AGP Executive Report

Outdoor Recreation & Policy: Wyoming outfitters say trail access is getting worse as dead trees pile up, and they’re pushing the Forest Service to let chainsaws operate in designated wilderness—despite the Wilderness Act’s ban on motorized tools. Wildlife & Montana Life: A suspected plague die-off thinned prairie dogs near Billings, but FWP says sylvatic plague is a known, recurring risk in colonies. Community & Family Fun: Spark Children’s Museum reopens in Great Falls with expanded, STEM-focused hands-on exhibits and accessibility upgrades. Culture & Education: MSU hosts a free Juneteenth celebration June 19 with food, live music, storytelling quilt activities, and community resources. Sports & Local Pride: Thousands of runners filled Helena for the 2026 Governor’s Cup (half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1-mile). Arts & Storytelling: “Outside Ain’t Free” brings a Montana-to-Memphis outdoors documentary tour aimed at inspiring more Black and brown people to claim outdoor spaces. Public Safety & Leadership: Montana DOC names Natalia Bowser deputy director, moving from her innovation chief role.

Family & Learning: Spark Children’s Museum reopens in Great Falls with expanded, STEM-focused hands-on exhibits and improved accessibility for kids of all abilities. Community Health & Food Access: Northern Montana Health Care and the Community Food Bank team up for the Food Farmacy program, delivering cooking supplies so eligible clients can prepare healthier meals. Civil Rights in Schools: A Montana op-ed argues Section 504 is a real civil-rights promise that rural communities can’t afford to weaken, especially for students and patients who rely on accommodations. Juneteenth in Montana: Montana State University hosts a free Juneteenth celebration June 19 with food, music, storytelling quilt activities, and community resources. Wildlife Watch: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks says a suspected prairie dog die-off near Billings may be sylvatic plague—concerning, but part of the disease’s recurring cycle. Montana Government: Natalia Bowser is named deputy director of the Montana Department of Corrections, bringing experience from the Montana Board of Crime Control. Culture & Outdoors: “Outside Ain’t Free” launches an outdoor film tour aimed at inspiring more Black and brown people to claim space in the outdoors, with screenings across the U.S. National Parks History: A federal judge orders the Trump administration to restore removed slavery, climate, and civil-rights exhibits at national parks.

Juneteenth in Bozeman: Montana State University is hosting a free Juneteenth celebration June 19 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) with food, live music, raffles, and hands-on storytelling quilt activities, plus an off-campus community gathering later that day. Community Fundraiser: Greenway Days continues with “Throw with Grace,” a charity disc golf ace race in Rapid City that benefits Make-A-Wish of South Dakota and Montana. Accessibility Watch: A Montana op-ed argues Section 504 is a real civil-rights promise for rural residents with disabilities—and warns it’s at risk. Sports & Grit: Livingston-area rider Kim Greene and teammate Heidi Johnson-Fry were inducted into the “Epic Legends” Hall of Fame after completing a grueling multi-race mountain bike trilogy. Wildlife Health: Billings-area prairie dog numbers are dropping after a suspected plague die-off; officials say sylvatic plague is recurring and not a reason for panic. Local Learning: Bozeman Public Library kicks off free summer programs for kids and adults, including an all-ages reading-and-adventure “Library Scout” push and daily summer lunches. Public Lands Politics: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore National Park Service interpretive materials removed since 2025, blocking further censorship while the case is pending. Montana Chamber: The Montana Chamber boards met in Meagher County for a spring retreat, touring Black Butte Copper Mine and finalizing planning for the next strategic push. Culture & Community: The Anaconda Leader newspaper has shut down after 55 years, citing inflation and rising operating costs.

Montana Chamber & Community Life: The Montana Chamber of Commerce and Foundation boards met in Meagher County for a spring retreat, touring the Black Butte Copper Mine and meeting at the historic Ringling Church as they finalize the next strategic plan. Montana Heritage & Culture: Montana’s congressional delegation is submitting a silver belt buckle to the U.S. Capitol time capsule for the 250th anniversary—meant to spotlight ranching, cowboy culture, and the “American West” story. Parks & Public Education: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore National Park Service interpretive materials removed under a censorship directive, potentially bringing back banned signs and exhibits. Outdoor Lifestyle: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is opening registration for game damage hunt rosters starting June 15, including deer/elk/antelope and occasional bison removal. Family & Learning: Bozeman Public Library launched free summer programs for kids and adults, including Library Scout challenges and a free summer lunch program starting June 15. Health & Food Access: Northern Montana Health Care and HRDC’s Community Food Bank teamed up for the Food Farmacy program, delivering cooking supplies to help clients prepare healthier meals. Local Media: Anaconda’s long-running Anaconda Leader newspaper shut down after 55 years, with the final edition published June 11.

Local Sports: Butte High junior Cadence Graham committed to play basketball at Montana Tech, keeping her career close to home and teaming up with her father, Jeff Graham, on the same sideline. Community & Culture: Disability Rights Montana is bringing the Netflix documentary “Crip Camp” to Shelby next Tuesday at the Sagebrush Event Center—free, no donations, and open to all. Public Health & Aging: Montana leaders are pushing for stronger state oversight of Medicare Advantage plans to better protect seniors when coverage and provider networks go wrong. Immigration & Courts: A federal jury convicted a Honduran woman in Great Falls on immigration-related charges after prosecutors said she illegally reentered and transported an unlawfully present passenger. Outdoors & Recreation: Congressman Ryan Zinke introduced legislation to extend major investments in national parks, public lands, and outdoor recreation. Libraries & Learning: Bozeman Public Library launched free summer programming for kids and adults, including an all-ages “Library Scout” reading-and-exploration challenge and a free summer lunch program. Native Communities: Montana’s American Indian Caucus is gearing up for what could be its biggest yet, with multiple Native lawmakers poised for the November election. Local Media: Anaconda’s long-running Anaconda Leader newspaper abruptly shut down, ending a 55-year run.

Montana Education & Community: Montana hit a $1 billion milestone in permanent investment from state trust land revenues, boosting predictable K-12 funding through the Trust Fund Investment Pool. Local Governance & Lifestyle: Missoula-area residents are organizing to oppose a proposed Bonner data center, pushing for a moratorium over water use claims and backup power concerns. Culture & Learning: The University of Montana School of Social Work earned a national innovation award for a justice-oriented, place-based field education model designed to expand access for rural and Indigenous students. Wildlife & Outdoors: Yellowstone National Park is investigating the death of a Colorado man whose body was found floating in Yellowstone Lake near Bridge Bay, with officials reminding visitors that conditions can turn dangerous fast. Public Health & Care: A new report highlights uneven early care and education funding across states, with Montana among those not spending above required minimums. Sports & Spotlight: Montana’s presence in STEM and athletics continues to grow, including UM-linked recognition at STEM Signing Day and broader regional sports coverage.

Medicaid Work Rules: The Trump administration released final federal rules requiring many Medicaid enrollees to prove they’re working, training, volunteering, or in school—states now scramble to update systems before a Jan. 1, 2027 start. Immigration Detention Scrutiny: A GAO report says mismanagement at Camp East Montana in Texas wasted millions, endangered detainees, and even involved missing or destroyed materials tied to a death. Native History & Community: Tribal leaders are preparing for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, including new interpretive efforts and a landmark historian panel. Education Milestone: Montana announced it has topped $1 billion in permanent K-12 funding from trust land revenues. Local Health: Missoula Public Health received opioid abatement funding to expand overdose prevention and harm-reduction programs. Arts & Books: Mac Barnett’s adult debut “Make Believe” spotlights why children’s literature matters, while Montana’s library shelves add fresh kids’ and teen reads. Culture & Lifestyle: New Ulm’s Farmers Market opens at River Bend with a new run of local vendors. Wildlife Notes: A Montana Natural History Center field note celebrates lichens and what they reveal about survival in harsh conditions.

ICE Oversight in Montana: A new federal watchdog report says Camp East Montana suffered “millions of dollars of waste” and serious safety and oversight failures, including missing perimeter cameras and gaps in medical services. Immigration Enforcement & Community Impact: Separate reporting highlights ongoing ICE activity and family separations tied to raids, keeping Montana readers focused on how federal enforcement lands on real people. Trans Rights in Hawaiʻi: A look at rising national hostility toward trans and māhū communities shows how federal policy shifts can quickly reshape local safety and care access. Medicare Advantage Accountability (Op-Ed): Montana seniors are calling for stronger state enforcement of Medicare Advantage rules, arguing delays and limited oversight leave consumers exposed. Montana Education & Outdoors: FWP is offering summer professional development for educators to bring fish and wildlife learning into classrooms. Local Schools Leadership: Krystal Irby was named principal at South Baker Intermediate, stepping into a role focused on student performance and school culture. Culture & Pride: A Pride reflection from Montana-area community voices centers on belonging, queer resilience, and small acts of connection. World Cup Culture: FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage ramps up with match-day hype, music tie-ins, and betting guides for fans heading into the tournament.

Immigration & Accountability: A new federal GAO report says Camp East Montana (Fort Bliss, Texas) was rushed into operation, wasting $11.5 million on meals before detainees arrived and citing unsafe conditions, medical failures, and missing or destroyed records tied to deaths. Local Politics: In Gallatin County, a lawsuit challenges the 2020 ICE 287(g) agreement, arguing it wasn’t properly approved by commissioners. Community & Pride: Great Falls’ LGBTQ+ Center re-opens June 12 in a new, more “homey” location with book clubs, art nights, and a backyard for events. Education & Reading: Billings’ “Reading Rocks” summer program brings free books and weekly reading time to parks to fight the “summer slide.” Culture & Learning: A “Writing Montana” workshop is set for June 20 at Pictograph Cave State Park, using the park’s natural and historical setting to spark new work. Nature & Outdoors: Montana Master Gardeners in Polson are planting native species on Main Street corners and expanding community garden efforts. Sports & Community Buzz: The 2026 World Cup kicks off today, with Canada bracing for matches, fan festivals, and cultural events. Montana History & Memory: The Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary is marked with Billings’ “The Wall That Heals” replica memorial running July 2-5. Arts & Film: Whitefish’s Westland Impact Festival (June 11-13) returns with solar-powered events, Indigenous forums, and sustainability-focused storytelling.

Indigenous Made Summer Market (Missoula): The Indigenous Made Summer Market returns to Caras Park this Saturday, bringing 60+ Native artists and makers for a day of culture, creativity, and community. Film & Identity: SIFF highlights Indigenous-made docs “Are You Native?” and “Powwow People,” exploring powwow life, grief, and reconnecting with roots—plus a Montana connection. LGBTQ+ Community Tension (Western Montana): A new viewpoint piece raises concerns about how the Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center feels to longtime participants, questioning whether the “belonging” promise matches day-to-day experience. Immigration Oversight Shock (Camp East Montana): A federal watchdog report details major safety and oversight failures at ICE’s Camp East Montana, including millions in waste and missing or destroyed evidence tied to a detainee death. Local Education: UM hires experienced MCPS educator Joseph Crider to support future teachers and K-12 schools, bringing current classroom know-how into teacher training. Wildlife & Wonder: A feature on ospreys spotlights why these fish-hunting raptors are such a clear sign of how human choices affect nature.

Cold Case Justice (Missoula): Missoula prosecutors filed deliberate homicide charges in the 1990 Riverside Health Care Center deaths of Bertha Scott and Nancy Lagerquist, accusing Nickie Dean Gardiner; investigators say modern DNA testing linked him to both victims, and he’s held on a $5 million warrant. Immigration Oversight (Montana ties): A federal watchdog report says Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss wasted up to $11.5 million before detainees arrived and flagged serious safety and medical failures, including missing evidence in a death later ruled a homicide. Sports & Policy (Transgender athletes): Nine Republican governors, including Montana’s, urged the NCAA to overhaul its transgender student athlete policy, arguing current rules leave fairness to individual sports. Local Governance & Courts (ICE records dispute): Montana AG Austin Knudsen asked the Montana Supreme Court to dismiss a Gallatin County case over access to court records for immigration enforcement, calling it a political question. Community & Culture (Montana PBS): Montana PBS won two Northwest Emmy Awards for “11th and Grant” and a university concert production. Youth & Education (4-H): The Montana 4-H Foundation awarded about $40,000 in scholarships to 45 students statewide. Juneteenth (Hebron): Hebron, with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and local groups, plans Juneteenth events featuring a Frederick Douglass portrayal and a community celebration.

Immigration Oversight: A new GAO report says the Trump-era Camp East Montana detention center in Texas was rushed, failed basic medical and safety standards, and wasted tens of millions—citing missing use-of-force/death records and a loaded gun lost inside the facility. Montana Community & Culture: Downtown Bozeman’s 2026 Art Walk season kicks off June 12 with Emerson Center festivities and monthly gallery-and-shop events through September. Wildfire Readiness: Gov. Gianforte proclaimed Wildfire Smoke Ready Week, urging Montanans to plan now for indoor air protection as smoke season approaches. Local Education & Agriculture: UW Extension hired veteran pilot Erik Bailly as an educator in Sublette County, while the Montana Agribusiness Foundation named its 2026 scholarship recipients supporting future ag and rural leaders. Environment & Recreation: Opponents are pushing back on a Yellowstone-area logging project, saying emergency fast-tracking could harm wildlife habitat and tourism. Faith & Community: Missoula broke ground on a new LDS temple, marking a long-awaited regional spiritual hub.

Faith & Community: Missoula’s new LDS temple broke ground, marking the city’s long-awaited addition and a regional spiritual hub. Local Culture: Billings’ long-running Mexican Fiesta returns July 18 at South Park, promising food, music, vendors, and family-friendly fun. Education & Tech: Montana school boards are starting to consider generative AI guidelines for classrooms, using state association language to balance learning and student privacy. Public Health: Gov. Gianforte proclaimed Wildfire Smoke Ready Week (June 8–12), urging Montanans to protect indoor air quality before smoke arrives. Community Grants: Montana State University seed grants are funding five statewide projects for 2026–27, from rural cancer info to vaccine literacy and leadership development. Environment & Land Use: Western Watersheds Project appealed a BLM decision revoking bison grazing permits in northeastern Montana, arguing the agency reversed itself on legal grounds. Montana Spotlight: A new geology guide, “Montana Rocks!,” aims to make the state’s deep-time story accessible for summer readers.

Montana Summer Culture: Helmville’s Old Salt Festival returns June 19-21 at the Mannix Family Ranch, blending live music, ranching culture, camping, and locally raised food. Workforce & Education: The U.S. Department of Education named Montana a Connecting Talent to Opportunity Challenge semifinalist, aiming to build “Talent Marketplaces” that connect learners to jobs. Montana Outdoors & Economy: A new look at Flathead River fly-fishing spotlights how healthy waterways support Montana’s $1.27B fishing economy. Community & Learning: Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Matt Jensen was named regional Superintendent of the Year for work-based learning and personalized, competency-based education. Health Policy Watch: Medicaid work requirements are moving forward, with coverage risks for millions as states begin enforcement. Wildlife Fun: Animal Ark is bringing back Discount Days with 25% off admission weekends and new animal arrivals. Sports as Culture: Seattle’s World Cup plans lean into queer joy and neighborhood watch parties around Lumen Field. Cannabis Debate: A Montana-relevant national story highlights concerns that high-THC cannabis can raise psychosis and addiction risks.

LGBTQ+ Pride & Community: Seattle’s World Cup buzz is being powered by queer joy, with local fans planning watch parties around Lumen Field and hoping to make the games feel more accessible. Health Care & Policy: Trump’s Medicaid push is accelerating work requirements that could threaten coverage for millions, with new rules and enforcement timelines raising fresh concerns about paperwork burdens. Justice & Safety: Federal judges report escalating threats after rulings against the Trump administration, underscoring how high-stakes legal decisions are spilling into personal danger. Public Lands & Energy: Sen. Elizabeth Warren is pitching a first-day moratorium on new oil and gas drilling on federal lands, framing it as a climate and community health issue. Sports & Rights: Kansas is among states moving to bar boys from girls’ high school sports, as broader Title IX enforcement debates intensify. Montana Education & Agriculture: Helena’s Jim Darcy Elementary is using hands-on Ag Day stations to teach kids where food comes from and what Montana agriculture careers look like. Faith & Community Building: Missoula’s LDS Church broke ground on its first western Montana temple, marking a major milestone for local members. Child Safety & Reproductive Health Politics: Kalispell City Council is weighing Safe Haven Baby Boxes at fire stations after public lobbying, including arguments tied to abortion-pill access. Criminal Justice Watch: A national watchdog report highlights ongoing solitary confinement abuse across prisons, detention centers, and schools, including allegations tied to Camp East Montana.

LDS Community & Faith: Missoula broke ground on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ first western Montana temple, with hundreds attending a ceremony in Lower Miller Creek. Local Education & Culture: Kalispell Middle School history teacher Kristopher Schreiner earned the 2026 Centennial Bell Montana History Teacher of the Year for immersive, hands-on Montana history lessons. Youth & Health: Montana released 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey results, highlighting progress in student health, school safety, mental health, and substance-use prevention. Public Safety & Community Debate: Kalispell City Council is considering Safe Haven Baby Boxes at fire stations after public lobbying, including anti-abortion advocates citing crisis prevention. Justice & Human Rights: A watchdog report documents continued solitary confinement in prisons, immigration detention, jails, and public schools, including allegations tied to Camp East Montana. Agriculture in the Classroom: Helena-area students at Jim Darcy Elementary took part in an Ag Day focused on livestock, crops, and Montana careers. Sports & Pop Culture: FIFA unveiled the 2026 World Cup album and lineup, with international stars including Nigerian artists.