AGP Executive Report

School Choice: The Trump administration’s proposed Federal Scholarship Tax Credit would let nearly all kids in at least 30 states apply for taxpayer-funded help for private school and homeschooling starting Jan. 1. Montana Ballot Watch: Montana’s CI-132 would lock judicial elections into nonpartisan rules in the state constitution, shaping how future court races are framed. Drug Prices: Montana AG Austin Knudsen urges eligible consumers to file claims tied to a multistate settlement over inflated generic drug prices. Civic Education: Volunteers are placing pocket U.S. Constitution copies in Montana schools for Constitution Day, alongside Montana Constitution booklets. Schools & Accountability: The Montana Board of Public Education revoked a former Scobey teacher’s license after allegations involving inappropriate conduct with students. Workforce: Labor Commissioner Sarah Swanson was elected chair-elect of a national workforce leadership group, highlighting Montana’s education-to-workforce pipeline. Community & Culture: A Fort Peck cultural fair brought more than a thousand students into traditional tribal history, food sovereignty, language, and fire management learning. Public Health & Safety: Montana FWP euthanized 14 extremely food-conditioned black bears near Bozeman after suspected illegal feeding.

Immigration & Film Backlash: Livingston is dealing with fallout from a controversial Ben Shapiro-linked movie set (“Pawn Shop”) that recreates an ICE shooting scene, with protesters outside and a local food pantry reporting reduced access during road closures. Housing & Organizing: In Tacoma, tenant unions are spreading as renters organize to bargain with landlords, a sign of mounting pressure in the housing market. Montana Courts & Immigration: A new lawsuit seeks to stop warrantless immigration arrests in Montana, arguing judges have already ruled such detentions violate constitutional rights. Wildlife & Public Safety: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks euthanized 14 “extremely food conditioned” black bears near Bozeman after suspected illegal feeding, with penalties possible. Community & Education: UM launched “Griz Fridays” to build campus pride as enrollment hits new highs; meanwhile, Bitterroot Valley districts start the 2026-27 school year with new programs and projects. Local Culture: A Bozeman art exhibition spotlights Edmonia Lewis’s Montana ties through contemporary work. Agriculture & Outdoors: Montana’s Noxious Weed Trust Fund grant cycle opens, offering up to $75,000 per project.

Early Childhood Literacy: Montana Imagination Library hit a milestone—one million free books mailed to kids up to age five, with First Lady Gianforte celebrating the millionth delivery in Butte. Wildlife & Public Safety: Montana FWP euthanized 14 black bears near Bozeman after investigators found them “extremely food conditioned” and unafraid of people; one cub went to Montana WILD. Community History: Otter Tail County in Minnesota named a new executive director for its historical society, highlighting how local volunteers shape exhibits and public programs. Education & Civic Life: UM political scientist Dr. Robert Saldin heads to Oxford as a Leverhulme Visiting Professor to study the Good Friday Agreement and bring findings back to Montana’s democracy education work. Culture & Learning: Montana WILD opened a new avian walkway and flight barn, giving visitors close-up views of ambassador raptors while expanding rehab space. Local Governance: Fergus County residents urged commissioners to form a data center working group with clear rules on size, water use, noise, and roads. Ballot Watch: Montana’s ballot measure on political spending (I-194) is getting renewed attention as supporters argue corporate money should be barred from influencing elections.

Social Media & Youth Safety: Meta agreed to stricter age verification after a $17B lawsuit, aiming to give teens limited features while adults get full access—raising big questions about how “age assurance” can actually work. Wildlife & Public Safety: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks euthanized 14 black bears near Bozeman after suspected illegal feeding left them “extremely food conditioned” and unafraid of people; penalties could follow. Local Culture & Learning: Bozeman’s Museum of the Rockies opened “Popnology,” linking sci-fi ideas to real tech with hands-on exhibits. Community & Recovery: Butte is set to launch the Montana Angel Initiative, a voluntary program that connects people with substance use disorder to treatment through law enforcement and partners. Education & Research: MSU hit a new record with $308.7M in annual research spending, topping $300M for the first time. Arts & Events: Baroque Music Montana brings a chamber-music program to Sidney Oct. 1. Public Health: DPHHS is urging fall-prevention steps during National Falls Prevention Awareness Week.

MT Culture Moment: Dolly Parton was honored at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with Kacey Musgraves performing “I Will Always Love You,” but Miley Cyrus didn’t take part—an insider says it was a heartbreaking miss tied to Parton’s passing. Local Sports & Community: Homecoming week is underway at the University of Montana in Missoula, with the Hello Walk, parade traditions, and alumni tailgates leading into the Griz’ homecoming game. Montana Outdoors & Wildlife: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is proposing to remove illegally introduced bass from Sacajawea Lagoon in Livingston, with a public meeting Oct. 1. Civic Life & Education: Montana’s debate over election speech heats up as I-194 (the “Montana Plan”) faces criticism for being dangerously overbroad toward normal political posts. Media & Lifestyle: Lee Enterprises is set to acquire the Great Falls Tribune, signaling another shift in Montana’s local news landscape. Native Culture: Orange Shirt Day event roundups highlight boarding-school remembrance gatherings across the region.

Local Journalism: Lee Enterprises is acquiring the Great Falls Tribune, bringing the paper into a larger Montana newsroom network that includes the Billings Gazette, Helena’s Independent Record, the Missoulian, the Montana Standard and more. Wildlife & Outdoors: Montana FWP is proposing to remove illegally introduced bass from Livingston’s Sacajawea Lagoon and will hold a public meeting Oct. 1. Community & Culture: NASA astronaut John Harrington is touring Montana campuses to encourage students to register to vote, including stops at Blackfoot Community College and Montana State University. Civic Life: Orange Shirt Day events are listed across the U.S. and Canada, marking the National Day of Remembrance for Indigenous boarding school survivors and victims. Education & Family Life: Parents are using AI tools to dodge pricey school photo proofs, raising concerns about watermark removal and misuse. Sports & Lifestyle: Vail Resorts reports fiscal 2026 results and a 2027 outlook as pass sales and skier demand shift. Local News Note: A mountain goat was safely relocated after showing up at Grace Bible Church in Bozeman.

MTV VMAs Recap: Madonna dominated the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with seven wins, including Artist of the Year, while Taylor Swift took Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” and received the inaugural Artist Director Honors; the show also featured major tributes to Dolly Parton and George Michael. Native Education in Montana: Montana’s Indian Education for All law is getting fresh attention after a settlement over inconsistent implementation, with advocates saying some districts still aren’t meeting the constitutional promise. Mental Health in Missoula: The Out of the Darkness walk drew hundreds in Missoula for suicide prevention, highlighting Montana’s high suicide death rate and community support for those affected. Wildlife & Conservation: Yellowstone wildlife photographer Sylvia Borgonovo, known for documenting the park’s oldest wolf 1090F, died at 65. Local Outdoors: Montana FWP is hosting a Mule Deer discussion in Malta, focusing on northeast Montana. Community & Youth Health: A federal teen pregnancy prevention program left most of its $101 million unspent by Sept. 30, with reported impacts on local education programs, including in Montana.

Pop Culture Spotlight: The 2026 MTV VMAs kicked off in Los Angeles with Snoop Dogg hosting, Madonna leading nominations, and Taylor Swift set for the inaugural Artist Director Honors—plus a full winners list rolling in as the night delivers big fashion and big moments. Red Carpet Fashion: Paris Hilton went full intergalactic glam in silver, while Taylor Swift arrived solo in a black-and-silver gown and Chloe Bailey turned heads in an ultra-sheer look. Sports & Policy: Montana’s broader culture conversation also shows up in the national debate over women’s sports protections, with AG Marshall urging Congress to add women’s sports language to the Protect College Sports Act. Community & Health: Logan Health nurses in Kalispell ratified a new union contract with major pay raises, and Great Falls hosted the Central Montana Out of the Darkness Walk, where families marked suicide prevention connections together.

Native Education & Culture: A judge is nearing the end of a lawsuit over how Montana schools teach Native American history, with a settlement requiring clearer oversight and stronger tribal involvement in IEFA implementation. Campus & Workforce Pride: MSU-Northern students won national SkillsUSA medals in power equipment, technical drafting, and automotive service after state wins. Health & Community: Logan Health nurses ratified a new union contract with major across-the-board pay raises and added wage steps aimed at retention. Local Arts & Learning: The Museum of the Rockies debuted a new planetarium show, “Faster than light,” bringing immersive space-travel education to Montana audiences. Education Expansion: Montana State University opened a new nursing education building in Billings, part of a statewide push to train more nurses. Community Connection: Hardin Public Schools held a powwow for Native American Heritage Day, bringing about 1,000 students together in regalia and dance. Lifestyle & Sports: MSU’s 2026 homecoming parade in Bozeman brought blue-and-gold spirit downtown, with student groups and community causes joining the march.

Suicide Prevention & Community Healing: The Central Montana “Out of the Darkness Walk” at Gibson Park brought people together in a no-one-grieves-alone moment, with participants raising honor beads tied to different connections to suicide prevention. Education & Culture: About 1,000 students filled Hardin High School for the district’s Native American Heritage Day powwow, with dancers in full regalia and students describing how the songs and regalia help them feel they belong. Healthcare & Workforce: Montana State University opened its new nursing education building in Billings, part of a statewide expansion aimed at boosting training capacity and strengthening hospital partnerships. Local Pride & Tradition: MSU’s 2026 homecoming parade rolled through downtown Bozeman, blending Bobcat spirit with community groups, including Native representation. Sports Policy: Montana’s AGs are pushing Congress to add women’s sports protections to the Protect College Sports Act, arguing for privacy, safety, and fair competition. Public Access & Outdoor Life: A settlement is nearing end in a Montana schools case over how Native American history is taught, with new oversight and tribal input built into the agreement. Arts & Learning: The Museum of the Rockies gave visitors a first look at its new planetarium show on interstellar flight, designed to make space science feel hands-on and reachable.

Education & Culture: A Montana schools settlement is nearing the finish line in a Native American history teaching case, with new oversight requiring IEFA to be integrated across curriculum and developed with tribal nations. Local Education & Workforce: Malta Public Schools is dealing with teacher shortages, leaving its long-running band program temporarily without a band instructor. Community & Arts: Billings Symphony kicks off its Classic Series season Saturday and auditions new music director candidates across the 2026-27 season. Agriculture & Local Flavor: Lewistown’s first “Harvest Train” rolls Oct. 2 on the Charlie Russell Chew Choo, pairing farm-to-table dining with Central Montana producers. Sports & Skills: MSU-Northern students won national SkillsUSA medals in power equipment technology, technical drafting, and automotive service. Civic Life: Kalispell’s chamber backs CI-132 to keep Montana judicial elections nonpartisan. Public Lands & Safety: A Montana FWP plan targets illegally introduced bass in Livingston’s Sacajawea Lagoon to protect cutthroat trout.

MT Education Freedom: Gov. Greg Gianforte hosted an education freedom roundtable in Great Falls, highlighting open enrollment, the Montana Digital Academy, and Big Sky Scholarships as lawmakers gear up for the next session. Nursing Expansion: Montana State University opened a new Billings nursing education building, funded by a $101M Jones donation, adding simulation and skills training space for a growing health workforce. Local School Options: Ronan Charter Academy is expanding a hybrid path to graduation for students who need flexibility to stay enrolled. Teacher Shortage Pressure: Rural districts like Malta say staffing gaps are forcing tough choices, with band programs left without qualified teachers and broader turnover concerns looming. Wildlife & Fishing Management: Montana FWP will hold a public meeting Oct. 1 on removing illegally introduced bass from Livingston’s Sacajawea Lagoon to protect cutthroat trout and the Yellowstone River system. Courts & Voting: The Kalispell Chamber endorsed CI-132 to keep Montana judicial elections nonpartisan, arguing small businesses need predictable, politics-free rulings. Immigration Detention Scrutiny: Federal watchdog reports say ICE wasted tens of millions expanding detention capacity without solid planning, including unused tents and costly warehouse purchases. Culture Calendar: Billings Symphony kicks off its Classic Series with conductor candidate auditions, while Opera Montana brings “A River Runs Through It” back to Montana stages.

Education & Grants: Montana’s Office of Public Instruction won two federal grants, including $3.15M to strengthen the MAST assessment system and improve how educators use data for classroom instruction and nutrition supports. Local Governance & Safety: A Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission vote rejected a proposal to require hunters and trappers to carry bear spray, with supporters citing safety and critics calling it unnecessary added gear. Wildlife Management: The commission also moved forward on reformed predator management after updated wolf estimates showed earlier counts were too high, aiming for a more transparent, metrics-based approach. Community & Culture: Ronan hosted community paint days to build a downtown mural celebrating native fish, wildlife, and local land connections, with volunteers painting bull trout and trumpeter swans. Workforce & Opportunity: The CSKT and Montana Department of Labor & Industry Workforce & Career Expo drew 200+ reservation students and 40+ vendors to connect young people with training and career pathways. Health & Family Life: AAA reports child safety seat use drops sharply after age 3, urging parents to keep kids in the right restraint as they grow. Arts & Pop Culture: Netflix’s “Unabomber” keeps sparking debate as it revisits Ted Kaczynski’s Harvard-era psychological experiment—while Montana’s own culture scene keeps rolling with fall events and festivals.

Community Safety & Activism: Take Back the Night returned to Sault Ste. Marie with a candlelight march calling for an end to intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and sexual assault. Education Funding: A new state study says Montana’s K-12 system is short by $213 million, raising questions about fairness in how state dollars are distributed. Workforce & Opportunity: The CSKT and Montana Department of Labor & Industry Workforce & Career Expo in Polson drew 300+ attendees, including 200+ reservation students, with 40+ vendors and career pathways. Native Culture & Arts: Red Lodge is set to host the Neighboring Nations Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival Oct. 9–12, featuring artists, films, food, and vendors representing 19 tribal nations. Mental Health & Community Care: St. Ignatius will host a Community Art Gathering for 988 awareness and suicide prevention, creating designs for a future coin and banner. Wildlife & Daily Life: Ronan volunteers painted a new downtown mural celebrating bull trout, trumpeter swans, and local habitat restoration. Public Health Leadership: Gov. Gianforte announced DPHHS director Charlie Brereton will step down Oct. 30, with Dr. Doug Harrington taking over. Policy & Accountability: A GAO report says ICE wasted millions during rapid detention expansion, including warehouse purchases and planning failures.

Education & Community Arts: Missoula Children’s Theater brings a full week of stage magic to small-town Montana, with 10 students performing in Nye after just five days of rehearsals. Wildlife & Outdoor Living: NFWF announces $13.3 million in Western grants to protect winter range and migration corridors for mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and more, including projects in Montana. Tribal History & Healing: Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes repatriate the remains of three Carlisle Indian Industrial School victims, bringing them home for reburial and community remembrance. Public Safety in Indian Country: Montana AG Austin Knudsen testifies on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, stressing jurisdictional challenges and that men and boys are also missing. Local Governance & Ballots: Montana Supreme Court orders a Butte data-center initiative to appear on the November ballot after a signature deadline dispute. Culture & Lifestyle: Bike polo is thriving at UM, turning a parking garage into a summer hangout and a real “lifestyle” sport. Sports & Identity: A U.S. Supreme Court ruling keeps state bans on transgender girls’ and women’s sports in place under Title IX, shaping what happens next in school athletics.

Montana Supreme Court & Ballots: The court issued an injunction to keep a Butte data center initiative on the November ballot after a signature deadline dispute. Wildlife & Community Safety: Bears are “spinning out” in southern Montana, with Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials pointing to food shortages and more aggressive bear behavior near people. Tech & Public Trust: CubCloud AI says it’s applying to power Montana’s first fleet of Tesla Cybercabs, raising fresh questions about passenger safety in autonomous rides. Native Nations & Policy: Tribal leaders at the ATNI convention discussed AI, data sovereignty, mail-in voting, and proposed federal legislation affecting Indian Country. Housing, Recovery & Services: The YWCA of Helena held its Rise and Shine breakfast, spotlighting recovery stories and ongoing needs for housing and support. Education & Conservation: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering a free educator workshop in Miles City (Oct. 15) with classroom readers and an optional field trip. Arts & Small-Town Life: Ennis launched its public art program with a new mural at the Senior Center. Local Government: Excelsior City Council candidates are set for the Nov. 3 election, with voter guide coverage now out. Public Health: The Red Cross is urging blood donations during Preparedness Month, with incentives for donors.