AGP Executive Report

UM Military Appreciation Day: The University of Montana’s Oval hosted its annual military appreciation event, with a Black Hawk landing on the grass and families getting a close look at Montana National Guard training and missions. Griz Football: Eli Gillman ran for 147 yards and three TDs as No. 3 Montana beat Utah Tech 35-14, tying Big Sky rushing TD marks and setting a new UM total-touchdown record. Weather Watch: A cold front is easing, but Sunday and Monday bring stronger winds and a chance of rain and high-elevation snow, with a Red Flag Warning in southwest Montana. Road Updates: I-15’s Spring Creek Interchange at Exit 219 will close Sept. 14-16 for drainage work, with detours via Exit 226. Crash & Safety: A fatal crash shut lanes on US-93 south of Lolo near mile marker 80; officials urged drivers to avoid the area. Native Education Lawsuit: A Montana case over the “Indian Education for All” school mandate is moving toward final approval, with plaintiffs pushing for stronger accountability. Public Health: An Idaho company recalled broccoli sprouts over possible salmonella contamination.

Public Safety: A deadly Amtrak crash in Blaine County killed an 18-year-old woman after a pickup failed to yield at a railroad crossing, according to the Montana Highway Patrol. Local Politics: Fergus County Attorney Kent Sipe says he’s running again, focusing on family violence and child-crime prosecutions after a Montana Supreme Court ruling upheld a long case. Education & Community: Fergus High School in Lewistown turns 40 as voters weigh a bond proposal to update facilities; ballots are due Sept. 29. Higher Ed: Flathead Valley Community College will host public forums with four presidential search finalists next week. Health Access: A Montana cancer survivor says Medicaid disability coverage was cut after the state didn’t seek her doctors’ records, pushing her to CHIP while she appeals. Environment & Outdoors: A Montana-focused opinion piece argues the Roadless Rule protects drinking water, wildlife, and wildfire prevention by limiting new road building in national forests. Sports: Montana’s Week 2 college football slate includes matchups featuring the Grizzlies vs. Utah Tech and the Bobcats at Nevada.

Montana Politics: A Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton poll shows Kurt Alme leading Seth Bodnar by 8 points in the four-candidate U.S. Senate race, with Democrat Alani Bankhead and Libertarian Kyle Austin trailing. Wildlife & Outdoors: Duck hunters got a blow—U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s fall waterfowl forecast says duck numbers are down, including mallards. Bears are also on the move, with FWP warning people to secure garbage and avoid feeding them. Public Lands & Access: Two former Republican lawmakers face criminal trespass charges tied to a road access dispute on the Crow Reservation; they argue FWP relied on incorrect info and that the road is tribally owned. Health & Safety: Montana is among states affected by a Salmonella-linked broccoli sprouts recall, with consumers urged to discard the affected product. Community & Remembrance: Montana marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with Capitol and National Guard ceremonies honoring victims and first responders. Weather: A cold front brings cooler temps and rain chances, with another system expected to impact Sunday into Monday.

Health Care & Montana: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Montana, will get $500 refunds for Affordable Care Act “overcharges,” tied to federal exchange user fees collected during the Biden administration, with checks expected to start in October. Public Safety & Wildlife: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering a hunter education field day in Glasgow for 12-17 year olds who complete the online course, covering safety, shot selection, bear awareness and more. State Lands & Forestry: DNRC is seeking public feedback on the “Big John Timber Permit” south of Havre, proposing thinning and wildfire/beetle salvage on about 100 acres of state trust land. Courts & Justice: The Montana Innocence Project is seeking a new trial for a Kalispell man convicted in his wife’s 2020 murder, arguing pretrial rulings and legal miscommunication blocked a fair defense. Environment & Conservation: Federal agencies have closed 20 hazardous uranium mine features in Montana’s Pryor Mountains, adding bat-friendly gates and backfilling openings to reduce radiation and collapse risks. Weather: Cooler, with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms possible Friday into the weekend, especially in parts of western Montana.

U.S. House Ballot Fight: Helena-area courts are getting involved in Montana’s election drama as Democratic nominee Brian Miller sues to block independent Michael Eisenhauer over allegedly fraudulent petition signatures. Wildfire Response: Lightning-sparked fires in the Rattlesnake Complex burned 15,582 acres across Custer, Prairie and Fallon counties, testing mutual aid across county lines. Public Safety & Health: Prairie County is set to get a new ambulance after receiving a $400,000 grant through Montana’s Rural Health Transformation Program. Wildlife Management: FWP euthanized two young grizzly bears near Lincoln after repeated raids on homes and unsecured attractants, citing bold behavior and safety concerns. Local Community: Great Falls’ River’s Edge Trail will temporarily close Sept. 14 for repairs to the Kings Bridge section. Weather Watch: A cold front brings cooler temps and scattered rain showers Friday into the weekend, with snow possible at higher elevations. Remembering 9/11: Whitefish firefighters are building a memorial using steel beams from the Twin Towers, dedicated Sept. 11.

Election Integrity Fight: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman joined a coalition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to let states require proof of citizenship for voting and remove noncitizens from rolls within 90 days, challenging an Arizona ruling. Montana Courts & Public Safety: A Bozeman man with prior felonies was sentenced to four years for unlawfully carrying two loaded handguns near I-90. Rural Montana Justice: A Plentywood woman was sentenced to seven years and four months after mailing meth to two homes in town. Wildlife & Outdoor Policy: Montana FWP is seeking public comment for an Oct. 15 commission meeting, including proposed grizzly relocation sites and updated public and commercial fee schedules. Ag & Economy: Montana Farm Bureau backed BLM’s proposed grazing rule updates, praising science-based management and clearer definitions. State Research & Agriculture: MSU celebrated the new Combined State Labs building, bringing together wool, veterinary diagnostic, and agriculture analytical labs. Weather & Fire Risk: Warm, breezy conditions are driving elevated fire danger in parts of Montana, with gusty winds expected Thursday.

Wildfire Update (Custer/Prairie): Custer County Rural Firefighters say multiple lightning-sparked blazes—including the big Snow Fire that didn’t hit full containment until Wednesday—are now under full control, though dry, windy conditions keep the risk alive. Sentencing (Billings): A Billings man was sentenced to 14 years for trafficking meth and illegally possessing firearms, after searches turned up multiple guns and investigators say he fled during a stop in Big Horn County. Community & Health (Bozeman): Planned Parenthood of Montana announced a new Bozeman clinic to expand in-person abortion services for the Gallatin Valley. Politics (Montana GOP): Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen spoke at the Republicans’ Dallas midterm convention, where Trump and Vance are set to headline as leaders push turnout. Public Safety (Weather): Red Flag Warnings are in effect Thursday in parts of Montana as winds and low humidity raise fire danger. Sports (UM basketball): The Grizzlies finalized the 2026-27 schedule, including five non-conference home games and road trips to major programs.

Montana Health Oversight: The Montana State Auditor launched a market conduct review of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, the first full check in more than a decade, to examine marketing, underwriting, policyholder services and claims handling. Public Safety: Montana Highway Patrol is reminding drivers about school bus and school zone rules after more than 100 bus violations last school year, with penalties starting at $285. Weather & Fire Risk: Wednesday looks clear and mild across Montana, but fire danger is expected to climb Thursday as gusty winds and dry air set up rapid spread potential. Local Tragedy: A fatal two-vehicle crash north of Kalispell killed a 57-year-old motorcyclist; the truck driver and 11-year-old passenger were not hurt. Entertainment with Montana ties: Netflix is moving ahead with a new “Lonesome Dove” series from “East of Eden” showrunners Zoe Kazan and Jeb Stuart, based on Larry McMurtry’s novel about a cattle drive to Montana. Community & Sports: MSU-Northern named a new appointee to the Montana State Apprenticeship Advisory Council, and Skylights volleyball hosts Providence for its first home game.

Education & Science: A Concrete Elementary teacher is bringing Montana paleontology lessons back to students after a Hell Creek field experience with the Burke Museum. Local History: An author is hosting a reunion at the former Bald Hills logging community’s Lindblom Store site, reviving memories of a tight-knit Montana-era store hub. Community & Culture: An MSU Billings student wants to turn the historic Adams Hotel in Lavina into a regional cultural center for artists and musicians. Wildlife Safety: September’s “Bear Aware Month” is spotlighting how poor natural food years are pushing bears toward homes, with FWP urging residents to secure trash, fruit, feeders, and pet food. State Politics: Gov. Greg Gianforte is proposing a 4.7% flat income tax rate, drawing immediate Democratic criticism. Sports (Montana): Eli Gillman broke Montana’s career rushing touchdown record in a 45-10 win over Drake, and Frontier Football recaps highlight strong starts for Montana teams. Weather: After a stormy Labor Day, forecasts call for sunshine and warming midweek, then a wetter, cooler weekend.

Arts & Culture: Rosanne Cash, 71, postponed three Montana-area shows after an “unexpected medical emergency,” with dates in Billings and Bozeman affected and no new reschedule announced yet. Weather & Safety: Billings-area forecasts call for windy conditions with gusts up to 20–45 mph and isolated late-day showers, while a broader Labor Day system is expected to bring cooler, wetter weather later in the week. Local Impact: A powerful Labor Day thunderstorm hammered parts of Shepherd and Huntley with hail reported up to 2–3 inches, damaging homes and vehicles and adding to flooding concerns around Billings. Montana Outdoors & Land Management: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reopened the comment period for a Lone Pine State Park forest thinning plan after updated surveys showed changes needed to manage dwarf mistletoe and improve forest health. Business/Industry: Domestic Metals says it has started a planned 9,000-meter diamond drill program at its Smart Creek copper project near Butte. Public Health/Community: Missoula union leaders held a Labor Day gathering at Fort Missoula, highlighting worker rights and local organizing.

Severe Weather & Flooding: Labor Day storms slammed parts of Montana with massive hail, damaging wind and flooding in the Billings area and central Montana, including reports of hail up to nearly 3.5 inches and water rising to knee-deep in spots. Public Safety: The Bitterroot National Forest issued warnings about possible flooding and debris flows, especially near recently burned areas. Local Crime: Bozeman police arrested a man after a SWAT standoff following a stabbing; the victim is expected to survive and the suspect faces attempted homicide charges. Traffic Tragedy: A Billings man who was ejected from his truck and run over by another driver has died; investigators are seeking the fleeing Dodge Ram. Montana Sports: Montana State and Montana remain No. 1 and No. 3 in the newest FCS poll after strong starts, while Frontier Conference honors went to Montana Western’s Eli Nourse and Montana Tech’s Christian Hansen. Community & Culture: Taylor students began moving into Gentile Hall, and Great Falls union workers held a Labor Day picnic celebrating workers’ rights. Statewide Watch: Montana leaders gathered for a DUI summit. Federal/Environment: A report says U.S. Fish and Wildlife staffing has dropped sharply, including a 40% decline in Montana.

Gas Prices: Americans are heading into Labor Day with the most expensive holiday at the pump on record, with regular hitting about $4.14 a gallon nationwide and threatening to break the prior Labor Day high. Weather & Flooding: A wet, stormy start is rolling across Montana, with Flood Watches in parts of western and north-central areas as heavy rain could trigger lowland flooding and fast-rising streams. Workforce: Gov. Greg Gianforte highlights the 406 JOBS initiative, saying Montana is adding jobs and pushing pathways into work while tackling barriers like child care, transportation, and housing. Local Impact: Montana PBS is asking over-the-air viewers in the Bozeman/Gallatin Valley to rescan TVs after a transmitter frequency move Sept. 14 to improve signal quality. Sports: Thriston Lawrence won the European Masters at Crans-Montana in a playoff over Paul Casey, completing a major comeback.

Montana Sports Spotlight: Eli Gillman rewrote the Montana Grizzlies record book in a 45-10 win over Drake, setting a career rushing TD mark and powering a 2-0 start. Local College Football: Montana State celebrated its Gold Rush with a 51-24 home win over Butler, while the Bobcats honored past champions during the game. Weather & Travel: Glacier National Park is issuing temporary Going-to-the-Sun Road alpine closures starting Sunday at 5 p.m. due to heavy rainfall, with detours and limited access expected. Public Housing Watch: Dawson County reported 95% public housing occupancy in 2025, and Yellowstone County logged 91% occupied—both with rent tied to household income. Mental Health Access: VA highlighted a suicide prevention telehealth program that brings specialized care to rural Veterans without long trips. Wildlife & Livestock: A lightning strike killed 220 sheep in the Gravelly Mountains, prompting local carcass disposal efforts to protect other herders and recreationists. International Sports: Paul Casey lost a playoff at the Omega European Masters, but pledged his winnings to victims of the Crans-Montana fire.

Wolf Protections in the Crosshairs: President Trump signed an executive order urging Interior to consider weakening Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves, and to push changes to state rules—drawing sharp criticism from conservation groups. Data Centers and Politics: In Montana’s Senate race, voters in Great Falls are pressing candidates on data centers, with one independent arguing for clear guardrails and full cost responsibility from developers. Labor Day Storms: The National Weather Service issued a severe-storm warning for northern Montana, with heavy rain and strong wind gusts possible into Labor Day. Gas Prices Bite: Americans are facing record-high Labor Day gasoline prices, with analysts forecasting the national average could top $4 a gallon. Montana Sports: The Grizzlies rolled past Drake 45-10, while Montana State beat Butler 51-24 in the Gold Rush opener; Montana Western opened with a 49-35 win over MSU-Northern. Local History: Billings marked 25 years since Sept. 11 with a look back at community response and solidarity.

DUI Reform Summit: Montana leaders and advocates gathered at Flathead Valley Community College to push statewide changes for the 2027 session, arguing gaps in the system and attitudes toward drinking and driving need fixing after high impaired-driving death rates. Public Safety Patrols: Kalispell police and other agencies are intensifying Labor Day weekend enforcement, urging drivers to plan a sober ride during the “100 Deadliest Days.” Wildlife in Town: Residents in Lincoln are closely watching repeated grizzly sightings after reports of damage to property, with FWP response under scrutiny. Sports—Grizzlies: Eli Gilman made history with three rushing TDs and a receiving score as Montana beat Drake 45-10, setting up a home game next against Utah Tech. Sports—Bobcats: Montana State hosts Butler in the Gold Rush at Bobcat Stadium, with the program aiming to keep its early-season momentum. Weather: Western Montana faces more showers and thunderstorms overnight, with Labor Day bringing cooler conditions and storm chances. Education in Eastern Montana: Fairview High School is offering a new intro-to-computers class with dual credit through Williston State College.

Local Politics: Fergus County Commissioner Ross Butcher and challenger Angie Wright are both pitching the case for District 1 leadership, with Wright spotlighting housing and community problem-solving and Butcher focusing on roads, law enforcement, and the mental-health strain on local budgets. Public Safety: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks says a grizzly attack north of Columbia Falls was a surprise defensive encounter involving a female with a cub, and the Cedar Flats trail area will stay closed. State & Community: The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation hired Ashleigh Heimbach as its new executive director, while Jamestown City Councilman David Steele received the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year award. Environment & Recreation: Yellowstone topped a national list of the most Googled parks, and the Park Service is proposing easing cycling rules. Workforce: Gov. Gianforte and tribal leaders launched the Workforce Warrior campaign to highlight Native career paths in skilled trades and public service. Opinion: Montana columnists renewed calls to keep roadless lands protected and to reject smear campaigns in the Senate race.