AGP Executive Report

Butte Data Center Vote: Montana Supreme Court cleared the way for a Butte-Silver Bow ballot initiative that would let voters decide whether data centers can be built or expanded, after a legal fight over signature deadlines and election rules. Roadless Rule: The federal comment period on ending the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule was extended to Oct. 6, with more than 240,000 comments already filed as conservationists warn of habitat loss and critics argue it’s needed for wildfire management. Autonomous Transit in Missoula: CubCloud AI says it has been approved to help run Montana’s first fleet of Tesla Cybercabs, raising fresh questions about passenger safety as the service expands beyond Austin. School Safety in Billings: Broadwater Elementary parents pushed for concrete fixes after concerns about a man with a gun across the street led to added law enforcement, revised pickup/drop-off, counseling, and a temporary playground privacy barrier. Wildlife & Hunting: FWP is seeking tips on a mule deer buck shot and left to waste near Hardin, and announced a black bear hunting closure in BMU 700. Weather: Central and northcentral Montana face strong winds and thunderstorms Friday and Saturday, with gusts up to 60 mph.

Public Health Leadership: Gov. Greg Gianforte says Charlie Brereton, director of Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services, will step down Oct. 30 for the private sector, with Dr. Doug Harrington taking over as acting director. Workforce Watch: Montana’s labor force hit a record high in 2025, but employment dipped for the first time since 2020, with job losses tied to mining, manufacturing, hospitality and government even as healthcare added more than 1,200 jobs. Civic Rights & Courts: ACLU-backed efforts helped voters in Kansas and Missouri reject measures that would have weakened civil liberties and reshaped courts and ballot access—an early signal for the November fight over voting rights and fair courts. Local Infrastructure: Bozeman is moving ahead with plans for the Cattail Trail to connect parks and trails on the west side, aiming for a broader network. Community Projects: Miles City’s planned skatepark is nearing its fundraising goal after a major matching grant, with construction targeted for 2027. Weather: Mild Wednesday conditions across Montana give way to windier, cooler changes late Friday into the weekend.

U.S. Senate: Outside groups are ramping up TV ad spending in Montana’s Senate race as Election Day nears, including an Independent PAC backing Seth Bodnar. Local Economy: Montana unemployment stayed low statewide at 3.2% in August, while Park County’s rate rose to 2.1% but remained among the lowest in the state. County Budgeting: Park County commissioners meet Thursday to set aside reserves and finalize a proposed budget and tax rate for public review. Traffic & Growth: Bozeman drivers frustrated by Highway 191 left turns near Violet Road/Upper Rainbow Road could soon get relief with a new traffic signal. Child Care: Montana says childcare payments are improving, but some Red Lodge providers still report delays that strain families. Health & Aging: Benefis is opening the Goodnow Healthy Aging Center in Great Falls to help seniors stay independent. Politics & Rights: Montana’s Supreme Court kept a Butte-Silver Bow data-center initiative alive while an appeal moves forward. Sports: Montana Grizzlies head to UC Davis for a top-10 Big Sky showdown.

Local Safety: Billings parents at Broadwater Elementary are demanding concrete steps after a man previously arrested in a similar gun incident was seen again with a firearm near the school, prompting district and police meetings. Wildlife & Health: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is asking for help locating a hybridized female bighorn sheep missing near Vaughn, warning it could spread disease to wild herds; Glacier National Park also confirmed tularemia in a beaver, urging visitors to take precautions. State Economy: The Montana Board of Land Commissioners approved an oil and gas lease sale expected to add $2.1 million-plus to the public education fund. Weather Watch: Fall officially begins Tuesday, but forecasters say it’ll stay warm for now, with scattered showers possible later in the week. Public Life: Billings Police plan a “Coffee with a Cop” community event in the Heights, offering residents a casual way to talk with officers. Business Spotlight: Billings-based EFX Sports says it’s expanding global sales via Coupang, boosting exports in South Korea and Taiwan.

Immigration Courts: A federal judge ordered ICE and CBP to release 24 people unlawfully detained in Cascade County, after finding warrantless arrests didn’t meet legal requirements; the sheriff says staffing shortages are also reshaping who’s held. Local Infrastructure: MDT will close parts of U.S. 93 and MT 35 in Lake County for core road sampling this week, with lane closures and delays expected. Montana Politics & Tech: A Yellowstone County data-center fight shows how the state’s “Right to Compute” law may limit local governments’ ability to regulate new computational projects. Sports (Big Sky): Montana State stays No. 1 in the FCS Coaches Poll after a 35-30 win over Central Connecticut, while the Grizzlies fell to No. 4 after an Oregon State rout; MSU hosts Northern Arizona next. Education & Community: Missoula’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate rose to 49.2% for the 2018 cohort, and MSU’s Steer-A-Year program is seeking donations for hands-on student livestock training.

Montana Cleanliness Spotlight: A Montana city—Bozeman—was named the “cleanest” in America in a new roundup, adding fuel to the ongoing debate about growth and livability. Energy & Cost Pressure: A fresh look at energy stocks argues elevated prices could keep supporting high-yield dividends, pointing investors toward four September “buy” candidates. AI + Power Question: A national piece asks what happens if the next generation of AI data centers is built where power already exists—tying the idea to natural hydrogen development in Saskatchewan. Weather Watch: Forecasts call for sunny, mild conditions across Montana with morning fog in some areas, plus a midweek shift toward scattered showers in parts of southwest Montana. Daylight Saving Fight: The Sunshine Protection Act is stalled in the Senate, and 19 states are still positioned to move toward permanent daylight saving time if Congress acts. Sports: Montana’s Grizzlies fell 52-17 to Oregon State in Week 3, while Montana State kept rolling past Central Connecticut. Obituary: Olympic swimmer Mike Burton, a three-time champion, has died at 79.

Energy Costs: AAA says Montana diesel hit an all-time record of $6.27 a gallon, up nearly a dollar from last week and about $2.64 higher than a year ago—especially painful for grain growers in the “Golden Triangle.” Sports (Montana vs. Oregon State): Oregon State routed Montana 52-17 in Corvallis as Braden Atkinson threw five TDs and ran for another, handing the Grizzlies their first loss. Local Economy/Community: A Montana couple’s Continental Divide Trail art project is now on display in Columbia Falls, with more than 90 paintings from their 1,000+ mile hike. Public Lands & Research: The U.S. Forest Service plans to close 23 research facilities as part of an overhaul, shifting work to other sites. Mental Health: Local resources are boosting suicide prevention and mental health support, with 988 highlighted as a key lifeline. Weather: Rain eases across eastern Montana, followed by a warmer, drier stretch with fog possible early mornings.

Big Sky Football: Oregon State routed Montana 52-17 in Corvallis as QB Braden Atkinson threw five TD passes and Jesse Legree added 100 yards and a score; Montana’s Eli Gillman still made history, passing the program’s all-time rushing mark. Montana State Sports: Montana State survived a scare to beat Central Connecticut 35-30, with Adam Jones scoring two late TDs to keep the Bobcats rolling. Local Schools: Lewistown Public Schools voted to join the Montana Rural Education Association, citing support and membership perks. Public Safety Training: MSU-Northern criminal justice students trained at the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office range, practicing firearm safety under local deputies. State Politics & Elections: A Montana ballot initiative aimed at limiting corporate election spending is drawing First Amendment concerns. Environment & Land Use: A Helena-area mining proposal, Blue Copper, is drawing scrutiny for its scale of federal land exploration in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Culture & Community: Missoula’s Viva Montana festival returns to celebrate Latin heritage.

Montana Politics & Elections: A judge blocked Montana’s AI campaign ad law, dealing a blow to efforts to regulate political deepfakes. Campaign Finance: Supporters of I-194, the Montana Plan, say the measure would force more transparency about money in elections amid concerns about “dark money.” Data Centers: A new poll finds nearly 75% of Montana voters oppose nearby data centers, reflecting growing statewide resistance to large energy- and water-hungry projects. Weather & Safety: Rock slide shut Flint Creek Pass on Montana Highway 1; one lane reopened while crews cleared debris, and drivers were urged to avoid the area. Public Safety & Health: Flood watches remain in effect for parts of southern Montana as a storm brings heavy rain and thunderstorms. Sports (Montana): Montana State escaped a major scare, rallying to beat Central Connecticut 35-30; Carroll College routed Dickinson State 42-7; Montana Tech crushed Southern Oregon 58-10. Tragedy: A 13-year-old boy drowned in the Clarks Fork River after saving his sister while tubing.

Superfund Redevelopment in Columbia Falls: Gov. Greg Gianforte and EPA chief Lee Zeldin toured the Columbia Falls Aluminium Company Superfund site, highlighting cleanup progress and the early stages of Teakettle Heights, a 421-unit housing project planned within the former plant area. Public Health: Montana’s Department of Livestock confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in a small commercial chicken flock in Ravalli County, urging poultry owners to boost biosecurity and watch for sudden illness. Courts & Elections Tech: A federal judge in Helena blocked Montana’s new AI deepfake political ad disclaimer law, saying it likely violates the First Amendment. Local Government & Services: The Southeastern Montana 911 Board approved a higher annual contribution to the City of Miles City to help dispatchers seek wage increases. Community & Agriculture: Montana State University’s Steer-A-Year program is back for 2026-27, with students raising donated steers and selling the meat to support student activities. Sports on TV: Week 3 college football coverage is set for Saturday, headlined by LSU vs. Ole Miss on ABC.

Teacher Housing in Big Sky: Big Sky School District is adding new staff units for teachers and school workers as rent pressures push salaries out of reach, with the latest project funded by community partners and a school levy. Public Health: Yellowstone County is seeing a spike in rabies-related bat encounters, including many cases involving human contact, prompting reminders about post-exposure treatment. Local Weather & Flood Risk: A slow-moving storm system is bringing rain and thunderstorms, with Flood Watches and Flash Flood Watches in parts of Montana, especially near burn scars. Wildlife & Safety: Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is preparing for rifle season field days for youth hunters, while officials also report avian influenza detected in Ravalli County. Big Sky Sports: Montana State hosts Central Connecticut State as the Bobcats aim to stay unbeaten in non-conference play, and the Grizzlies face a tough first road test at Oregon State. Election Integrity: A federal judge blocked Montana’s AI deepfake election-ad law from being enforced, citing First Amendment concerns. Data Center Fight in Butte: Butte-Silver Bow commissioners approved a land sale to REC Silicon after earlier data center plans fell through, amid ongoing local opposition.

Weather Watch: An upper-level low is bringing rain and thunderstorms to Montana, with a Flood Watch in parts of southern areas and totals that could reach a few inches near Billings and surrounding counties. Public Safety: Cascade County is cutting detention capacity immediately due to a critical staffing shortage, limiting City Court inmates to 15 and moving ICE/CBP detainees and others by Sept. 21. Water Infrastructure: The U.S. Senate has given final approval to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act, extending work through 2028 for a project already 95% complete. Wildlife & Conservation: A Yellowstone-to-Yukon initiative is a finalist for Britain’s Earthshot Prize, aiming to help grizzlies and other wildlife cross roads safely with overpasses and fencing. Montana Sports: Montana State is set to close non-conference play against Central Connecticut State, while local weather and travel conditions could affect weekend schedules. Community Spotlight: A Billings veteran is set to receive a free roof through a national Owens Corning program.

AI & Elections: A federal judge in Helena blocked enforcement of Montana’s “deepfake” campaign-ad disclosure law against a former lawmaker and his PAC, saying it likely violates First Amendment rights. Roadless Rule Fight: Red Lodge residents joined a Greater Yellowstone Coalition postcard push urging the USDA not to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which would affect millions of acres in Montana. Wildlife & Safety: Montana confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ravalli County, urging poultry owners to boost biosecurity as wild birds migrate. Environment & Parks: The National Park Service signed off on a Finding of No Significant Impact for Yellowstone’s North Entrance Road reconstruction after the 2022 flood. Local Economy: Gov. Gianforte toured the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund cleanup site as cleanup plans move forward. Public Works: MDT will add right-turn lanes at two US 93 intersections in Lakeside, with daytime lane reductions through early October. Community & Culture: Montana Historical Society launched the inaugural Montana Headwaters Book Prize for Montana history writing, with submissions open through Jan. 31, 2027.

Helena Air Quality: Helena is smoky again this morning, with air quality “unhealthy for everyone” tied to the Bear Gulch prescribed burn southwest of town; officials say it should stay smoky through today, so limit outdoor time. Weekend Storms: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to spread across parts of Montana Thursday, then moisture surges Friday into a wetter, longer weekend with a marginal risk of excessive rainfall and flooding risk in burn scars and low-lying areas. Local Sports & Pride: Helena attorney and Paralympian Katie Verderber was named to the 2026-27 USA Wheelchair Curling National Team. Energy & Costs: Gas prices in Montana rose 7.5 cents over the week, averaging $4.47/g Monday, while a federal judge allowed American Prairie to keep grazing bison on three allotments for now. Community Notes: Roosevelt County commissioners voted to keep the same health insurance for now, and Wolf Point’s library is hosting a Medicare enrollment watch party Thursday.

Montana Weather: Southwest Montana is bracing for rounds of showers and thunderstorms Thursday through Saturday, with some storms bringing strong winds, hail, and heavy rain before drier, milder conditions return Sunday. Wildlife & Safety: FWP says a grizzly bear attacked a hunter near Augusta Monday; officials collected bear hair and tracks, and the hunter’s injuries are “significant but fortunately not life-threatening.” Public Health & Driving: A Gallatin County crash is tied to a cannabis DUI charge, highlighting Montana’s THC limit and the signs officers look for. Energy & Power: NorthWestern Energy filed with the Montana PSC for a proposed Green Power Program with Missoula and Bozeman, aiming to give customers a Montana-made renewable option. Road Safety Remembrance: Volunteers with the American Legion maintain more than 2,500 white fatality markings across Montana highways. Local Growth & Land Use: A River Runs Through It Act would introduce forest restoration areas in the Seeley-Swan and Blackfoot Valleys, targeting hazardous fuels and reforestation. Community Spotlight: Choteau’s Benefis Teton Medical Center was named Montana’s best rural clinic/hospital in a statewide readers’ vote.

Montana Politics & Elections: A ballot initiative campaign is pushing Montana to bar corporations and other “dark money” sources from election spending, setting up a potential new Supreme Court fight. Privacy & Tech in Campaigns: A Montana Senate candidate used a shotgun to destroy a stand-in Flock camera in an ad, arguing automated surveillance threatens individual freedom. Wildlife & Safety: FWP is investigating a grizzly bear attack on a hunter near Augusta; officials say the victim was hurt but not life-threatening and warn hunters to stay alert. Local Schools: Salmon Prairie School in Lake County is closing after its board voted to go non-operational, reflecting mounting strain on small Montana districts. Community & Culture: The Eastern Montana Fair cleared $42,000 in gate and vendor revenue, while a Miles City library added a free Pure Flix streaming service for families. Sports: Montana’s Eliana Ti’a is out indefinitely with a knee injury, and FWP is releasing about 2,500 pheasants for a youth hunting weekend.