AGP Executive Report

Public Lands & Forestry: The Trump administration proposed repealing the 2001 “Roadless Rule,” which has limited roads and logging across about 44 million acres of national forest, including major areas in Montana, arguing it blocks wildfire and forest-health work; critics warn it could open pristine habitat to more development and raise fire risk. Energy Regulation: Montana’s Public Service Commission sent NorthWestern Energy’s 20-year energy plan back for revisions, citing deficiencies that could affect reliability and customer costs. Agriculture: Spring wheat harvest is moving fast across the Plains and Northwest; Montana’s pace is ahead of last year but behind the average, while ranchers report pressure as the national cattle herd shrinks. Local Business & Tourism: Polson’s Kwataqnuk Resort & Casino is starting a major renovation aimed at a more family-friendly setup. Community & Workforce: A Superior event in Mineral County connected residents with local service providers, and MSU’s rural STEM teacher fellowship is expanding support for educators across Montana. Food & Consumer Costs: Grocery prices remain a strain nationwide, with SNAP payment timing set for September. Surveillance & Privacy: Kalispell residents pushed back on funding for a license plate recognition camera in the city budget.

Defense & Training: Vandenberg Space Force Base broke ground on a $114M, 160,000-square-foot Sentinel training facility to consolidate missile operator and maintainer instruction for the U.S. Air Force’s new ICBM era. Mining & Materials: US Antimony’s Q2 call showed revenue down to $7.9M as antimony prices fell sharply, while zeolite sales jumped on stronger cattle nutrition demand. Forest & Wildfire Policy: USDA filed to repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, which protects about 45M acres of national forest from new roads and logging; supporters cite wildfire risk and local control, while critics warn it could open habitat to logging and fragmentation. Local Food Supply Chain: Montana farm-family founder Genevieve Priebe’s Reroot is expanding a direct-to-consumer marketplace and a voice-updating tool for growers. Housing & Construction: Yardi Matrix raised near-term apartment supply forecasts for 2026–2028, pointing to a modest rebound driven by starts and a shift toward more affordable units. Drought Response (Regional): North Dakota activated a $2M livestock water cost-share program as drought worsened. Healthcare (Montana): A new VA clinic opened in Lewistown, nearly doubling space for veterans’ care. Energy/Infrastructure (Montana): A statewide push is underway against data centers, with groups calling for a moratorium over water, power, and community impacts.

Childhood Vaccines: More than 210 medical and patient groups condemned a White House executive order that would reduce and space out recommended childhood vaccines, warning it’s not grounded in science as measles and respiratory virus season approach. Energy & AI Power Demand: Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke and others warned that expanding AI data centers could strain the power grid and raise risks for critical infrastructure. Eastern Montana Water Project: The Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority says federal authorization is moving into a new phase after Congress introduced the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authorization Act, with hearings expected this fall. Local Land-Use Governance: Park County is seeking public input on a streamlined process for citizen-initiated zoning districts in unincorporated areas. Mortgage Servicing Costs: NewRez is paying a $15.5 million multistate settlement over “force-placed” insurance charges imposed on borrowers who already had coverage, with Montana among participating regulators. Data Center Backlash: Eastern Montana residents plan a “SAY NO TO DATA CENTERS” rally Aug. 22 in Glendive tied to a proposed moratorium on new hyperscale facilities. Solar in Rural Montana: Fergus County will hold a ribbon-cutting Aug. 19 for a new 20-kilowatt rooftop solar array at the Fairgrounds Pavilion. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports midgrade prices as low as $4.29 in Lake County for the week ending Aug. 8, with Montana’s midgrade average at $4.57.

Airport Leadership: Denver has hired Korn Ferry to find a new CEO for Denver International Airport after Phil Washington’s retirement, with an interim CEO already in place and finalists expected to be interviewed later this year. Climate & Wildlife: A new look at Montana’s alpine pika highlights how warming and shrinking snowpack are reshaping high-elevation ecosystems. Community Infrastructure: Park County may back a $375,000 renovation push for the Park County Senior Center, including elevator, climate control, kitchen, and apartment upgrades. Energy & Construction: Fergus County is set to cut the ribbon on a new 20-kilowatt rooftop solar array at the Fairgrounds Pavilion, expected to offset about a third of the Pavilion’s power needs. Local Land Use & Water: Laurel’s forensic mental health center faces a fight over whether the state’s environmental review properly accounted for water and sewer connections, with eminent domain on the table. Wildfire Impacts: Sand Creek Fire growth slowed as rain helped protect Maverick Mountain’s ski area, giving operators a brief window to regroup. Agriculture & Markets: USDA’s latest crop progress report shows slight declines in corn and soybean conditions, while spring wheat rebounds. Business & Retail: Amazon Locker expands to 500+ college campuses, including Montana State University, adding more last-mile pickup options for students. Data Center Politics: A court paused Butte-Silver Bow’s ability to retroactively change a signature deadline in a data center ballot initiative fight.

Defense & Security: The U.S. Air Force is buying Chinese-made DJI drones for counter-drone training at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, using the widely available aircraft as realistic stand-ins to sharpen detection and electronic warfare around the Minuteman III missile complex. Housing & Tax Pressure: A new report argues Montana’s seasonal rental boom is worsening both housing shortages and rising property tax assessments, pointing to gaps in enforcement and reporting that let short-term operators scale quickly. Insurance & Consumer Protection: A Montana class action alleges State Farm systematically refuses to pay for pre- and post-repair scans when repairs are done at independent collision shops, despite a state advisory memo. Agriculture & Food Supply: Ranchers face the smallest U.S. cattle herd in 75 years, with drought blamed for shrinking grasslands and forcing earlier sales—raising concerns for beef supply and prices. Mining & Exploration: American Pacific Mining says it has completed 2,048 meters of its Phase I drill program at the Madison Copper-Gold Project near Silver Star, with assay results expected soon. Energy & Fuel Costs: Diesel prices in Montana remain volatile, with GasBuddy reporting the week ending Aug. 8 saw the lowest Lake County diesel at $4.94 and statewide diesel averaging $5.06. Public Schools Funding: Montana’s public schools budget commission wrapped up work, sending lawmakers recommendations aimed at simplifying the funding system and adjusting models for programs like special education and building renovations. Shipping & Logistics: Dry Box is promoting new shipping container modification options, including rollup doors, ventilation, security upgrades, and windows for converted storage or workspace uses.

PSC Lawsuit: Gov. Greg Gianforte’s lawyer argued in court that the state suspended Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar to protect workers from harassment and preserve safety and retention, while Molnar’s attorney said the suspension lacked fair due process. Energy & Biofuels: U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said year-round E15 would likely require compromises with small oil refiners, as lawmakers weigh farm-economy benefits against smog and land-use concerns. NorthWestern Merger Fight: A new lawsuit says the NorthWestern Energy merger shouldn’t be decided without Brad Molnar, echoing earlier claims tied to PSC leadership. Montana Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reported the week ending Aug. 8 saw some of the lowest regular prices in Big Horn County at $4.04, with Montana’s statewide average at $4.24. Manufacturing Spotlight: Gianforte toured Ex-Guard’s new Kalispell facility, highlighting growth in western Montana manufacturing. Agritourism: Montana Agritourism Conference is set for Nov. 5-6 in Lewistown.

Montana Manufacturing & Jobs: Gov. Greg Gianforte kept his 56 County Tour moving, spotlighting local production from GrainMaker Mills in Ravalli County to Cathey Cattle Company and G&G Livestock in Lake County, and then joining Ex-Guard’s Kalispell ribbon-cutting for expanded western grille-guard manufacturing. Energy & Power Planning: A draft Ninth Northwest Power Plan urges fast grid upgrades and new generation in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, citing data center growth and recommending about 11 gigawatts added over five years. Regulatory Fight at the PSC: Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar is challenging Gov. Gianforte’s one-year suspension in court, while a separate lawsuit seeks to pause consideration of a major NorthWestern Energy merger. Mining & Exploration: America Pacific Mining reported progress on a 15,000-metre drill program at its Madison Copper-Gold Project near Silver Star, with more results expected in coming weeks. Agriculture & Rural Industry: Montana hemp processors praised a U.S. Senate delay of a proposed hemp ban, while MSU’s new Wool Lab aims to boost efficiency and profitability for Montana’s sheep ranchers. Environment & Land Use: A coalition is pushing for an independent review of Glencore’s proposed Fording River coal mine expansion in B.C., warning of long-running selenium impacts that reach Montana and Idaho. Wildlife Policy: A separate push would make it easier for states to authorize grizzly bear killings, with public comment set to close soon.

Grizzly Policy Fight: A new Trump administration proposal would make it easier for states to authorize killing Lower 48 grizzlies, with public comments due Monday and protections under the Endangered Species Act at stake for Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Energy Planning: The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s draft Ninth Power Plan urges adding 11 gigawatts of new generation in five years for Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, citing surging data center demand. Utility Merger & Due Process: Montana PSC Commissioner Brad Molnar is asking a judge to block his one-year suspension as he challenges Gov. Greg Gianforte’s action; the fight also overlaps with a lawsuit seeking to pause a NorthWestern Energy merger. Manufacturing & Agriculture Tour: Gov. Gianforte’s 56 County Tour highlighted Montana producers and manufacturers, including GrainMaker Mills and Cathey Cattle Company, plus an Ex-Guard ribbon-cutting in Kalispell. Mining Update: American Pacific Mining reported progress on a 15,000-metre drill program at its Madison Copper-Gold Project near Silver Star, with more results expected soon. Veterans Services: A new Lewistown VA clinic nearly doubles space, expanding care for about 770 regular users. Hemp Industry: Montana hemp processors praised a Senate delay of a ban on certain floral hemp products. Local Governance: A Yellowstone County court upheld invalidation of a data center ballot initiative requiring a two-thirds vote.

Mining & Energy: American Pacific Mining reports progress on a 15,000-metre Phase I drill program at its Madison copper-gold project near Silver Star, with 2,048 metres completed so far and assay results expected in coming weeks. Utilities & Courts: Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar is asking a judge to block his one-year suspension while he challenges Gov. Greg Gianforte’s action; a separate lawsuit seeks to pause consideration of a major NorthWestern Energy merger. Agriculture & Regulation: Big Sky Scientific’s CEO says a U.S. Senate delay of a hemp THC ban is a “huge win” for Montana hemp processors and farmers, buying time for a longer-term fix. Veterans Services: A new VA clinic in Lewistown nearly doubles space, expanding care capacity for about 770 active users. Local Industry & Growth: Ex-Guard held a Kalispell ribbon-cutting for a new manufacturing and logistics facility, citing access to West Coast and Canadian markets. Water Infrastructure: Congressman Troy Downing met with the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority in Sidney on H.R. 8745, a plan to build a rural water system across eastern Montana counties. Environment & Health: DEQ finished stabilizing Libby Creek embankment damage from last December’s floods, aiming for partial FEMA reimbursement. Business & Community: A nonprofit behind a Butte-Silver Bow data center ballot initiative sued the county after election deadlines were changed.

Regulatory Showdown: Montana PSC Commissioner Brad Molnar asked a judge to block his one-year suspension, arguing he didn’t get due process before Gov. Greg Gianforte acted over workplace-conduct claims. Water & PFAS: Helena schools say PFAS “forever chemicals” testing won’t delay the school start, even as another elementary school reports detections and officials await results on whether the source is the wells. Rural Infrastructure: Congressman Troy Downing met with the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority on H.R. 8745, a federal push to build a rural water system for eastern Montana communities. Mining & Land Use: DEQ is taking public comment on a draft environmental assessment for WRH Nevada’s Crossover Project exploration near Lake Mary Ronan. Energy & Grid Reliability: DEQ wrapped up stabilization work along Libby Creek after December flood damage, aiming for partial FEMA reimbursement. Local Business & Growth: Ex-Guard held a Kalispell ribbon-cutting for a new manufacturing and logistics facility tied to wildlife-collision grille guards. Data Center Politics: A Butte-Silver Bow initiative group sued the county after a signature deadline was changed, challenging ballot access for a data-center vote. Agriculture: National FFA hit a new record with 1,053,847 members for 2025-26. Fuel Watch: Gas prices eased in several Montana counties, with Missoula County’s lowest reported regular hitting $3.93 for the week ending Aug. 8.

Energy Infrastructure: The Pacific Northwest draft Ninth Power Plan calls for adding 11,000+ megawatts of new grid capacity by 2032, plus 5,000 MW of storage and 1,000 average-megawatts of efficiency, with public comment open until Oct. 16. Agriculture & Fuel Policy: South Dakota leaders say year-round E15 remains a key Farm Bill fight, with permitting and Senate hurdles still in play. Mining & Jobs: At Stillwater Mine, union members held a town hall as contract talks continue after two proposals were rejected by large margins. Environmental & Land Use: The Trump administration and Western governors propose loosening grizzly protections under the Endangered Species Act, with public comments due Aug. 17. Local Business & Tourism: Montana Agritourism Conference is set for Nov. 5-6 in Lewistown, and Two Boot Saloon in Milton will change hands as owner Bev Bronson retires. Construction & Recreation: Park Lake restoration in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is moving forward with a $3.7M new dam project. Community & Culture: A new Elmo skatepark opened Aug. 8, funded through Montana Pool Service and built with CSKT support. Agriculture Disaster Relief: FEMA designated 28 Montana counties for winter storm disaster assistance, unlocking USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loans for producers. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports Montana regular gas averaging $4.24 for the week ending Aug. 8, with some counties seeing lower single-station prices.

Rural Disaster Relief: FEMA designated 28 Montana counties as natural disaster areas after the Dec. 17-18, 2025 winter storms and straight-line winds, unlocking USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loans for ranchers and producers; the application deadline is Dec. 7, 2026. Energy Resilience: Montana DEQ awarded $10.34M for 10 grid resilience projects to cut outage frequency and speed restoration, including a $3M transmission rebuild on the Fort Peck Reservation. Data Centers & Local Control: Montana’s “Right to Compute” law is now shaping how counties respond to AI data center proposals, while the Fort Peck Tribes voted to ban future discussions with data center developers. Mining Watch: Montana Tunnels Mining’s bankruptcy case may be nearing a sale, with a court filing outlining potential escrow funding and a possible mine sale hearing in early September. Agritourism & Ag Skills: Montana Agritourism Conference is set for Nov. 5-6 in Lewistown, aiming to help producers grow tourism businesses. Food & Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños has triggered recalls across multiple retailers, and Montana’s own stream testing has flagged E. coli concerns in some waterways. Business & Jobs: Gov. Gianforte’s 56-county tour highlighted western Montana timber and manufacturing employers, including Meadowlark Log Homes and Thompson River Lumber. Transportation Competition: Six state AGs, including Montana’s, oppose the proposed UP-Norfolk Southern merger, warning it could reduce shipping competition and raise costs. Local Economy at the Pump: Circle K’s Inner Circle rewards promotion offers up to 40 cents off per gallon for one day.

Credit Union Fraud Tech: Tristate Collaborative (covering Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska and Wisconsin) added Rippleshot’s Fraud Interceptor to help credit unions catch fraud earlier, aiming to reduce losses before members are hit. Local Government & Data Centers: In Butte-Silver Bow, data-center opponents and ballot petitioners are in court after a judge issued a restraining order over a dispute on when petition signatures had to be submitted and verified. Climate Litigation: A federal appeals court again refused to revive a youth climate challenge to Trump fossil-fuel and climate policies, leaving the U.S. Supreme Court as the last option. Food Safety: Whole Foods expanded a salmonella recall tied to jalapeño products, with multiple prepared foods pulled across a dozen states. Public Health & Heat: Missoula released its first heat map, using countywide sensor data to identify hotter “hotspot” areas as the region warms. Montana Heritage Tech: The Montana Heritage Center in Helena is rolling out an immersive, LED-and-audiovisual experience to tell the state’s history. Agriculture Risk: Montana ranchers are warning that higher cattle values could increase livestock theft, as the state tracks hundreds of missing head. Workforce & Education: University of Mary expanded its tuition-free academy model with 65 new scholarships for fields including nursing, education, engineering and business. Tribal Business Development: Kwataqnuk Resort & Casino in Polson began a major renovation to make the property more family-friendly, with new amenities planned for completion this December.

Livestock & Security: Montana ranchers are warning that higher cattle values could mean more livestock theft, after the Montana Department of Livestock logged 200+ missing head reports and officials said thieves often steal animals and sell them quickly. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy data show diesel prices easing in Montana, with Missoula County’s lowest reported diesel at $4.59 for the week ending Aug. 1, while statewide diesel averaged $5.04. Local Tech & Governance: A new Montana law is limiting how local officials can regulate AI data centers, and residents are pushing back against a proposed Broadview facility by citing the “Right to Compute” framework. Mining & Jobs: The Crow Revenue Act cleared the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, aiming to boost Crow Tribe revenue and support the Bull Mountains Mine while improving access to public lands. Courts & Public Lands: American Prairie’s bison grazing fight is headed to federal court after BLM revoked permits covering 60,000 acres; the group says compliance could require culling at least 300 bison. Agriculture & Biosecurity: An invasive Eastern Heath Snail is spreading across north-central Montana, and officials say there’s no reliable way to eliminate it once established. Consumer & Business Fraud: 3 Rivers Communications warned of fake remote job listings on ZipRecruiter that trick applicants into handing over personal information. Local Economy: A self-serve grocery, Pishkun Provisions, opened in Choteau, offering locally grown foods with no employees and self-checkout. Water & Infrastructure: Oahe Reservoir levels remain low, with the lake reported at 1,595.7 feet as of Monday.

Grizzlies & Federal Oversight: The U.S. Department of the Interior is proposing to shift grizzly bear management to states under Endangered Species Act rules, a move Montana and other states are backing while critics warn it could weaken protections. Energy Markets: A Montana power company, BHE Montana, is set to join California’s new Western electricity market, aiming for more access to lower-cost resources. Appliance Rule Reversal: A federal appeals court struck down Biden-era federal efficiency standards for gas and electric stoves and ovens, siding with Montana and other states over improper rulemaking. Road Construction Disruption: Montana’s U.S. 93 west of Whitefish reconstruction is running into delays as crews hit groundwater that turns excavations to muck, with about 20-minute waits expected. Water & PFAS Watch: Helena schools report “forever chemicals” (PFAS) detected at a faucet at Rossiter Elementary after earlier preliminary positives at another school, with confirmation testing pending. Agriculture Innovation: A Havre-area, farmer-led company is testing a new approach to crop nutrition to help producers lower fertilizer costs. Data Centers & Local Tensions: Opponents say volunteers were harassed while gathering signatures at MontanaFair, while officials defended law enforcement conduct. Heat & Wildlife Impacts: Record heat is driving lethal river temperatures, prompting fishing restrictions in parts of the West, including Montana’s Yellowstone River area. Mining & Shipping: Almonty reported strong Q2 gains tied to tungsten prices, while Dynacom expanded its tanker orders at Hengli.

PFAS Watch in Schools: Helena Public Schools says “forever chemicals” were preliminarily detected at a faucet at Rossiter Elementary, following similar initial results at Jim Darcy Elementary, with DEQ confirmation testing still needed. Courtroom Energy Update: The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tossed Biden-era efficiency standards for gas and electric stoves/ovens, saying the Department of Energy skipped required public process; Montana is among the states that sued. Public Health—Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños has expanded to 27 states, including Montana, with recalls reaching major retailers like Walmart and Whole Foods. Water & Wildlife: Record heat is driving lethal river temperatures, prompting fishing restrictions in parts of the West, including the Yellowstone area near Livingston. Mental Health Access: NOCD says it will expand its virtual intensive outpatient OCD program nationwide; it’s already available in Montana and other states. Local Justice Push: Former Billings mayor Bill Cole and allies are urging voters to approve a Yellowstone County jail expansion bond and operating levy amid long-standing overcrowding. Energy Infrastructure: Montana’s DEQ withdrew a waiver tied to the Bridger Pipeline Expansion permitting path, a potential setback for the project’s timeline. Agriculture Innovation: MSU launched a new Wool Lab aimed at reviving Montana’s wool industry and helping ranchers improve profitability.