AGP Executive Report

Pandemic Watch: A modeling group says the 13th COVID-19 wave is cresting nationally, but transmission is still spreading across at least 40 states and territories; Montana is flagged among the higher active-infection rates. AI & Data Centers: Montana’s “Right to Compute Act” is limiting local control over data center regulation, even as residents push back over water and energy impacts. Public Records & Accountability: The Montana Freedom of Information Coalition honored Missoula journalist Anna Rau and Bozeman attorney Kyle Nelson for major transparency wins. Education Outcomes: New federal figures show Missoula County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate at 49.2% and Silver Bow County at 58.2% for the 2018 entering cohort. Immigration Courts: A class-action immigration case led to wrongful, warrantless arrests being challenged, with dozens of detainees released after court orders. Montana Research & STEM: UM doctoral student Jaymes Mozingo is studying how stress shapes cellular adaptation using ancient DNA. Local Science Events: MSU will host a Dyslexia and Innovation Symposium on Oct. 22, and UM Western will welcome U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service experts on Sept. 30.

Rare-disease advocacy: The Myositis Association will honor Father Stuart Long at MyoCon 2026 with its Heroes in the Fight awards, spotlighting inclusion body myositis awareness, research, and care. Wildlife health: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a mule deer information session in Malta (Sept. 30), with a major focus on chronic wasting disease status and hunter monitoring. Mining & metals: Silver Bow Mining reported a new drill intercept at its Rainbow Block Project in Butte—0.82 meters grading 8.20% CuEq in massive sulfide mineralization. AI + power demand: A new discussion on the next generation of AI data centers asks what happens if future facilities are built where primary energy already exists, tying the idea to natural hydrogen development. Yellowstone risk modeling: A blow-by-blow “what if” scenario lays out how a Yellowstone super-eruption could unfold, from early warning signs to cascading impacts. Montana tech policy: A federal judge limited enforcement of Montana’s AI deepfakes law in campaign ads, adding another twist to election tech regulation. Earth science: A magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck near Black Eagle, with brief power disruption in Great Falls and no sign of escalating activity. Dinosaur science: UCLA researchers estimate T. rex body temperature from tooth chemistry, finding a human-like ~97°F.

AI Infrastructure & Data Centers: A new wave of AI “inference” is driving demand for hybrid cloud and end-user devices, with Datatec pitching global exposure via the JSE. Montana Tech & Policy: Montana’s anti–data center sentiment shows up in a poll where nearly 75% of registered voters oppose new data centers, while other coverage highlights how data centers can strain local energy and water. Federal Research Cuts: The U.S. Forest Service plans to close 23 research stations in an overhaul, with Montana-area impacts tied to shifting wildfire and land-management priorities. Nuclear Modernization: The Sentinel ICBM program is laying groundwork for new silos and support infrastructure, with Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana listed for deployment. Health & Accountability: White Coat Waste sues NIH for records tied to animal experiments and alleged “virus smuggling” at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton. Wildlife & Climate Science: UCLA researchers report a direct estimate that T. rex ran “warm-blooded” at about 97°F, adding to how scientists read ancient metabolism. Local Montana Safety: A 3.6 quake near Black Eagle was widely felt, and Montana law enforcement ran a hands-on detective boot camp focused on collecting and documenting evidence.

AI Policy: California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a panel to draft AI safety rules, including possible emergency “kill switch” options. Montana Elections & Tech: A Montana ballot initiative to restrict corporate election spending runs into First Amendment limits, while Montana courts also weigh in on AI deepfake election rules. Dinosaur Science: UCLA researchers used chemistry from T. rex tooth fossils to estimate a human-like body temperature (~97°F), strengthening the case that T. rex ran warm. Energy Storage: A solid-state battery road test reports 375 watt-hours per kilogram—about 40% higher than today’s lithium-ion EV packs. Local Public Safety: Montana law enforcement held a detective boot camp focused on collecting and documenting evidence. Earth & Environment: A magnitude 3.6 quake hit near Black Eagle; Yellowstone crews also reported record hydrothermal-area trash removal, including hundreds of hats. Rural STEM & Agriculture: MSU’s Steer-A-Year program returns for hands-on animal science training, and invasive heath snails are spreading in Montana cropland. Data Centers: A new wave of public backlash continues as Americans broadly oppose local data centers.

Energy & Industry: A road test claims solid-state EV cells hit 375 watt-hours per kilogram—about 40% higher than today’s lithium-ion packs—boosting the case for longer range with smaller, lighter batteries. AI & Local Impact: A Montana-focused debate over data centers is heating up after a poll found 71% of Americans oppose new facilities nearby, with critics warning about energy and water strain and community disruption. Montana Tech & Policy: Montana’s anti-deepfakes law faces First Amendment pushback, as judges limit how election-related AI deception rules can be enforced. Wildlife & Public Lands: Yellowstone’s geology crews report a record haul from hydrothermal areas—over 20,100 pieces of trash and 280 hats so far in 2026—highlighting the pressure of heavy visitation on fragile sites. Earth & Safety: A magnitude 3.6 quake near Black Eagle was widely felt; officials say there’s no sign activity is escalating. STEM Access: A national survey finds after-school STEM offerings are expanding, but rural access gaps remain a concern. Education & Housing: Big Sky is adding teacher housing as rent pressures make recruiting and retaining staff harder. Science Spotlight: New tooth testing suggests T. rex ran hot, with an average body temperature around 36.3°C.

Yellowstone Cleanup: Yellowstone National Park crews report a record haul from fragile hydrothermal areas—over 20,100 pieces of paper and plastic, 5,600 rocks and sticks, and 280+ hats removed so far in 2026, up about 50% from last year as visitation stays extremely high. Wildlife Policy Clash: Montana’s Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a wolf-kill quota of 300 (above the 250 recommended by FWP), despite overwhelming public opposition and disputes over the state’s wolf-population model. AI & Elections: A federal judge blocked Montana’s election deepfake law from being enforced, ruling it likely violates the First Amendment in a case tied to AI-altered political mailers. STEM Access: A new survey finds after-school programs increasingly offer STEM learning, but rural access gaps still shape who gets those opportunities. Dinosaur Science: New chemical testing of T. rex teeth suggests the predator ran warm, with an estimated body temperature around 36.3°C. Montana Education/Health Tech: UM’s Missoula College says it lost $673,745 to a federal “ghost student” enrollment fraud scheme, later repaid, as schools face growing AI-driven identity scams.

AI & Elections: A federal judge blocked Montana’s AI deepfake election law, ruling it likely violates the First Amendment—another setback for states trying to police synthetic political ads. Data Centers & Local Control: In Broadview, Yellowstone County’s first phase of a major data center project is underway despite public opposition, with officials warning interim zoning could trigger lawsuits. Public Health & Policy: Montana State University announced fall influenza vaccine clinics for students, while a CDC measles tracker update shows cases rising nationwide, including in Montana. Biotech & Access to Drugs: Montana’s “right-to-try” style experimental-treatment centers are drawing scrutiny as the state expands access to therapies after Phase 1. Science Spotlight (Montana-linked): New research using T. rex tooth chemistry suggests the dinosaur ran warm, and a Montana fossil find reports bird feathers preserved in dinosaur dung. Education & Workforce: A survey finds after-school STEM is more common, but rural access gaps remain; Big Sky also opened new teacher housing to ease recruitment pressure. Fraud & Higher Ed: A UM Missoula College financial-aid “ghost student” scheme drained $673,745, with the university later returning funds.

Wildlife Research: Montana State University researchers helped document a new record for African wild dogs in Zambia—nearly 2,500 miles traveled by collared siblings over nine months—highlighting how critical connected habitat corridors are for endangered species. Public Health & Policy: Montana’s “right-to-try” style experiment is expanding access: the state now lets licensed clinics offer experimental drugs, biologics, and devices after Phase 1 safety trials, with the first authorized treatment already in place. Environment & Water: The EPA awarded nearly $3 million in Wetland Program Development Grants across the Mountain West, including Montana, to strengthen wetland health, water quality, and flood protection programs. Tech & Privacy: A federal judge limited enforcement of Montana’s AI “deepfake” campaign-ad disclosure law, meaning more AI-altered political ads may appear without the required disclaimers. STEM & Workforce: Montana lawmakers heard alarming teacher pipeline numbers, with major declines in teacher preparation completions—especially in math, special education, and technology education. Local Science & Community: Missoula’s “Read with Dogs” program keeps growing, pairing kids with therapy dogs to support literacy and confidence. Earth & Climate: A recent earthquake cluster near Great Falls reminded Montanans that small quakes are common even where the last destructive event was decades ago.

AI & Elections: A federal judge in Helena limited Montana’s “deepfake” campaign-ad law, saying it likely violates free speech because it targets damaging synthetic political content—meaning more AI-generated ads may hit voters without the promised restrictions. Health Tech & Fraud: A new Legislative Audit Division report says a “ghost student” scheme drained $673,745 from UM’s Missoula College; UM repaid the money and is pursuing recovery. Biotech/Regulation: Montana became the first state to let licensed clinics sell experimental drugs and biologics that cleared only Phase 1 safety testing, raising big questions about what “safe” does and doesn’t mean. Local Research Spotlight: MSU will bring student research to Red Lodge Oct. 6, including work on water conservation, AI, and science communication. Wildfire Readiness: A CSKT wildfire-prep presentation highlighted how smoke, fast-moving grass fires, and ecosystem links can shape safer planning. Brain Health: MSU Extension’s Mobile Memory Café in Columbus shared practical, research-backed habits for brain health—movement, diet, sleep, stress management, and social connection.

AI & Industry in Montana: Montana State University won nearly $840,000 in federal funding to help small and mid-sized manufacturers adopt AI, robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing—part of NIST’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership push. AI Infrastructure & Energy Politics: A new Montana Free Press–Rutgers Eagleton poll finds nearly 75% of registered voters oppose new data centers, with the issue shaping election decisions and drawing scrutiny over power agreements. Wildlife Tech: Yellowstone researchers are using AI-aided bioacoustics to decode wolf calls, building a large vocalization database to better understand behavior. Conservation Connectivity: Valley County utilities are burying powerlines and fiber to improve sage grouse habitat while boosting rural connectivity near Fort Peck Lake. Dino Science (Montana-linked): A study using chemical signals from T. rex teeth reports a warm-blooded body temperature around human-like levels. Local Governance & Privacy: Montana lawmakers are weighing stronger privacy rules around license plate recognition cameras as public concern grows. Community & Health: Billings Public Schools reports rising K-8 reading and math scores, while achievement gaps remain. Local Business: The Daniels County Leader in Scobey closed after 104 years, ending a long-running rural news institution.

AI Infrastructure & Data Centers: A new Montana Free Press–Rutgers Eagleton poll finds nearly 75% of registered voters oppose new data centers, with many saying the issue will shape how they vote—while lawmakers and utilities grapple with power demand and costs. Privacy & Surveillance Tech: Montana lawmakers are weighing stronger privacy rules around license plate recognition cameras, as public concern grows after local installations spark backlash. Wildlife Research: FWP is hosting a mule deer and chronic wasting disease info meeting in Miles City Sept. 29, sharing recent survey findings and CWD status. Space & Defense: The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman complete vertical assembly progress on the LGM-35A Sentinel missile, targeting first test flights in 2027. Paleontology: UCLA researchers report a first direct estimate of T. rex body temperature from Montana tooth enamel—about 97°F—supporting a warm-blooded predator. Education & Workforce: MSU’s fall career fair is set for Sept. 30, and MSU will host a rural school funding lecture Sept. 28.

Montana AI Procurement: CETDIGIT qualified on both tracks of Montana’s statewide Master AI contract, with CETRAI offered to agencies via statements of work. Data Center Debate, Quantified: A county-by-county sentiment analysis finds opposition to data centers often doesn’t spill over to solar or battery storage, suggesting residents sort technologies differently. Food Safety & Public Health: Federal and state health agencies are investigating a multistate salmonella outbreak tied to recalled broccoli sprouts. Wildlife & Conservation: Alberta’s grizzly “problem wildlife” hunter program has sharply increased kills, raising questions about how recovery areas are managed. Paleontology Breakthrough: Four giant T. rex footprints in North Dakota may be the first adult trackway, offering rare clues about how the dinosaur walked. Local Tech in Action: A Montana rancher helped launch the nation’s first federally inspected nonprofit meat plant for food banks, turning donated cattle into fresh, inspected beef. Politics & Tech Oversight: A Montana Senate candidate’s ad targets Flock-style surveillance cameras, arguing for federal limits on the tech. Yellowstone Bison Update: Montana and the federal government dropped their Yellowstone bison plan lawsuit, letting a new review process proceed. STEM for Kids: New guidance highlights why recess—multiple 20-minute breaks—supports focus, learning, and social skills. Tungsten Supply Watch: China’s tightened tungsten export approvals and U.S. reliance on land and mining rights are driving fresh urgency for domestic supply.

Yellowstone Bison Legal Reset: Montana and the federal government agreed to drop the state’s lawsuit over Yellowstone’s 2024 bison management plan, with a judge dismissing the case without prejudice so concerns can be addressed through a new federal review. Sustainability on Campus: Montana State University’s Sustainability Summit (Sept. 22) will feature tours of its geothermal and plant growth systems, workshops on zero-waste, and a keynote by Auden Schendler. Wildfire Smoke’s Allergy After-Effects: A study discussed by Jim Blando, PhD links wildfire smoke exposure to longer-lasting allergy and asthma impacts, including reduced lung performance a year later. Tech for Conservation: The American Computer and Robotics Museum in Bozeman will host the Stibitz-Wilson Awards (Oct. 2), honoring innovators from climate-forest research to Yellowstone’s Wolf Project. Montana Biotech “Right-to-Try” Expansion: Montana’s rules are drawing biotech interest by letting people access certain unapproved therapies after Phase I—sparking debate over patient access versus oversight. Ancient Montana Clue to Bird Survival: Research on a feather preserved in dinosaur poop from Montana adds to the mystery of why some bird lineages survived the asteroid extinction.

Wildlife Research: Montana State University professor Scott Creel is co-leading new findings showing endangered African wild dogs can disperse over 4,000 km to find mates, with three brothers covering 4,126 km across Zambia and nearby countries—suggesting key populations are more connected than thought, though GPS-tracked dogs still die in illegal snares. Montana Health Policy: A KFF Health News report says Montana removed a cancer survivor from low-cost Medicaid disability coverage without seeking her doctors’ records, pushing her toward CHIP and raising fears that administrative decisions could cut off needed care. Biotech Regulation: Business Insider reports Montana’s “right-to-try” style law is drawing biotech investors, with the state relying on a privately run board to approve unapproved therapies—sparking patient-advocate concerns about conflicts of interest and whether treatments deliver real value. Autonomous Vehicles & Privacy: A Missoula tech company, CubCloud AI, has applied to bring Tesla Cybercabs to Montana, while opponents warn that AI-powered mobility and surveillance tools could intensify privacy risks. Space & Defense: The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman completed vertical integration of the first Sentinel ICBM ahead of 2027 flight tests, moving the program from subsystem work to complete missile integration. Paleontology: North Dakota researchers report the first adult T. rex trackway, with four connected footprints—an important new look at how the giant moved. Mining: Red Mountain Mining says rock-chip sampling at its Pioneer tungsten project returned “exceptional and consistent” grades, including a peak above 5,400 ppm WO3. STEM Education: MSU hosted a Livingston middle-school career day with hands-on stations spanning precision agriculture, plant science, equine research, and environmental studies.

Surveillance & Privacy Clash: Montana Senate candidate Seth Bodnar escalated the fight over Flock Safety cameras by blasting one with a shotgun in a campaign ad, spotlighting growing backlash over automated license plate readers and AI-driven monitoring. Local AI Mobility: CubCloud AI in Missoula says it has applied for Tesla Cybercab service, aiming to bring more fully self-driving rides to Montana cities. Cancer Care Tech Boost: Central Montana Medical Center received a $17,450 Cancer Colors Celebration check to help buy new radiology and MRI-related equipment, including a nuclear medicine camera and upgrades for prostate and breast MRIs. STEM in the Classroom: MSU hosted Livingston seventh-graders for a hands-on career day spanning equine science, precision agriculture (including drone piloting), plant sciences, and land/environment studies. Mining Update (Tungsten): Red Mountain Mining reported “exceptional and consistent” rock chip results at its Pioneer tungsten project, including assays topping 5,400 ppm WO3 and added copper/silver/gold signals. Space Biology & Food for Astronauts: NASA selected 12 new investigations to support human exploration, including studies on growing edible plants off-planet and how space conditions affect astronaut health. Paleontology Breakthrough: A newly published North Dakota trackway describes the first known continuous adult T. rex trackway, offering fresh clues about how the animal moved. Accessibility Tech in Montana: Big Sky Audiology donated an Auracast transmitter to Billings Studio Theatre so patrons can stream performances directly to compatible hearing aids. Conservation Milestone: Gallatin Wildlife Association marked 50 years of work protecting wildlife habitat and migration corridors in the Greater Yellowstone region.

AI & Higher Ed: Montana Tech named its first chief artificial intelligence officer to guide classroom use, privacy rules, and how instructors rethink assignments as AI reshapes learning and jobs. Critical Minerals: Dillon, Montana-based Almonty struck a Rwanda partnership to secure tungsten outside China, using existing ore and building toward local processing for a more traceable supply chain. Local Energy/Data Centers: DC BLOX appointed Tricia Pridemore to lead energy, regulatory and policy work as digital infrastructure expands and power deals become a bigger political fight. Wildlife Management: Montana FWP proposed an emergency catch-and-kill order for brown trout in the upper Flathead River as invasive detections trigger tighter fishing rules. Paleontology (Montana link): Scientists reported a fossil feather inside dinosaur poop from Montana, plus new adult T. rex trackway findings—both adding fresh clues to extinction-era survival. Tech & Politics: A libertarian tech investor plans major spending to back Republicans in state races, including Montana. Health Policy: Montana scientists and others worry about a federal campaign targeting virus research, while national coverage highlights rising measles deaths in Pennsylvania. Food/Ag Tech: Red Mountain Mining released more tungsten (and copper) assay results from its Pioneer project, keeping Montana’s critical-mineral story hot.