AGP Executive Report

Juneteenth on the calendar: Montana State University will host a free, public Juneteenth celebration June 19 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) in Bozeman with food, live music, raffles, and hands-on storytelling quilt-square activities. Community library news: Helena is getting a new Mobile Library, with an unveiling party June 16 at the Lewis and Clark Library; the outreach fleet will also expand book, tech, and Wi‑Fi services across Lewis and Clark County. Local sports + fundraising: “Throw with Grace” at Rapid City’s Greenway Days drew 50+ disc golfers for a charity ace race benefiting Make-A-Wish of South Dakota and Montana. Mountain biking feat: Two Montana women were inducted into the “Epic Legends” Hall of Fame after completing a grueling trio of multi-day races. Fandom fun in Billings: Billings Fun Con returned for its third year at MetraPark Expo Center, running through Sunday with vendors, cosplay, tabletop games, and celebrity guests. Music on the move: Zootown Festival is back in Missoula June 19-20 with headliners including The Lumineers, The Chicks, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and more. Legal gray area: A new look at casino sweepstakes platforms explains how state-by-state rules are tightening, with bans taking effect in 2026.

Music & Community: Zootown Festival returns to Missoula June 19-20 with big-name acts and added extras like the Missoula Butterfly House, plus shuttle parking around the fairgrounds. Local Gigs: Montana duo Edda Glass and Max Hatt bring jazz, bossa nova and folk to Warm River Studio in Ashton on June 19. Sports Spotlight: The Great Northwest Challenge brings 2,000 high school rugby players from 35 states to Bozeman, with the Montana Institute of Sport pushing the city as a rugby hub. Family Fun: Helena Food Share’s “Summer Lot Party” drew families for food, games, and live music. Montana Keepsakes: The state’s delegation is submitting a silver belt buckle for the 250th congressional time capsule. Media Watch: The Anaconda Leader newspaper has shut down after 55 years, citing inflation and rising operating costs. Health & Safety: A Butte teen was injured in a carnival ride accident; a similar operator opened in Livingston amid renewed scrutiny.

Local Sports Growth: Great Falls’ Wild West Camp is boosting youth hockey with full-day on-ice and off-ice training, reflecting a surge in Montana amateur players. Community Safety Scrutiny: A carnival company opened in Livingston after a Butte teen was injured on a ride, reigniting questions about how outside operators are vetted. Outdoor & Wildlife Tech: Helena’s Spring Meadow Lake now has an osprey livestream, with a nesting platform built through Montana conservation partners. Arts & Entertainment: An eclectic Soundcheck Summer Music Series returns to Pinedale with free, family-friendly shows and dance lessons. Local Media Loss: Anaconda’s long-running Anaconda Leader newspaper has shut down, ending 55 years of local coverage. World Cup Watch: Montanans can catch the U.S. opener vs. Paraguay at 7 p.m. MDT, with watch parties across the state. TV Buzz: “The Madison” Season 2 is set to get tougher after the honeymoon phase, per Michelle Pfeiffer. Obituary: Bill Sprinkle, a Montana football standout and father of UW coach Danny Sprinkle, has died.

Local Sports & Community: A Montana boxing night is set for June 19 at the historic Old Montana Prison in Deer Lodge, turning the prison yard into an outdoor ring with multiple bouts and local matchups. Music & Montana Pride: Former Gallatin and Montana State football player Michael Armstrong is chasing a country music dream, sharing how a brutal winter drive helped spark lyrics for his “Silver Spoon” track. TV & Pop Culture: Taylor Swift quoted “Yellowstone” during her Songwriters Hall of Fame speech, using John Dutton’s line about building something worth having as advice for creators. Film/Streaming Buzz: “Dutton Ranch” Episode 6 (“A Cowboy Saint”) leans into Beth’s big Chicago work trip and Rip’s ranch leadership as the series pushes its next chapter on Paramount+. Outdoor/Local Events: Butte’s Cruise Nite car shows return this Wednesday with family-friendly stops and a Peoples Choice vote for cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Sports (World Stage): World Cup 2026 is underway, with betting guides and match previews rolling in as Spain and Cape Verde kick off Group H action.

UFC at the White House: Helena’s Sean O’Malley is set to fight Aimenn Zahabi at the “Freedom 250” event, with the bout framed as a title-fight eliminator and outdoor weather adding extra risk. Local Sports & Community: UM unveiled new Washington-Grizzly Stadium turf with Montana Knife Company as an official partner, and Butte’s Miners Union Day returns June 19 with free family admission at the World Museum of Mining. Montana Arts & Festivals: Bozeman’s Alpenglow Festival announced Eli Young Band as the Aug. 29 headliner, and the Montana Folk Festival is gearing up for July 10–12 but needs volunteers to pull it off. Books for Young Readers: Mac Barnett’s adult debut “Make Believe” is spotlighted, arguing kids’ books deserve serious attention and can spark a love of reading. Family-Friendly Local News: A new ice cream shop in Great Falls is in the works, while Montana’s farmers market season keeps rolling with fresh openings and summer hours. Sports on TV: “Dutton Ranch” episode 6 drops Friday on Paramount+ and Paramount Network, with streaming options highlighted for fans.

New Music: Rick Ross announced his comeback album Set in Stone drops July 17, with the T.I.-featuring single “Mahogany Caskets” set for June 12. Local Arts & Community: Missoula’s free City Band concerts are back at Bonner Park starting June 17, with weekly summer dates through August. Outdoor Recreation: Heelside Boards is preparing to open in Missoula (soft opening June 23, grand opening June 26) with kiteboarding and wake gear plus hydro-foiling equipment. Public Lands Watch: Montana FWP is investigating graffiti damage at Sluice Boxes State Park near Belt and is asking the public for tips. Health & Aging: A new study finds more older adults in the Mountain West are trying edible cannabis for pain and sleep—often not to get “high,” but to improve quality of life. Sports Culture: FIFA World Cup 2026 music and hype keep rolling, including RedOne’s “Follow Me” featuring French Montana and TWICE’s Jihyo, arriving June 12. Rodeo: MSU-Northern’s rodeo teams are headed to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper starting June 14.

Local Arts: The Bair Museum in Martinsdale opens “Montana Collects” this summer, pairing private-collection paintings/drawings/photos with Edward S. Curtis photogravures in “Chiefs & Warriors.” TV & Film Buzz: “1923” won’t return for Season 3/4—Paramount+ is treating the Dutton prequel as a limited, two-season story. Sports (Montana): Broadus freshman Patrick No Runner wins his first Class C state golf title, becoming the first male Native American to take a Montana state golf championship. Sports (World Cup): Billings’ Hooligan’s Sports Bar is rebranding as “Hooligans Football Club” to show as many 2026 World Cup matches as possible. Community & Culture: Whitefish’s Westland Impact Festival runs June 11–13 with films, panels, and concerts powered by solar and batteries. Food & Safety: Go Raw LLC expands a Montana-included pet food recall over potentially low thiamine levels. Pop Culture: Billy Ray Cyrus says a 2024 sepsis crisis left him unable to sing or speak, but he’s back with new music.

Community Spotlight: Indigenous Made Summer Market returns to Caras Park in Missoula this Saturday (9 a.m.–3 p.m.), bringing 60+ Native artists and makers plus jewelry, pottery, beadwork, and more. Outdoor & Culture: SIFF highlights Indigenous-made docs “Are You Native?” and “Powwow People,” pairing identity stories with powwow life. Local Arts & Entertainment: Montana’s 2026 live-music calendar is packed, with a roundup of the best venues across Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, and Great Falls. Film Buzz: Netflix is marking the one-year anniversary of “KPop Demon Hunters” with anniversary theater screenings and free outdoor sing-along events that include Butte, Montana. Sports & TV: Taylor Sheridan’s “Marshals” is drawing major attention as a top-watched CBS scripted debut, while “Dutton Ranch” continues the Yellowstone universe. Montana Outdoors & Policy: A BLM grazing overhaul is out for public comment, with ranchers praising flexibility and conservationists warning it could push elk off public range. Scam Alert: WA’s AG warns Spanish-speakers about workers’ comp scams targeting injured employees with fake “official” messages and payment demands.

Helena High School Baseball: The Helena school board unanimously approved adding high school baseball starting next spring, with a $115,000 fundraising push helping make Helena the latest Capital City AA program to join the sport. Montana PBS Wins Emmys: Montana PBS brought home two Northwest Emmy Awards for “11th and Grant with Eric Funk” and the MSU School of Music’s 2025 “Noël!” concert production. Local Comedy Spotlight: “Girls Will Be Girls” is bringing a lineup of Montana comedians—Butte, Missoula, and Billings performers included—to The Covellite for a night of stand-up. Sports & Community: The CSKT Summer Youth Program is giving tribal teens hands-on career experience through a six-week, federally funded work program with mock interviews and financial literacy. Local Sports Business: Great Falls-area sports reporter Andrew Cornelius is set to expand coverage for high school athletics and local events. AUSL Opening Day: The Utah Talons kick off their 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League title defense with a rematch against the Chicago Bandits.

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks: Bozeman’s free summer Shakespeare returns with The Merchant of Venice (June 10-13) and Much Ado About Nothing (June 17-20) at MSU Duck Ponds, with 7 p.m. “Share the Stage” local-performer pre-shows. Downtown Bozeman Art Walk: The 2026 kickoff hits Friday, June 12 (6-8 p.m.) with an earlier Emerson Center launch (5-9 p.m.), plus art markets, food trucks, and live music across 35+ participating businesses. Local TV buzz: Yellowstone fans get more Marshals news—Season 2 production is underway and expected to return this autumn. Community outdoors: Montana’s free fishing days run June 20-21—no license needed, but regulations still apply. Music & pop culture: LE SSERAFIM’s BOOMPALA remix with Guru Randhawa is drawing backlash online, while Osees dropped new album OFF COURSE. Sports spotlight: The College World Series guide and AUSL pro softball season coverage are both in the mix as summer sports ramp up.

World Cup Buzz: FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to kick off June 11–July 19 across 16 host cities, with 48 teams and 104 matches—plus the full 26-man squads are rolling out, including Mexico’s roster featuring Guillermo Ochoa. Music & Culture: Osees surprise-release “OFF COURSE,” a five-track album built from jam sessions and recorded live to tape. Local Arts & Community: MontanaFair will cut the number of displayed photography and fine arts exhibits due to space limits, with a separate August exhibitor reception planned. TV/Entertainment: Paramount+’s Yellowstone universe keeps expanding—“Marshals” has officially started Season 2 production in Park City, with Luke Grimes back as Kayce Dutton. Montana Outdoors: FWP’s new Troutcast app aims to forecast drought impacts on fish flows, helping anglers and fisheries managers plan ahead. Sports/Prep: Mead’s longtime coach Quantae Anderson steps down; KC Ahrens takes over after a strong Deer Park run. Health/Science: Two NIH scientists in Montana face charges tied to alleged mpox sample smuggling.

Montana Outdoors & Tech: A new Troutcast app is rolling out to help Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks forecast drought impacts on fish flows, with support from USGS, Montana State University, and NOAA. Community Spotlight: “Positively Montana” is set to feature Shriners Children’s Spokane work (and a special Sunday June 14 broadcast), highlighting care for thousands of Montana kids. Land & Safety: DNRC is weighing whether to permanently close two Gallatin Gateway state trust land parcels over unregulated shooting concerns, with decisions due by July 1. Music & Local Culture: Helmville’s Old Salt Festival returns June 19-21 at the Mannix Family Ranch, mixing live music, ranching culture, and local food. TV Production Watch: Luke Grimes is back as Kayce Dutton as CBS’s “Marshals” begins Season 2 production, continuing the Yellowstone spinoff momentum. Sports Entertainment: The 2026 World Cup is ramping up with FIFA’s official album tracklist and cross-North America concert plans. Montana Business/Tech: Mobix Labs has entered a letter of intent to acquire Montana drone maker Vision Aerial. Identity & Travel: The Blackfeet Nation is now offering Enhanced Tribal ID cards that are WHTI-compliant for travel.

Montana Tech & Business: Mobix Labs has signed a binding letter of intent to buy Vision Aerial, a Montana drone maker, aiming to expand into fast-growing defense, public safety, and critical-infrastructure aerial tech. Internet Safety: Montana AG Austin Knudsen is urging parents to talk with kids about online dangers during Internet Crimes Against Children Prevention Month, citing thousands of child sexual abuse material cyber tips. Local Sports & Talent: Great Falls High’s Steele Harris committed to Wisconsin, capping a standout junior season on both sides of the ball. Community & Arts: Billings’ Montana Renaissance Festival turned MetraPark into a medieval fantasy weekend with costumes, vendors, and live performances. TV & Pop Culture: CBS’s “Marshals” Season 2 is set to pick up immediately after the Season 1 finale cliffhanger, with Cal surviving but fans warned to brace for more trouble. Music & Culture: FIFA released the official 2026 World Cup album, spotlighting global stars including Shakira and Nigerian artists like Burna Boy and Rema. Sports Spotlight: The Bob Cleverley 8-Man All-Star Game in Butte delivered a comeback win, with Montana State commit Ebe Grabow starring for Red.

Montana Renaissance Festival: Billings turned MetraPark into a medieval fantasy weekend, with knights, artisan vendors, and live performances drawing first-timers and longtime fans alike. TV & Streaming Buzz: Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe keeps rolling—Dutton Ranch’s Episode 5 leans into Beth and Rip’s financial scramble and a tense pivot to Beaulah’s 10-Petal Ranch, while fans also track Marshals Season 2 hopes and premiere details. World Cup Fever: The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 with 48 teams and 16 host sites across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and the official music push is already underway with an album featuring Shakira, Burna Boy, Davido, and more. Local Sports Spotlight: Butte’s Bob Cleverley 8-Man All-Star Game delivered a comeback finish, with Montana State commit Ebe Grabow starring for Red. Health & Safety Watch: A watchdog roundup highlights ongoing solitary confinement abuse across prisons, detention centers, jails, and schools. Community Care: Home Instead in Kalispell spotlights at-home support for seniors who want to stay in their own homes.

Montana Renaissance Festival: Billings turned medieval this weekend, with knights, merchants, costumes, and artisan vendors drawing crowds looking for a break from everyday life. Wildfire Watch: Montana officials warned that drought, wind, and a warmer winter could mean above-normal fire risk, with local volunteer departments still facing recruitment strain. Land-Trade Politics: A Montana land-swap process is getting more political and faster, shifting power to the five-member Land Board and raising questions about what counts as a “fair trade” for public interests. Sheridanverse Buzz: “Dutton Ranch” Episode 5 leans harder into the ranch-vs-ranch drama, as Beth and Rip regroup with the 10 Petal crew—setting up fresh trouble for the show’s biggest storyline. World Cup Music: FIFA released the 2026 World Cup album, spotlighting global stars including Shakira and Burna Boy, with afrobeats and cross-continental collaborations front and center. Arts & Culture Loss: Puppet artist Michael McCormick, known for work on “The Dark Crystal” and “Return of the Jedi,” died at 85.

Wildfire Watch: Montana officials warned of above-normal wildfire risk as drought, heat and wind ramp up, urging better local readiness and faster detection. Internet Safety: Attorney General Austin Knudsen and DOJ investigators pushed Internet Crimes Against Children Prevention Month reminders for parents, citing thousands of Montana cyber tips. Helena Schools Exchange: Helena High celebrated its Japanese sister-school partnership with a visit from Kumamoto principal Masataka Watanabe, renewing cultural and education ties. Music & Film: Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament highlighted skateboarding’s impact in Indigenous communities as he supports new Montana parks, while Tribeca film coverage spotlighted his skate roots. TV & Streaming: “Dutton Ranch” keeps expanding the Yellowstone universe, with Episode 5 driving major drama and Cole Hauser opening up about Texas heat during filming. Local Outdoors: A Glacier National Park hiker shared a grizzly attack story after being bitten and dragged, with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Arts Calendar: Today’s happenings include National Bowls Day and local community events in High Prairie.