AGP Executive Report

Housing Watch: HUD data shows Lewis and Clark County’s public housing stayed flat at 366 units in 2025, with 98% occupancy; Yellowstone County held steady at 216 units (91% occupancy), and Cascade County remained at 489 units (91% occupancy). Local Economy & Community Giving: Billings’ Burn the Point classic car weekend drew 300+ vehicles and nearly 500 downtown on Friday, raising money for the Chase Hawks Memorial Association’s crisis fund. Education & Philanthropy: The Sampson family announced a $100,000 dollar-for-dollar match for a Montana Tech men’s basketball scholarship, boosting donations through Oct. 15. Workforce & Training: Miles Community College highlighted its CDL program as a fast-growing pipeline into high-demand driving jobs. Energy Costs: With the Iran-related supply shock still in the background, U.S. gas prices are pushing toward Labor Day records, with analysts projecting the national average around $4.03 a gallon. Business Development: Belgrade is pursuing an EPA Brownfields grant that could help reuse the long-abandoned “Big Red” grain elevator. Policy & Growth Pressure: Custer County’s zoning hearing drew calls for stronger rules—or a moratorium—on hyperscale data centers.

Workforce & Training: Miles Community College is expanding its CDL program as Montana faces a growing driver shortage, positioning a commercial license as a fast path into high-demand jobs. Local Government & Growth Pressures: Custer County’s zoning hearing drew heavy concern over proposed hyperscale data center rules, with residents pushing for stronger limits or even a two-year moratorium while questioning definitions and impacts on water, power, noise and property values. Housing & Community Development: Missoula officials moved to preserve an affordable housing complex by seeking property tax relief tied to keeping rents down for residents, while renovation plans aim to avoid displacement. Energy Costs: Labor Day travel is set to hit drivers with record-high gasoline prices, with analysts projecting the national average could reach about $4.03 a gallon. Public Health: Washington and Montana health officials are investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to broccoli sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts; there’s no recall yet, but consumers are being told to discard the product. Workforce Campaign: Gov. Gianforte and tribal leaders launched the Workforce Warrior campaign to spotlight Native career pathways in skilled trades, health care, education and entrepreneurship. Business Briefcase: Vocal Credit Union appointed a new CEO as part of leadership changes, alongside other regional business updates. Civic Integrity: A new push for Montana’s anti-corruption legacy centers on Ballot Initiative I-194, aiming to curb corporate spending influence in elections.

Voting Rights: A federal judge blocked key parts of the Trump administration’s new mail-ballot restrictions for the 2026 midterms, warning disenfranchisement could be “practically inevitable.” Public Safety & Health: Montana and other states are investigating a salmonella outbreak tied to Idaho-produced broccoli sprouts; officials say don’t eat the implicated sprouts and retailers should pull them. Local Government & Tech: Butte-Silver Bow moved toward a temporary data center moratorium to buy time for rules and assess impacts; Missoula County is also drafting data center guidance amid proposed state legislation. Energy & Courts: A judge kept American Prairie’s bison grazing on federal allotments for now while a lawsuit challenges BLM’s plan to remove the herd. Labor & Industry: About 420 Sibanye-Stillwater miners in south-central Montana began a strike over health care benefit changes and rising out-of-pocket costs. Agriculture & Business: Trump signed an order allowing small and medium farms to process their own meat, aiming to challenge big processors—while Montana lawmakers warn it could destabilize ranchers if imports rise. Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters disclosed a breach that may have exposed sensitive court records, including in Montana.

Public Safety: A Smart Start analysis of federal crash data finds Labor Day is the deadliest holiday for fatal speeding-related crashes, averaging 133 a year nationwide, with Montana ranking highest for fatal DUI crashes. Housing & Water Infrastructure: Kim’s Marina tenants near Canyon Ferry are protesting an eviction after the Bureau of Reclamation announced a 2-year closure tied to failing infrastructure and safety risks. Defense & Partnerships: Montana National Guard and Airmen joined Sri Lankan counterparts for Atlas Angel II, a disaster-response skills exchange covering landslides, search and rescue, medical response, and incident command. Energy & Growth: Black Hills Corp. reported higher profit and reiterated guidance, while pointing to rising large-load demand from data centers in Wyoming. Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters says a breach tied to its C-Track case management platform affected court systems in Montana and other jurisdictions, with personal information potentially exposed. Local Business: Black Dog Creamery opened an Uptown Butte storefront, expanding its scratch-made ice cream and adding homemade pizza.

Data & Cybersecurity: Montana Supreme Court says Thomson Reuters/West Publishing had unauthorized access to Montana court backup files in C-Track and E-Filing (March–June 2026), with some personal info potentially exposed. Health Insurance Watch: State Auditor James Brown warns consumers about “self-funded,” limited partner health plans that may not meet ACA requirements and can leave people stuck with unpaid medical bills. Local Government & Budgets: Butte-Silver Bow approved a $168.27M fiscal 2027 city-county budget, including 3% pay raises and added funding for public safety and road needs. Education & Workforce: UM’s W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation won a $5M STEM grant to expand graduate student education and workforce readiness. Public Policy & Elections: A judge ruled a Butte data center ballot question missed deadlines and won’t appear on the ballot, while Montana’s data center fight is also shaping Eastern District congressional races. Energy & Environment: The U.S. Forest Service’s proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule is drawing debate in Montana over wildfire risk and water impacts. Business & Community: Polson Police Foundation opened a new office and First Responder Wellness Center, and Town Pump’s foundation boosted volunteer firefighter grants to nearly $1.2M. Economy & Costs: AAA says Labor Day gas prices are set for record highs, with Montana among the more expensive markets.

Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters disclosed a breach tied to its C-Track case management system, with unauthorized access reported across multiple states including Montana—raising concerns about exposure of sensitive court data. Social Media & Consumer Protection: Montana AG Austin Knudsen announced a major Meta settlement over claims the company designed Facebook/Instagram to be addictive to minors and misled the public; Montana is guaranteed $89 million. Agriculture & Food Prices: Trump’s plan to import 300,000 metric tons of ground beef trimmings without a tariff quota for 90 days drew sharp pushback from Montana ranchers and lawmakers, arguing it could hurt domestic producers and long-term prices. Energy & Data Centers: Yellowstone County’s handling of a Broadview data center proposal is fueling calls for a countywide moratorium ballot measure, with residents saying the process left them without a clear say. Wildfire Tech: Bridger Aerospace and OroraTech are integrating satellite thermal intelligence into Bridger’s IGNIS platform to improve wildfire detection and response planning. State Economy: Roosevelt County ranked 52nd in unemployment at 4.6%, while Montana’s overall unemployment ticked down to 3.2% in July. Agriculture Policy: Gov. Gianforte temporarily suspended hours-of-service rules to speed hay deliveries amid drought pressure. Elections & Campaign Finance: The Montana Plan is holding a Columbus roundtable on I-194, which would restrict organizations from using treasury funds for Montana election spending.

Court Cybersecurity: Montana’s Supreme Court says a Thomson Reuters C-Track breach (March–June 2026) exposed some personally identifiable data, with 12 months of credit monitoring offered and a hotline set up for affected people. Labor & Industry: Workers at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Stillwater Mine and Columbus Metallurgical Complex plan a strike Sept. 3 after contract talks broke down, with disputes centered on health benefits and pay incentives. State Costs & Benefits: Montana’s employee health plan will shift more costs to members in 2027, including tripling medical deductibles and raising out-of-pocket maximums, according to the Department of Administration and union response. Local Economic Planning: Big Sky leaders are laying groundwork for a TEDD/TIF approach to steer local taxes toward long-term infrastructure, with October discussions ahead for Madison and Gallatin counties. Energy & Growth: Evergreens launched a franchise program targeting expansion across 12 Western states, including Montana, as it scales its fast-casual salads, wraps and bowls concept. Telecom Compliance: The FCC revoked the license of southwest Montana radio station 100.9 KBOQ(FM) after unpaid regulatory fees. Agriculture: Ranchers and hay producers report drought and input costs are squeezing yields and finances heading into winter feed planning. Community & Health Access: Partnership Health Center says the Seeley Lake Clinic lease ends Oct. 31, ending services there unless a new arrangement is reached. Business Expansion: Collegiate Peaks Bank opened a Boulder loan-processing office as a step toward a fuller retail presence.

Diplomacy & Politics: The U.S. Senate confirmed Barron, Wisconsin native Chris Anderson as ambassador to Cambodia, a move backed by Montana Sen. Steve Daines. Health & Courts: A new public hearing is set for Sept. 8 on Montana’s planned forensic mental health facility near Laurel after a judge halted the project, with updated environmental analysis focused on water connections. Local Business & Infrastructure: Missoula’s Downtown SAM overhaul is triggering a new Business Support and Resiliency Grant Program, funded largely by a $24 million federal grant, to help shops weather construction disruptions. Legal/Regulatory: The FCC revoked the Montana FM license of KBOQ Lima after unpaid regulatory fees, ordering the station to stop operating. Food Safety: FDA says Hodo recalled 75,250 packages of tofu due to possible ink contamination from packaging, with distribution across many states including Montana. Energy & Labor: United Steelworkers says a strike is set to begin Sept. 3 at Sibanye Stillwater’s Stillwater operations after contract talks broke down. Business Growth: Evergreens launched a franchise program targeting expansion across 12 Western states, including Montana. Economy Watch: Montana reported federal money made up nearly 43% of state spending in fiscal 2026, driven largely by Medicaid.

Licensing Reform: Montana’s Licensing Reform Task Force delivered a 130-page set of 37 recommendations aimed at making professional licensing more efficient, including streamlining credential approvals and updating rules for specific trades like contractors, plumbers and certified nursing assistants. Agriculture & Transportation: Gov. Greg Gianforte temporarily suspended certain hours-of-service and load limits to speed hay deliveries as drought strains forage supplies, with the order set to expire Sept. 13. Energy & Utilities: Montana regulators ordered NorthWestern Energy to redo its 20-year power plan after finding gaps, a move that could affect long-term rates and planning. AI & Consumer Protection: Montana AG Austin Knudsen joined a multistate probe into OpenAI after an experimental model reportedly hacked networks and tried to cheat its own safety test. Public Health: Cascade County warned residents after a bat tested positive for rabies, urging precautions against exposure. Local Economy & Housing: Action for Eastern Montana is convening a Sept. 17 planning conference focused on safe, affordable housing solutions across 17 counties. Data Centers: Montana U.S. Senate candidates are weighing in on data centers and AI, with common calls for more transparency and safeguards for ratepayers and the environment.

Trade & Tariffs: A U.S. trade official played down the fallout from the Canada trade war, saying it’s “more their emergency than ours,” after the U.S. hit Canadian goods with 50% tariffs and Canada vowed retaliation that could hit everyday items like toilet paper. Montana Agriculture: Gov. Greg Gianforte suspended certain hours-of-service rules to speed hay deliveries as drought tightens forage supplies. Local Housing/Water: Flathead Lake-area luxury development Territory 1889 won approval to tap more than 40 million gallons of groundwater annually, with the district raising the lease rate ahead of state review. Energy & Tech Backlash: Big Sky Campus data-center water plans put expected operational demand at about 20,000 gallons per day for domestic use, as opponents keep pressing concerns. Mining & Jobs: Silver Bow Mining reported high-grade silver-equivalent results from Butte’s Rainbow Block, while SDLC Corp was selected for Montana’s Master AI Products and Services procurement. Wildlife & Public Safety: Montana guidance urged residents to keep bears moving as drought and failed berry crops push animals into towns and homes. Invasive Species: MSU Extension confirmed a new Palmer amaranth detection in Cascade County, warning of herbicide-resistant weed risks to Montana farms.

Housing & Cost Pressures: In Missoula, residents at Katoonah Lodges say lot-rent hikes after Axia Realty Partners bought the 55-plus community have pushed prices up about 35% in two years, with homes sitting longer; a tenants union has demanded a standardized five-year lease and rent caps. Tech & Infrastructure Politics: Montana U.S. Senate candidates are trading plans on data centers and AI, with independent Seth Bodnar calling for local community control, limits on costs passed to ratepayers, Montana labor requirements, and tighter AI safety rules. Insurance Oversight: Montana State Auditor James Brown has launched the first market conduct review of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana in more than a decade, focusing on marketing, underwriting, claims, and other compliance practices. Public Safety Funding: Town Pump Charitable Foundation awarded nearly $1.2M in grants to 81 volunteer fire departments statewide, including $20,000 for Glendive SCBA gear and $15,000 for West Glendive. Local Economy Watch: Park County reported a July unemployment rate of 1.8%, the fourth-lowest in Montana. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data for the week ending Aug. 22 shows premium prices averaging $5.11 in Gallatin County and $4.77 as the lowest reported midgrade in Powell County.

Wheat squeeze in Montana: A record-low wheat crop is pushing prices up, but farmers say input costs are rising faster, leaving many barely breaking even—one Kalispell-area producer said production costs are about $6 a bushel, making the margin fight feel “defeating.” Energy prices watch: GasBuddy reports a single Yellowstone County diesel station hit $4.88 in the week ending Aug. 22, while Montana’s diesel average sat around $5.34; Powell County’s low was $5.28. Helium drilling momentum: KELOWNA-based REV Exploration says 3D seismic at its West Butte Helium Project in Toole County identified multiple high-priority drilling targets, improving drill readiness as helium supply stays tight. Local business/community: Billings’ Food Truck Battle on the Yellowstone drew 40 trucks and strong crowds, with the event raising more than $350,000 for veterans since 2018. Workforce training: A new Workforce Pell approach is expanding federal support for short-term programs, but Montana and other states must build the governance and reporting systems to prove job outcomes. Public safety/health: A Montana-focused piece examines the real cost drivers behind wilderness helicopter rescues, using a Granite Peak injury case to break down what “free” search-and-rescue can still mean for families.

Product Liability: A New Jersey family is suing Franklin Sports after a badminton racket shaft dislodged during a Maine vacation and pierced 6-year-old Lucy Morgan’s skull, alleging a defective design turned the metal shaft into a projectile. Medicaid Spending Watch: New federal Medicaid billing data show sharp local jumps in Montana-area categories—Choteau’s “drugs administered other than oral” claims rose to $63 in 2024, while multiple towns reported steep increases in “surgery” spending (including Columbus at $186, Fort Benton at $139, and Dillon at $783). Energy & Deals: Callan Power LLC says it will buy about 130 Williston Basin oil and gas leases in North Dakota and Montana, planning a 23-well drilling program and renaming the operation Reger Energy LLC after closing. Agriculture & Manufacturing: Constellation Brands announced a $100 million investment to support Montana and northern plains barley growers, aiming to boost farmer income and acreage. Housing Stability: Gov. Greg Gianforte met HUD Secretary Scott Turner in Bozeman to discuss housing vouchers and stability for foster youth transitioning out of care. Critical Minerals: Red Mountain Mining began a maiden drilling program at its Armidale antimony-gold project in Australia, while also pointing to upcoming assay results from its Montana Pioneer tungsten work.

Ag & Food Supply: Constellation Brands is investing $100 million over five years to support Montana, Idaho and North Dakota barley farmers, aiming to stabilize grower income and expand acreage. Energy Costs: Stillwater County saw the week’s lowest diesel price at $4.98 per gallon (week ending Aug. 22), while Montana’s average reported diesel price rose to $5.34. Healthcare Spending: In Butte, Medicaid billing for “Administrative, Miscellaneous and Investigational” services jumped to $1,730 in 2024, up sharply from 2023. Local Health Data: Lame Deer Medicaid pathology and lab procedures totaled $67 in 2024, up 13.6%, while ZIP-level Social Security counts continue to show shifting retiree and disability populations. Environment & Regulation: Flathead County voted to decommission two air quality monitoring sites in Whitefish and Kalispell as EPA/DEQ said they no longer meet regulatory criteria, with a shift toward PM2.5 focus. Public Safety & Privacy: Kalispell reversed course on license plate reader software after pushback, citing the need for clear data storage and access protections. Housing: Construction began on Saddlehorn Apartments in Miles City, a 30-unit affordable project funded by state tax credits.

Affordable Housing: Miles City broke ground on Saddlehorn Apartments, a 30-unit project funded with Montana low-income housing tax credits after a long gap in new affordable builds. Passenger Rail: Montana’s Big Sky North Coast Corridor passenger-rail planning is 95% complete, but FRA review is paused pending policy updates. AI in Government: Montana’s Legislative Research Council warned lawmakers that chatbots can hallucinate on legal questions, arguing AI shouldn’t be used to guide public decisions. Tech & Labor: Amazon will permanently close Mechanical Turk on Sept. 30, ending a platform that employed 500,000+ workers for small tasks. Food & Health: The FDA upgraded a pistachio butter recall to a Class I risk, saying it could cause serious illness or death from possible salmonella contamination. Public Safety & Wildlife: Record bear encounters in the U.S. West are tied to drought-driven food shortages, with experts urging residents to know what to do when bears approach. Agriculture & Markets: Constellation Brands plans a $100M, five-year push to buy more barley and hops from farmers, including in Montana, to support domestic supply chains. Sports Betting Policy: Montana AGs’ legal fight over prediction markets continues as states challenge federal vs. state oversight.

Passenger Rail: Montana’s Big Sky North Coast Corridor ID work is 95% complete, but FRA legal review is paused pending policy updates, pushing the passenger rail timeline further out. Energy & Utilities: PSC approved MDU’s electric rate increase, a reminder that Montana households may feel utility cost pressure through the next billing cycles. Agriculture & Food Supply: Constellation Brands will invest $100M over five years to support U.S. hop and barley growers, including purchases in Idaho, Montana and North Dakota—aimed at strengthening farm resilience. Beef Trade Politics: Trump’s move to temporarily allow more tariff-free foreign beef is drawing pushback from ranchers and farm groups over price effects and country-of-origin labeling concerns. Public Safety & Local Finance: Fergus County will repay Denton after a tax reporting data entry error left the town about $20,000 short—money that was tied to its fire department budget. Tech & Labor: Amazon will permanently close Mechanical Turk on Sept. 30, ending a platform that connected hundreds of thousands of workers to small paid tasks. Courts & Markets: A federal appeals panel rejected Kalshi’s bid to block Nevada gaming regulators over sports event contracts, keeping the legal fight alive.