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Silver Park) with core shots and microchipping. Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters says an unauthorized party accessed files tied to its C-Track court platform, including Montana court systems, and Montana Supreme Court officials say the breach ran March through June 2026. Local Business: Anaconda is getting a new nonprofit community newspaper, the Anaconda Weekly Review, launching in print at the end of September.