AGP Executive Report

Montana Football Spotlight: No. 3 Montana kept rolling in Missoula, crushing Northern Colorado 36-14 as QB Keali’i Ah Yat lit up the scoreboard with five TD passes in a 5-1 start. Bobcats Shocked: Montana State’s 19-game winning streak ended in Moscow, Idaho, with Idaho’s last-second Hail Mary and a 35-34 upset on ESPN. Local College Culture: UM launched “Griz Fridays,” a new weekly tradition urging fans statewide to wear maroon and silver every Friday. Pro Sports on the Radar: The Seahawks’ Week 4 matchup vs. the Chargers is streaming-only on ESPN Select, with CBS carrying the game in limited local markets. Montana Arts & Community: Bozeman’s Wildrye Distilling earned a USA Today nomination for a top craft whiskey award, with voting open until Oct. 12. Spooky Season in Billings: A roundup of Billings-area haunts and Halloween attractions is out for October. Sports Betting Debate: A Mormon church leader warned that online prediction markets and sports betting are fueling greed, especially among youth.

Local Arts & Community: Miles City Public Library landed a $1,000 AgWest Farm Credit grant to expand free adult programming, with staff crediting growing demand for more community events. Arts, Culture & Film: Livingston residents are pushing back on a Daily Wire production filming downtown under the working title “Pawn Shop,” saying businesses weren’t properly notified and questioning whether permits were handled correctly. Sports (Big Sky): Idaho stunned No. 1 Montana State 35-34 at the Kibbie Dome on a last-second touchdown and two-point conversion, snapping MSU’s 19-game winning streak. Sports (Health & Community): Bozeman runner Ashley Pecora rang the bell after completing breast cancer treatment, finishing the 28K Rut Mountain Runs in Big Sky as part of her recovery journey. Music/Pop Culture: ComplexCon returns for its 10th anniversary Oct. 3-4 in Los Angeles with an Opium takeover headlined by Playboi Carti and Ken Carson. Wildlife Policy: Montana’s Fish and Wildlife Commission rejected a petition that would have required hunters to carry bear spray in grizzly habitat.

Montana Arts & Events: Billings’ October ArtWalk returns Friday, Oct. 2, with dozens of stops and live music, plus a themed “Horror Politic” show at Kirks’ Grocery. Local Culture: Livingston’s ArtWeek wrapped with auctions supporting Montana artists, with proceeds largely going to creators and a portion backing art education. Streaming Picks: This week’s must-watch includes “Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story” and the return of “Marshals” for season 2. TV & Film (Yellowstone universe): “Marshals” season 2 adds Yellowstone’s Luke Grimes’ original stuntman, Jordan Warrack, as the show’s stunt coordinator. Music: Swae Lee and French Montana reunite for the “SUITCASE” video, a fashion-forward, Northern Lights dream sequence. Sports on TV (Montana focus): Montana State hosts Idaho tonight in a nationally televised ESPN matchup, with the Bobcats aiming to keep momentum while Idaho plays without key starters. Community Spotlight: Montana Stockgrowers Association opens registration for its 142nd Annual Convention & Trade Show in Billings, Dec. 3–5.

Death Penalty Scrutiny: Tennessee’s botched execution of Christa Pike has Gov. Bill Lee pausing lethal injections and ordering a third-party review, raising fresh questions about pentobarbital and likely fueling more appeals. Local Sports Spotlight: Montana State hosts winless Idaho in a nationally televised ESPN matchup, with the key storyline centered on stopping Idaho QB Joshua Wood and protecting MSU’s offense if Justin Lamson remains out. Griz Nation Culture: Missoula bar Red’s Bar owner Mike Helean is profiled for decades of service to UM fans and the community. Campus Tech for Focus: The University of Montana rolls out “Brick” devices to help students block distracting apps while keeping calls, texts, and GPS active. Community Events: Zootown Challenge returns for its fifth year at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, with proceeds supporting Opportunity Resources. Music Charts: Miley Cyrus’ “Bass Persuades” hits No. 1 on the Billboard 200, her first chart-topper in 13 years. Indigenous Arts & Film: Neighboring Nations Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival brings Indigenous food, art markets, and film screenings to the Beartooth region Oct. 9-12.

Local Arts & Community: Bozeman’s Shredtober is back at Kirk Park skate park, with contests, clinics, live music, local artists, food, and raffles to fund new skate spaces and year-round programming after a key park was demolished. High School Music: Montana State’s Spirit of the West will host a free Showcase of Bands Oct. 3, featuring 10 high schools plus a 406Cirque performance, with music themed around Nintendo classics. Education & Schools: Froid’s new superintendent Lance Olson says he’ll “fine tune the machinery” while pushing safety, clearer staff roles, and upgrades like a bus barn and playground plans. Accountability in Education: The Montana Board of Public Education revoked former Scobey teacher Lucas Knight’s license after allegations of inappropriate interactions with students. Arts & Events: Whitefish Oktoberfest kicks off Oct. 1 with Locals Night and runs two weekends, with steinholding, polka, keg-tapping, and a Hop Queen qualifier. Politics & Speech: I-194 (“Montana Plan”) is criticized as dangerously overbroad, potentially threatening nonprofits and businesses for normal election-related posts. Sports Preview: FCS Football Week 5 spotlights the “most wonderful and wacky” season, with South Dakota State vs. Illinois State as the featured matchup.

Bozeman Community & Youth Sports: Shredtober returns to Kirk Park with skate clinics, contests, live music, local art and raffles to raise money for new skate spaces and year-round programming. Local Film Controversy: Livingston’s downtown is serving as a set for “Pawn Shop,” recreating an ICE-related fatal shooting; residents and protesters are reacting, and a food pantry says filming road closures have cut access. College & Campus Pride: UM launches “Griz Fridays,” urging the campus community to wear maroon and silver each week, kicking off Oct. 2 during Homecoming. Arts & Culture: Tinworks Art in Bozeman debuts “Chisel & Razor,” spotlighting Edmonia Lewis’s legacy through contemporary artists, with a second act opening Oct. 11. Sports Schedules: Gonzaga releases its full 2026-27 slate for its first Pac-12 season, including a Jan. 6 opener at Washington State. Health & Care: Intermountain Health expands its OBGYN program in Billings amid a national shortage, aiming for more consistent prenatal and postpartum care. Winter Events: The Quality Ski Time Film Tour heads to Sandpoint with avalanche-safety talks and winter-themed raffles.

Sports Spotlight: John Steel Hagenbuch, sidelined for months by an autoimmune issue, shocked everyone by winning the Baldy Hill Climb in 37:55.5—his third overall title. Local Politics & Media: A new Oregon poll finds the governor’s race between Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan nearly deadlocked, with independents and cost concerns driving the tight numbers. Montana Ballot Watch: Montana’s ballot measure on political spending (I-194) is explained, targeting corporate money in elections after Citizens United. Celebrity & Legal News: LaMelo Ball’s partner, model Ana Montana (Analicia Chaves), faces felony drug charges in North Carolina. Arts & Culture: The San Juan Islands Museum of Art debuts “Alison Stigora: Constellation,” a suspended-sculpture installation opening Oct. 3. Music: Alter Bridge shares live footage from “Blackbird Festival,” and the Signal Awards see a big jump in podcast submissions. Wildlife Policy: The Trump administration’s “safety net” plan for grizzlies centers on immediate delisting efforts if a court fight fails.

Local Arts & Tech: Bozeman’s Museum of the Rockies opens “Popnology,” a pop-culture-to-technology exhibit with hands-on VR, robotics, and even a screen-used Luke Skywalker lightsaber. Music & Live Shows: Baroque Music Montana brings a chamber-music program Oct. 1 in Sidney, while Alter Bridge released live footage from its Blackbird Festival and announced a fall U.S. tour. Film Buzz: Russell Crowe’s Netflix “Unabomber” debuts at No. 1, spotlighting the manhunt and the Harvard psychology professor behind it. Community Spotlight: 1893 Matthew’s House in Montana earns Tourism Ambassador of the Year for building a community gathering space. Rural & Sports: A Great Falls man’s memory lives on through a new hockey scholarship, and Montana’s Angus Tour draws strong turnout and international interest. Policy Watch: Meta faces age-verification pressure in a lawsuit, raising big questions about how social platforms keep teens safe.

Wildfire Tech: Drones are already helping crews spot hotspots and map perimeters in places like the Sand Creek Fire, and federal agencies are now testing robots and AI to predict ignition and spread. Montana Campus Wellness: UM launched “Be Here with Brick,” placing tap-to-lock devices around campus to curb distracting apps and boost face-to-face connection. Local Sports Spotlight: Montana State held a Team IMPACT signing ceremony for 5-year-old Bozeman native Loic Blackford. Music & Pop Culture: Miley Cyrus celebrated her “Bass Persuades” No. 1 album debut, while coverage around the MTV VMAs also highlighted Dolly Parton’s tribute and why Miley didn’t perform. Arts & Travel: Art Basel Miami Beach announced its 2026 exhibitor list and a revamped floor plan for Dec. 4–6. Foodie Buzz: Missoula and Billings landed on WalletHub’s Top 100 foodie cities list. Community Reading Milestone: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library hit one million books distributed in Montana.

Montana Sports: Montana State keeps rolling in the FCS Top 25, staying No. 1 after a gritty 28-14 win over Northern Arizona, while Montana climbs back to No. 3 following its big UC Davis rout. Local Arts & Community: UM’s Big Sky Aphasia Program is using birding on campus to help stroke survivors with aphasia communicate, with results now published in Frontiers in Bird Science. Education & Culture: In Terry, three students are weaving a replica 1850s trade blanket on an antique loom for a museum exhibit as part of a new public history class. Media & Entertainment: Miley Cyrus’ Bass Persuades hits No. 1 on the albums chart for the first time in over a decade. Business/Local News: Lee Enterprises is acquiring the Great Falls Tribune, expanding its Montana footprint. Events: Great Falls tourism says the city topped 1 million visitors in 2025, and the Big Sky Food & Wine festival brought Montana chefs and live cooking demos to Bozeman.

MTV VMAs Recap: Madonna dominated the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, taking Artist of the Year and multiple wins, while Taylor Swift grabbed Video of the Year and the new Artist Director Honors; the show also featured a Dakota Johnson–Colin Farrell “Patient Zero” video debut and big red-carpet fashion moments. Montana Education Watch: A new report highlights how Montana’s Indian Education for All mandate is being applied unevenly across districts, with advocates pushing for consistent implementation statewide. Local Sports Spotlight: Montana State’s homecoming win over Northern Arizona drew attention, and the Bobcats’ gritty, short-handed victory story continues to roll through local coverage. Film & Streaming Buzz: Netflix’s “Unabomber” crime thriller shot to the top of the streaming charts despite harsh reviews, keeping true-crime drama in the spotlight. Community & Culture: Great Falls speedway worker Jody Kropp was honored for years of behind-the-scenes track prep that keeps race day running.

MTV VMAs: The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards kicked off in Los Angeles with Snoop Dogg hosting, and pop dominated the nominations—Madonna led the pack with 13 nods, followed by Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, while Nirvana was set for the Video Vanguard honor and Swift for the inaugural Artist Director award. Red-carpet buzz: Taylor Swift arrived solo in a black-and-silver gown, Paris Hilton went full intergalactic glam in silver, and Chloe Bailey turned heads in an ultra-sheer look. Big Montana sports note: Former Montana Grizzlies defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck was dismissed by Illinois after four games, following a rough stretch that included a 42-19 loss to Ohio State. Streaming spotlight: CBS’s long-running “The Big Bang Theory” stayed on top of streaming viewing charts, proving the franchise still pulls big numbers.

Nature & Film: Jon Batiste narrates “American Amazon,” an IMAX-style nature documentary from Montana-based Grizzly Creek Films, hitting theaters in November via MacGillivray Freeman Films and PBS’s “Nature.” Montana Sports: Montana State kept its streak alive with a gritty 28-14 Homecoming win over No. 18 Northern Arizona, leaning on backup QB Patrick Duchien and freshman Carter Dahlke after key starters were ruled out. Outdoor Access: The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a major travel-management shift that could presume most national forest trails open to ATVs, dirt bikes, and 4x4s unless marked closed—sparking conservation backlash. Fashion Spotlight: Phoenix Art Museum’s “Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion” celebrates its fashion collection through color-focused displays running through Aug. 2027. Music Buzz: Billy Ray Cyrus shared a 1992 handwritten letter from Dolly Parton, calling it a prized keepsake. Local Arts/Community: Helena’s tattoo scene is raising funds for mental health awareness with semicolon tattoos.

NAIA Football: College of Idaho jumped to 4-0 with a 35-19 win over No. 2 Montana Tech, sparked by Trezell Patterson’s 84-yard kickoff return TD and a second-half shutout. FCS Spotlight (Montana): Montana State opens Big Sky play Saturday vs. Northern Arizona, with the Bobcats aiming to reassert themselves against a 3-1 Lumberjacks squad led by QB Ty Pennington. Streaming Watch (Montana): Montana vs. UC Davis is streaming-only on ESPN Select/ESPN’s platforms, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. MT. Music & Pop Culture: The 2026 MTV VMAs hit Sunday (hosted by Snoop Dogg), with Madonna leading nominations and tributes including one for Dolly Parton. Country Music: Billy Ray Cyrus shared a handwritten 1992 letter from Dolly Parton, revealing her early encouragement as his career took off. Film Buzz: Netflix’s Unabomber keeps drawing debate and reviews as it dramatizes Ted Kaczynski’s Harvard-era experiments and the manhunt. Local Arts: Miles City Public Library’s Book Bedazzling drew 50+ attendees, with more community events planned through March.

Montana Arts & Events: Great Falls is gearing up for a big weekend with the Mary Fields (“Stagecoach Mary”) statue dedication (Sept. 26), plus the Women’s Expo (Oct. 2–4) and a Charlie Russell centennial celebration (Oct. 9–11). Local Music & Live Shows: Livingston’s Live From The Divide is lining up six fall concerts, including The Lowest Pair (Oct. 9), Will Varley (Oct. 10), John Moreland (Oct. 13), and a hometown album release from Lena Rich (Oct. 23). Crafts & Community: Creative Reuse Montana is hosting a free Fall Craft Supply Swap on Oct. 10, with drop-offs in multiple towns and “shop first” access for swappers. Museum & Visual Arts: The Danforth Museum of Art opens Sara Mast’s encaustic exhibit “Standing in the River” on Oct. 2, pairing Montana-inspired abstraction with contemporary materials. TV & Pop Culture: Netflix’s “Unabomber” keeps sparking debate—reviews and explainers are digging into what’s true versus what’s dramatized, while MTV’s VMAs return Sunday with Madonna’s big comeback performance and a Dolly Parton tribute. Sports on the Montana Radar: Montana State hosts Northern Arizona on Sept. 26 (ESPN2), and Montana fans can also catch local high school football highlights and TV/radio listings for the day.

MTV VMAs Buzz: Madonna leads the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations with 11 nods, including Video of the Year for “Confessions II – The Film,” and she’ll perform live for the first time in 23 years. Country Music Spotlight: Billy Ray Cyrus shared Dolly Parton’s 1992 handwritten letter on “Dolly Day,” including her sweet note about their first meeting. Streaming & True Crime: Netflix’s “Unabomber” is back in the spotlight, with coverage focusing on the film’s ending and what it gets right about Ted Kaczynski’s motive and the FBI hunt. Montana Arts & Culture: The Billings Symphony kicks off its Classic Series season with conductor Eric Garcia at the Alberta Bair Theater, plus Opera Montana and Yellowstone Repertory Theatre add to the fall calendar. Local Music & Community: A Helena tattoo shop is raising funds for mental health awareness with semicolon designs benefiting NAMI. Family Fun in Montana: The Bozeman Bale Maze returns with a spider-web theme and live music planned for Oct. 3.