AGP Executive Report

K9 Sports: Thornton hosted 63 dog-and-handler teams for the Worldwide K9 Frisbee Championship, where scores are based on how far pups fetch the Frisbee (with extra points for catching midair) and teams came from Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and more. Tenant Rights: Billings’ Golden Meadows Trailer Park residents are forming a tenant union after sharp lot-rent hikes, with organizers saying a win there could ripple across Montana. Big Sky Football: Montana’s Grizzlies kept rolling, beating Utah Tech 35-14 as Eli Gillman piled on another monster day—175 yards and three TDs—while the Montana State Bobcats topped Nevada 20-7 to improve to 3-0. Community & Culture: Missoula is gearing up for Sunday Streets on Sept. 20, and Montana’s music spotlight shines on Lindsay Lou’s push to uncover the women behind bluegrass’ biggest songs. TV/Streaming Buzz: Yellowstone spinoff stars Luke Grimes and Kelly Reilly tease that a Marshals/Dutton Ranch crossover feels “necessary” down the line.

Montana Sports Spotlight: Montana State kept its momentum rolling with a 20-7 win over Nevada, improving to 3-0 behind Justin Lamson’s 179-yard passing and three interceptions that flipped the game. Grizzlies Recap: Montana also stayed perfect, beating Utah Tech 35-14 as Eli Gillman added more rushing TDs and Trey Bender/Jordan Tripp broke down the win. Local College Football Buzz: Oregon State’s Dylan Layne snapped at “moral victories” after a 35-24 home loss to Texas Tech, while NFL Draft talk swirled around Arch Manning’s late-game execution in Texas’ comeback over Ohio State. Montana Arts & Culture: Stimson Lumber’s final Montana easement closed, locking in conservation protection for its timber base—plus public access to trails. Fitness in the Flathead: Core and Co. brought the Lagree method to Kalispell, promising slow, intense “time under tension” workouts. Entertainment & Pop Culture: Miley Cyrus posted sizzling Chateau Marmont party photos tied to her new single “Bass Persuades.”

Montana Sports: No. 3 Montana stayed perfect with a 35-14 home win over Utah Tech at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, with Eli Gillman piling up record-setting scoring (including a 1-yard TD early and another in the second quarter) as the Grizzlies improved to 3-0. Montana State Football: MSU looks to start 3-0 as it heads to Reno to face Nevada, with a notable backstory involving former MSU coach Jeff Choate. Local Arts & Culture: Great Falls is gearing up for a History Museum talk and a Holocaust exhibition, plus Oktoberfest events later this month. Glacier National Park on Screen: “Anna Pigeon” may be set in Glacier, but the series was largely filmed in Alberta’s Kananaskis Range. Community Events: Missoula’s area sports and culture calendar keeps moving, while Great Falls and beyond add more fall programming. Music/Fashion/Film: Charli XCX kicked off her “Music, Fashion, Film” tour in Philly with a live “Persona” debut and an Underscores collab.

Local Arts & Culture: Montana’s creative scene gets a boost with a new String Orchestra of the Rockies season opener at the University of Montana, plus a Kalispell bakery owner’s storytelling profile from the Daily Inter Lake’s storytelling bootcamp. Public Art: West Bend, Wisconsin added “Abundant,” a cast bronze and enamel sculpture by Guggenheim Fellow Teresa Baker, to its Riverwalk—basket-weaving inspired and rooted in Mandan and Hidatsa heritage. Outdoor & Conservation: The Roadless Rule fight is back in focus, with critics warning the USDA wants to roll back protections that help safeguard Montana’s forests, water, wildlife, and wildfire prevention. Sports on the Ground: Montana fans get Week 2 viewing help for FCS and college football, including Montana vs. Utah Tech and a Montana Western volleyball home opener win. Community Remembrance: Missoula and Bozeman both marked 9/11 with memorial events and hikes, reflecting on where they were 25 years later. Science & Weird History: A Montana-linked fossil story makes headlines—rare bird feathers found in dinosaur poop, alongside coverage of Mercury’s changes and faster-than-expected shrinking.

Duck Season Watch: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s fall waterfowl forecast is a downer for hunters, with total breeding ducks and mallards both below recent averages. Big Sky Football: No. 3 Montana hosts Utah Tech in Missoula, aiming to keep its early home momentum rolling. Volleyball in Montana: Montana State’s volleyball program stays in the spotlight after a strong showing at the Bobcat Invitational, with another key matchup on deck. Yellowstone Leadership: Yellowstone superintendent Cam Sholly is stepping down after eight years, closing a high-stakes era that included major crises and big bison-management shifts. Montana Law & Health: Lawmakers push a statewide kratom ban as the industry argues regulation is the better path. Arts & Entertainment: Eastern Montana Concert Association kicks off its 85th season with a ’70s-themed show, while Netflix’s “Lonesome Dove” adaptation keeps Western-literature fans buzzing.

9/11 Remembrance: Former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill revisited the Sept. 11 moment that changed everything, recalling how the attacks unfolded in real time while he was stationed in Germany. Montana Community & Youth: Missoula This Week highlights a new resource for kids in crisis, while another local update spotlights a therapeutic shelter opening for youth. Local Business & Culture: A new Hawaiian spot, Stella’s Surf Shack, brings music and shaved ice to Missoula’s West Side. Arts & Entertainment: The Don Giovanni review praises a visually dizzying Mozart production, and music fans get a big new-releases roundup featuring Jhené Aiko, Brian Fallon, and Ezra Collective. Sports: Montana State volleyball keeps rolling at the Bobcat Invitational, and Wyoming soccer’s reduced injuries are tied to analytics and training changes. Montana Economy/Industry: A Montana tunnels mine sale cleared a major hurdle in bankruptcy court, paving the way for new ownership. Community Events: The Butte Food Festival returns this Saturday with live music, vendors, and family-friendly fun.

Community Health: CSKT’s 2026 Elder Wellness Fair brought Flathead Reservation elders to Salish Kootenai College for screenings, education, games, and bison stew. UFC Spotlight: Sean O’Malley expects his protege Tommy McMillen to shine in UFC Fight Night 288 against undefeated Marwan Rahiki. Native Pride in Sports: Eastern Washington and South Dakota will wear Indigenous-language helmet decals in a Sept. 12 matchup, with translation led by Native cultural partners. Local Sports Stage: Kalispell’s Glacier flag football team heads to a national spotlight, while Great Falls’ KRTV book drive topped $30,000 for Whittier Elementary. Arts & Education: Superintendent Susie Hedalen launched a statewide “Montana Through Your Eyes” student art contest. Outdoor & Family Fun: Great Falls’ River’s Edge Trail section near Kings Bridge closes Sept. 14 for repairs, and Missoula Public Library hosts a Sesame Street elephant adventure preview Saturday. Montana History in the Spotlight: Terry’s Ellenore Bridenstine story resurfaces, highlighting Montana’s first woman state senator and her 1945 breakthrough.

Tech & Environment: Vision Aerial, based in Bozeman, unveiled OGI Scout 2.0 for its Vulcan SX drone, adding Aquanta Vision’s Pixel Analysis Mode to spot and colorize methane and other hydrocarbon plumes during flight. Local Sports: Glacier High School’s undefeated-in-state flag football run earns a national shot at the MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown in San Diego, with coach Mark Kessler aiming to “go and compete.” Community Arts & Recreation: MSU-Northern refreshed its tennis and pickleball courts, converting two older courts into a multi-use setup with two dedicated pickleball courts, now open to students and the public. Music & Education: Wolf Point welcomes a new music teacher, Nicole Euken, expanding choir and band programs and planning for music festivals. Streaming Buzz: Netflix is ordering a “Lonesome Dove” series from the “East of Eden” team, bringing Larry McMurtry’s Montana-spanning Western to TV. Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled broccoli sprouts has sickened people in Washington and Montana, with health officials urging consumers to avoid the affected products.

Local Music & Venues: New Orleans trumpeter Kermit Ruffins says his lease at the Mother-In-Law Lounge could end soon, as the building’s owner is ready to sell—Ruffins plans to help find a buyer and hopes the music stays. Community Arts: Bozeman illustrator Harrison Howard donated a redesigned banner to the Bozeman Senior Center, fixing a long-running spelling error and honoring the place he visited with his grandmother. Performing Arts (Montana): Billings Symphony is adding a new Billings Symphony Youth Chorale (grades 9+), with auditions starting Sept. 14 and a Dec. 8 debut performance. Music Buzz: Miley Cyrus’ Hollywood Bowl return sparked a record-breaking presale, and Kip Moore is set for a Dec. 5 stop at Missoula’s Wilma Theater. Major Screen News: Netflix ordered a new “Lonesome Dove” series from Zoe Kazan and Jeb Stuart. Sports & Safety: A trauma surgeon’s backcountry fall story highlights how “relentless positivity” is shaping his practice, while a separate report points to advances in football helmet safety. Montana Watch: Authorities warn of FBI fugitive Ronald Watson, with a doubled reward to $20,000, and say he may be in Montana.

Outdoor Policy: The U.S. Department of Agriculture move to scrap the Roadless Area Conservation Rule is drawing sharp pushback from Montanans who say it would open up millions of acres to new roads—threatening clean water, wildlife habitat, and wildfire prevention. Public Art & Mental Health: In Billings, artists and community groups are painting about 18 murals with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, turning neighborhood walls into messages of hope and safer conversations. Streaming & Montana Connections: Netflix is ordering a new “Lonesome Dove” series, reuniting “East of Eden” co-showrunners Zoe Kazan and Jeb Stuart to adapt Larry McMurtry’s story of a cattle drive to Montana. Music Update: Rosanne Cash has postponed three shows in Wyoming and Montana after an unexpected medical emergency, with rescheduled dates expected soon. Local Culture: A Flathead Valley DJ shares how music found him—through family car playlists, hip-hop radio, and the community of record-hunters that turned listening into a lifelong craft.

Local Arts Calendar: The Warren Miller Performing Arts Center unveiled its fall 2026 lineup, including Philip Daniel (Sept. 16), PechaKucha (Sept. 27), magic with Jeki Yoo & Ellie K. Park (Oct. 18), and Montana Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 13). Streaming Spotlight: Netflix is ordering “Lonesome Dove” to series, reuniting Zoe Kazan and Jeb Stuart for a new Western drama based on Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer-winning novel. Music & Community: Rosanne Cash postponed three Montana-area shows after an unexpected medical emergency. Montana Culture Project: An MSU Billings student is working to turn the historic Adams Hotel in Lavina into a regional cultural center for artists and musicians. 9/11 Remembrance: Missoula and Great Falls are both planning 25th-anniversary ceremonies with flags, first-responder tributes, and community events. Outdoor/Style: Bozeman trail-shoe brand Obōz says it’s skipping New York Fashion Week to keep hiking-focused commitments.

Live Music Update: Rosanne Cash, 71, has postponed three shows due to an “unexpected medical emergency,” including stops in Sheridan, WY (Sept. 8) and Billings and Bozeman, MT (Sept. 9 and 12). Her team says she’s recovering under doctors’ supervision with a temporary travel and performing restriction, and rescheduled dates aren’t set yet. Local Arts & Community: Missoula Greek Fest returns Sept. 18–20 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (301 S. 6th St. W.), with Greek food, pastries, dancing, live music, a kid zone, and a 50/50 raffle. Montana Memory & Culture: A Billings 9/11 memorial at City College is highlighted as a community-built tribute, anchored by a World Trade Center steel beam brought to Montana. Sports-Entertainment Crossover: The 49ers’ global fan push continues with NFL international games, including a season-opening trip to Australia. On Screen: Angelina Jolie’s wildfire thriller “Those Who Wish Me Dead” is surging on Netflix again, climbing to No. 3 in U.S. rankings.

Music & Culture: Jessica Lynn talks about bringing country music to Nepal through the U.S. Embassy’s Arts & Music Envoy program, collaborating with Nepali artists and leading workshops on songwriting and building a sustainable career. Montana Arts & Community: Missoula textile artist Amanda Browder is seeking brightly colored fabric donations and volunteers for a building-sized community installation planned for UM’s Brunswick Building and the Music Building. Local Events: Anaconda Yoga Fest returns Sept. 11-13 with dozens of classes, workshops, outdoor experiences, and live music. Sports Spotlight (FCS): Montana State stays unanimous No. 1 in the newest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 after a record-setting Gold Rush win, while Montana remains No. 3 following its Drake victory. Montana Sports (Preview): Coaches Brent Vigen and former Bobcats staffer Jeff Choate trade notes ahead of Nevada vs. Montana State, with injury updates tied to the Gold Rush opener. Safety Watch: Bitterroot National Forest warns heavy precipitation could bring flash flooding and debris flows, especially near recently burned areas. Touring Update: Rosanne Cash postpones Montana shows after an unexpected medical emergency.

All-City Marching Band: Billings’ new All-City Marching Band is in its third year, bringing students from five high schools together so more kids can keep the tradition alive. Archaeology in the Beartooths: A Montana expedition says it has uncovered an ancient mystery high in the mountains that “should not exist” in the local ecosystem. Local TV Upgrade: Montana PBS will rescan for Gallatin Valley viewers after a transmitter frequency move Sept. 14 to improve over-the-air reception. Fall Events in the Flathead: A guide highlights what’s coming this fall, including the Flathead Valley Celtic Festival (Sept. 11-12) with Highland games, music, and food. Music News: Ellie Goulding releases her sixth studio album, I Know Too Much. Film/TV Buzz: Streaming picks include Netflix thrillers and a roundup of epic TV shows. Documentary Spotlight: A Missoula-shot documentary, Chronically Yours, follows a young woman living with multiple sclerosis. Sports (UM): Eli Gillman’s record-setting day powers Montana’s 45-10 win over Drake.

Yellowstone spotlight: Larry Laverty’s new photo book, “Land of the Buffalo,” traces the buffalo’s Yellowstone-era story—from near-eradication to what’s next for the herds. Montana sports: UM’s Eli Gillman rewrote the record book in a 45-10 win over Drake, setting career rushing TD marks and powering a 2-0 start. Golf (Swiss Alps): Paul Casey fell in a playoff at the Omega European Masters, but still donated $412,500 to victims of the Crans-Montana bar fire. Streaming & TV: HBO Max adds “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” (Season 2) and “Krypto Saves the Day” (Season 2A), while a new Warner Archive release spotlights Humphrey Bogart’s “All Through the Night.” Local arts: Boulder Music & Arts Festival returns Sept. 12 with music and makers at Veterans Park. Montana kids online: Gov. Greg Gianforte met with Billings students and families to push stronger protections around social media use. Missing kids debate: A commentary argues Montana needs a clearer, consistent public notification standard for missing children.

Montana Sports Spotlight: Montana Grizzlies kicked off strong, beating Drake 45-10 in Missoula as Eli Gillman piled up three rushing TDs and became UM’s all-time rushing-TD leader. Bozeman Football Buzz: Montana State’s Gold Rush home opener brought the town together, with fans filling Bobcat Stadium in gold and the tradition growing beyond the stands. College Football Results: Montana also rolled in regional action, while Week 2 scoreboard coverage highlighted more big wins across the region. Arts & Community: Montana Treehouse Retreat launched an outdoor concert series with singer-songwriter Laura Gibson set for Sept. 19. Faith & Culture: A Montana youth Movement Conference drew big crowds for street-preaching influencer Bryce Crawford. Music Pop Culture: Miley Cyrus dropped her last name ahead of her new album “Bass Persuades,” with Billy Ray Cyrus backing the change. Policy & Outdoors: Montana’s roadless lands debate resurfaced, with calls to keep the Roadless Rule intact.