AGP Executive Report

Water & Drought Monitoring: Montana is expanding its Mesonet network with more soil and weather stations to track drought and improve how officials understand water moving from snow and rain into the ground. Public Health Lab Oversight: Sen. Steve Daines’ office is pushing back on scrutiny of Hamilton’s Rocky Mountain Labs, while critics want an inspector general investigation into lab practices. Energy & Grid Planning: Montana and the wider West keep focusing on transmission upgrades and “next generation” electricity planning as leaders coordinate major grid investment. Cybersecurity & AI Fraud: A new scam trend is using AI-generated domains to help phishing and malware campaigns succeed. Food Waste & Labels: A Montana food bank says most donated food is still good past label dates, as California moves to simplify “sell by” into “quality” and “safety” dates. Critical Minerals: Reporting highlights the U.S. scramble for tungsten as China dominates supply and export controls tighten. Local Tech/Community: Billings is tied up in a NorthWestern data center rate case, with a council member seeking changes. Wildlife Impacts: A Gallatin Gateway elk study spotlights growing conflicts between elk herds and ranchers’ hayfields. Northern Lights Forecast: NOAA says minor geomagnetic storms could boost aurora visibility across parts of northern Montana and nearby states. PFAS Regulation: The FDA is moving toward limits for PFAS in bottled water, aligning with EPA’s drinking-water standards. Housing Market Snapshot: A new housing affordability look finds Montana homes taking the longest to sell in 2026.

Community Grants: AARP Montana is awarding nearly $180,000 in Community Challenge grants to 14 Montana communities and organizations, funding trail and park upgrades, downtown accessibility, public art, aging-in-place housing design concepts, and telehealth training for older adults. Public Safety Tech: Gallatin County will test its Community Notification System for opt-in users in Northern Gallatin County on July 31, sending SMS, app, and email alerts so residents can confirm contact info. Cybersecurity: Researchers warn of “phantom squatting,” where LLMs hallucinate fake brand domains that attackers can pre-register for phishing and malware. Higher Ed Leadership: UM officially welcomed Dr. Jeremiah Shinn as its 20th president, starting July 1. Energy Grid: Western governors endorsed a multi-state task force (WestTEC) to update transmission lines and reduce bottlenecks across the region. Health Policy: Montana begins Medicaid work requirements July 1, with a short grace period and concerns about coverage gaps for rural enrollees. Space Weather: NOAA forecasts minor geomagnetic storms that could boost northern lights visibility across parts of northern Montana and nearby states. Local Environment & Water: Coverage also flags health risks tied to the proposed Bridger Pipeline and ongoing concerns around river impacts.

Montana Tech STEM expansion: Montana Tech’s new chancellor, Johnny MacLean, is rolling out fresh energy, broadband, and behavioral health training, including a Ph.D. in Energy Engineering and Science and a Broadband Technology certificate—aimed at rural workforce needs. NIH health research in Montana: A UM public health researcher won an NIH Rising Star award for work tied to wildfire impacts and cardiovascular health, supported through UM’s NIH IDeA program. Rural energy planning: Montana counties gathered in Miles City for a Building Energy Economies summit, focusing on how local governments can respond to energy and computing-related development proposals. Aviation infrastructure update: MDT and LHC finished a US 2 project near Glacier Park International Airport, rehabilitating about four miles with pavement work, ADA upgrades, and intersection electrical improvements. Cybersecurity warning: New research describes “phantom squatting,” where AI-generated fake domains get registered first and used for phishing and malware. Wildlife & climate science: Scientists reported the southernmost Purgatorius fossils ever found, helping explain how early primate relatives spread after the dinosaur extinction. Mining tech: Red Mountain Mining confirmed surface tungsten skarn mineralization at its Pioneer project in Montana, with several high WO3 rock chip results. Public tech & privacy: Connecticut’s new rules classify brainwave “neural data” as highly protected, requiring opt-in consent for consumer neurotechnology starting July 1.

Montana Tech & STEM: A U.S. Critical Materials Corp. milestone in Darby, Montana, moves its headquarters and names new leadership as it pushes the Sheep Creek rare-earth project forward with exploration and research. AI Education: NSF-backed teams advanced in the Presidential AI Challenge, with a second-grade-led project winning national recognition—another sign that hands-on AI learning is taking root in classrooms. Rural Tech & Community: Hometap expands home equity investment to Montana (plus four other states), pitching flexible access to equity as homeowners seek alternatives to traditional loans. Energy & Local Planning: Eastern Montana counties share lessons from wind development as energy projects—and possible data centers and nuclear—grow across the region. Agriculture Research: MSU Eastern’s Irrigated Field Day (July 15 in Sidney) spotlights pulse disease updates, herbicide resistance, nitrogen management, and new crop varieties. Health Care Access: Logan Health adds general surgery services in Shelby with Dr. Lance L. Ercanbrack, aiming to bring more procedures and endoscopy closer to the Hi-Line. Wildfire Policy Watch: Colorado firefighter deaths renew scrutiny of a revived “full suppression” approach and a newly created federal fire service. Local Culture: Miles City’s inaugural Downtown Art Festival runs July 2–3, with public art, music, and family activities.

Land Governance & Conservation: A new study on Eastern Europe’s Hârtibaciu Plateau links shifting markets and CAP incentives to land grabbing that squeezes small farmers while “green grabbing” complicates conservation goals. U.S. Flag Polarization: An AP-NORC poll finds Americans’ views of flying the flag split sharply by politics, age, race, and whether people see it as unifying or divisive. Immigration Policy (Spain): Spain’s legalization program for undocumented immigrants drew more than 900,000 applications by mid-June, far above initial estimates, as the application window nears closure. Montana Data Centers: Missoula County is weighing interim zoning to pause new data centers after concerns about energy use and impacts beyond crypto-focused rules. Forensics Leadership: Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen appointed Kimberly Kutch to lead the state crime lab’s Forensic Science Division. Northern Lights Forecast: A minor G1 geomagnetic storm could make auroras visible in parts of the northern U.S., with Montana among the best bets. Wildfire Health: The 2026 wildfire season has already burned about double the usual acreage by mid-June, with smoke carrying health risks across many states. Electric Bills (Regional): NorthWestern Energy rate changes starting July 1 push typical Montana residential bills higher, while critics argue the utility undervalues cheaper wind and solar.

Northern Lights Watch: A minor G1 geomagnetic storm could make auroras visible in high-latitude states, with NOAA listing Montana among the best bets tonight. Local Tech & Energy Policy: Missoula County is weighing interim zoning to pause new data centers and crypto projects while it studies impacts and possible rules. AI Privacy Alarm: XGIMI’s MemoMind One smart glasses are drawing scrutiny over whether they can record people and how audio is handled once it leaves the device. Forensics Leadership: Montana AG Austin Knudsen appointed Kimberly Kutch as administrator of the state Forensic Science Division. Public Safety Tech: Livingston Public Schools is headed to mediation with a former IT worker who alleges discrimination and retaliation tied to workplace systems access. Wildfire Health: The 2026 wildfire season is already burning far more acreage than average, with smoke carrying health risks across many states. Renewables Permitting Risk: A new analysis says federal permitting changes have stalled or canceled major renewable projects, with more at risk—Montana included.

AI & Local Land Use: A Montana mom is leading opposition to a proposed AI data center that developers say could cover about 3,800 football fields, raising alarms about farmland, wildlife, water resources, and rural character. Water Quality & Algae: Montana DEQ has determined the Big Hole River is impaired, citing nutrient-driven eutrophication, warm water, algae blooms, and low oxygen that are affecting aquatic life and recreation; the details will feed into the next federally reviewed water quality report. Invasive Species & Range Fires: A new look at Montana rangelands highlights how invasive annual grasses like cheatgrass and medusahead are reshaping plant communities and changing wildfire behavior by drying earlier and building continuous fine fuels. Wildlife Connectivity: A global roundup spotlights wildlife crossings reconnecting habitats, including major highway underpasses and overpasses designed to cut roadkill and help animals move safely. Public Health & Drug Monitoring: Louisiana officials say Shreveport-area wastewater testing found some of the world’s highest methamphetamine levels, using drug checks to gauge community drug use.

Big Hole River Update: Montana DEQ has determined the Big Hole River is impaired, citing nutrient-driven algae blooms and low oxygen that are harming aquatic life and recreational fishing; the details will feed into the next federally required Water Quality Integrated Report, with EPA approval potentially triggering new pollutant limits and restoration actions. Rangeland Ecology: A new look at Montana’s invasive annual grasses highlights how cheatgrass, medusahead, ventenata and Japanese brome are displacing native perennials, drying out earlier, and changing wildfire risk across rangelands. Manufacturing Jobs: Janicki Industries selected Great Falls for an $800M manufacturing facility, projecting 1,000 jobs in five years and 2,000 after construction, with salaries ranging from $65,000 to $120,000. STEM Research (Montana): Montana State University researchers published a Nature Cities study mapping how urban populations differ in age and structure, arguing that city planning needs more than headcounts. Health & Policy: Montana lawmakers are weighing a bill to create experimental treatment centers under an expanded “Right to Try” framework, setting up a debate over safeguards and licensing.

Montana State University Research: A first-of-its-kind MSU study in Nature Cities maps how urban populations differ city by city, showing why “same population size” can still mean very different ages, needs, and risks. Climate & Food Security: A new look at rising CO2 warns that higher yields may come with “nutrient dilution,” meaning more calories but less protein and key minerals like zinc and iron. Local Industry & Jobs: Janicki Industries is picking Great Falls for an $800M manufacturing facility, aiming to create 1,000 jobs in five years and 2,000 after construction. Livestock Biosecurity: Montana’s Dept. of Livestock and MSU Extension issued guidance after New World screwworm was detected in Texas, including import rules and veterinary documentation for animals entering Montana. Public Health Policy: Montana lawmakers are debating “Right to Try 2.0” style experimental treatment centers, with Senate Bill 535 facing renewed scrutiny after a rocky House path. Northern Lights Forecast: NOAA is calling for mild auroral activity Saturday night, with northern Montana among the best bets. STEM in the Community: MSU mechanical engineering student Kollen Pipinich earned recognition for hundreds of hours mentoring local high school students.

Medical Policy: Montana lawmakers are debating a bill that would let experimental treatment centers operate under a “Right to Try 2.0” style framework, but House votes have been tight and skeptical. Public Health & Fraud: States are stepping up Medicaid fraud enforcement, with lawmakers and advocates pointing to big-dollar waste and criminal cases as pressure mounts. Wildlife Governance: The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission is facing a lawsuit over whether it followed open-meeting rules while changing black bear hunting quotas. Space Science: NASA’s Lucy mission reports new clues from a wobbling, peanut-shaped asteroid, including signs that ancient water briefly existed. Mining & Energy: BIOBY is planning a bigger 2026 Mining and Energy Expo, aiming to draw more attendees and highlight projects that are already permitted or in construction. Northern Lights Forecast: NOAA says mild auroral activity could be visible across northern Montana Saturday night. Local Fire Safety Funding: Town Pump’s charitable foundation is offering $750,000 in grants for volunteer fire departments statewide. Tech & Connectivity: A broadband speed study flags Idaho as slow and places Montana among the bottom states for internet performance.

Agriculture Leadership: Glendive native Alexis Canen joined Montana ag and natural-resource leaders on a 10-day Morocco study tour through REAL Montana, a program run with Montana State University Extension to build a statewide network of informed industry leaders. Wildlife & Policy: Montana officials say golden eagles are increasingly targeted in a black market for sacred feathers, with a recent conviction tied to thousands of birds and a growing crackdown plus a legal distribution program still facing a backlog. Firefighting Governance: The Trump administration is proposing to merge wildland firefighting into a single Federal Wildland Fire Service, a plan critics warn could disrupt staffing and raise the risk of catastrophic fires. Public Safety Tech: Dispatchers say iPhone crash-detection alerts can trigger major mobilizations even when they’re false, highlighting the challenge of automated emergency notifications. Jobs & Manufacturing: Janicki Industries picked Great Falls for an $800M aerospace/defense/space manufacturing campus, and German firm VACOM announced a Lewistown manufacturing center with hundreds of jobs. Research in Montana: MSU scientists published new Nature Communications work on how ancient Yellowstone microorganisms adapted from low-oxygen geothermal environments, offering clues to early life evolution. Community Grants: Town Pump Charitable Foundation is awarding $750,000 in grants to Montana volunteer fire departments for training, equipment, and tools.

Data Centers & Water Use Debate: A new opinion argues Montana and the Mountain West shouldn’t treat data centers as uniquely water-hungry, saying concerns are often framed with hyperbole and calling for transparency and region-specific guardrails. Water Quality in Focus: Montana DEQ has determined the Big Hole River is impaired, citing warm water, algae blooms, and low oxygen tied to nutrient pollution, with next steps likely involving public comment and possible EPA approval for restoration funding. Public Lands Safety: In Idaho, the Mansfield family is renewing efforts to ban M-44 “cyanide bombs” on public lands after a past incident killed their dog and exposed their son to sodium cyanide. Wildlife Policy: The U.S. House voted to strip gray wolves in the lower 48 of Endangered Species Act protections, a move that would also limit court challenges. Tech & Travel Pressure: Fourth of July travel demand is spiking, and Montana is among states seeing the biggest jump in arriving flights, raising reliability concerns for summer air travel.

Wildlife & Water Policy: The Trump administration moved to weaken federal protections for endangered whooping crane habitat, with only about 500 wild migratory birds left. Public Lands Governance: An Oregon lawsuit could upend how federal agencies manage public lands, potentially triggering broader legal uncertainty across mining, grazing, logging, and recreation. Montana River Health: Montana DEQ is moving toward an impairment designation for the Big Hole River, citing algae driven by excess nutrients and low dissolved oxygen, with a possible final decision not expected until 2027. STEM & Research Leadership: The University of Montana named Dr. Paul Lukacs interim vice president for research and creative scholarship, overseeing an R1 enterprise with nearly $150M in science spending. Wildfire Tech: Neptune Aviation Services took delivery of its first Airbus A319 to convert into a next-generation wildfire airtanker, targeting operational use in 2028. Agriculture Innovation: Billings-area farmers are testing InteliGel hydrogel, a palm-sized soil additive aimed at cutting irrigation water use and costs. Quantum Race: Quantum firms are repositioning as the U.S. and China escalate competition, with new federal push for domestic quantum supply chains. Energy Costs: A new report highlights how rising energy bills are pushing more households into “energy insecurity,” including disconnections. Recreation Fees: Montana FWP is seeking public input on updated fee rules for parks, fishing access sites, and other managed lands and waters.

Water Quality Watch: Montana DEQ is moving toward an impairment designation for the Big Hole River, citing nutrient-driven algae growth that can strip dissolved oxygen and harm fish—though a final call may not come until 2027. Public Lands & Recreation: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking feedback on updated fee proposals for state parks, fishing access sites, and other managed lands, aiming to simplify rules and reflect higher costs. Research Leadership: The University of Montana named Dr. Paul Lukacs interim vice president for research and creative scholarship, overseeing an R1 research enterprise with nearly $150M in science spending. Energy Costs & Grid Pressure: A new “data center debate” in Montana echoes broader concerns about power demand and affordability as Hyperscale Data pursues additional megawatts at a Montana site. Climate Court Fight: A judge blocked efforts to move Montana’s youth climate lawsuit to a distant venue, keeping the case near where the challenged laws were written. Wildfire Forecasting: Scientists are using soil moisture monitoring to better predict where wildfires may start and how severe they could get, with work underway across the Rocky Mountain region including western Montana.

Glacier National Park: NASA-linked reporting warns Glacier could be glacier-free by 2030, making this summer a last-chance moment for Montana’s iconic ice-and-mountain landscapes. AI & policy: A New York primary battle shows how AI companies can spend tens of millions to fight AI safety rules—an early warning for Congress as similar laws move forward. Energy & data centers: Hyperscale Data’s Montana subsidiary received a “will serve” determination for about 125 more megawatts at a Montana site, signaling continued growth in power-hungry AI and computing infrastructure. Water & environment: Montana DEQ is moving toward an impairment designation for the Big Hole River tied to nutrient-driven algae problems, with impacts on fish, recreation, and aquatic life. Native plants & restoration: DNRC is growing more than a million native plants in Missoula to support habitat restoration, erosion control, and pollinator needs statewide. Agriculture & ranching: The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation awarded quarterly grants, including support for MSU Extension’s Ranchers Roundtable. Public health & care: Billings Clinic earned the Magnet nursing designation for a fifth time, highlighting ongoing nursing excellence and patient-outcome tracking. Community tech & land: Missoula is weighing AI-capable security camera purchases amid privacy concerns, while Polson is advancing a brownfields assessment program to unlock redevelopment of contaminated or perceived-contaminated properties. Firefighting support: Town Pump Charitable Foundation is offering $750,000 in grants for volunteer fire departments statewide.

Aging & Community Planning: Missoula Aging Services is opening its 2026 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA) for Montana residents 55+ through July 10, asking about housing, transportation, accessibility, health, and community services to guide Area Agencies on Aging statewide. Wildfire Aviation: Missoula-based Neptune Aviation took delivery of its first Airbus A319 for an 18-month conversion into a next-generation aerial firefighting airtanker, targeting the 2028 wildfire season with a larger retardant payload than its current BAe 146 fleet. Montana Tech in Museums: Electrosonic and RLMG built an immersive, movement-responsive experience for the Montana Heritage Center, winning a 2026 Museum Impact Award. Healthcare Transparency: A new report says hundreds of hospitals, including several in the Mountain West, still missed federal price-posting requirements—keeping costs opaque. Neural Data Privacy: Vermont’s new law classifies “neural data” as sensitive, tightening consent and use rules for neurotech companies. Climate Outlook: Climatologists warn the Northwest could see a very strong El Niño with a wetter fall and higher winter snowpack.