AGP Executive Report

On Screen: “399 Forever,” now streaming on Amazon Prime, follows the guides, photographers and advocates who watched Grizzly 399 and highlights the bear’s role in conservation. Live Performance: Broadway performers Aaron LaVigne and Jenna Rubaii bring “Radio Recall,” a concert of radio hits from the ’70s onward, to Glendive on Oct. 22, with a student performance earlier that day. Arts & Community: Whitehall’s volunteer-run Screams Come True haunted house opens Oct. 16 for its seventh season; proceeds help preserve the historic Star Theatre and support local arts programs. Benefit Concert: Country artists Kostas and Sunny Sweeney are set to headline a Red Lodge benefit for DSVS and the Beartooth Humane Alliance.

Books & Culture: Teen Vogue and Wattpad will publish Under the Northern Stars in daily installments starting Oct. 19. The romance pairs a science-loving small-town girl with a Montana bronc-riding champion. Screen News: Breaking Bad actor and disability-rights advocate RJ Mitte has died at 34. Bryan Cranston and other castmates paid tribute to the actor, who played Walter White Jr. Montana on Screen: Jessica Biel, Garrett Hedlund and Jake Lacy are set to star in Downriver, a dramedy about friends whose Montana getaway takes an unexpected turn. Arts & Events: Bozeman has welcomed its inaugural film festival, while Great Falls marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day with two days of culture and community. The C.M. Russell Museum is celebrating 100 years of the artist’s legacy, and KettleHouse Amphitheater has revealed 2027 concert plans.

Montana Connection: Jackson native RJ Mitte, best known as Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad, has died at 34. The actor and disability-rights advocate was remembered for bringing his own experience with cerebral palsy to the role; no cause of death has been confirmed. Local Events: Billings’ first Horror Con is set for Oct. 24–25 at MetraPark, with horror-themed booths, costumes and attractions. Great Falls marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day with storytelling, traditional food, a youth fashion show and a screening about the Fort Shaw girls basketball team. Arts & Culture: A statewide University of Montana campaign invites students to show, through art, what health and community mean to them. Red Lodge’s Neighboring Nations Indigenous Arts and Culture Festival brought teepees, Indigenous music and community gatherings to town. Film: Montana-shot Pawn Shop, produced by the Daily Wire, drew backlash over its portrayal of ICE. Danny Trejo said he is pro-immigrant, while his son alleges the actor wasn’t told about the film’s political angle.

Montana Film: Danny Trejo says he’s “pro-immigrant, not pro-ICE” after backlash over Pawn Shop, which resumed filming in Livingston under revised conditions following community concerns. Live Entertainment: KettleHouse Amphitheater has revealed its 2027 concert lineup; Bozeman also welcomed its inaugural film festival. Arts & Culture: The C.M. Russell Museum is marking 100 years of the artist’s legacy, while Missoula is now home to the state’s tallest mural. On Screen: Marshals Season 2 continues the Yellowstone saga, with a new episode focusing on Kayce and Tate’s struggles after Monica’s death. Griz Football: Montana fell 49-44 to Northern Arizona in a high-scoring road upset.

Film & Festivals: Bozeman has rolled out the red carpet for its inaugural film festival, adding a new screen-focused event to the local calendar. Visual Arts: Missoula’s Clark Fork Riverside is now home to the city’s tallest mural, while the C.M. Russell Museum is marking 100 years of Charlie Russell’s legacy. Live Entertainment: New 2027 concerts have been announced for KettleHouse Amphitheater, and the U.S. Air Force Band is bringing free performances to Montana communities. Culture & Community: Hardin’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration features Indian relays rooted in tradition; Bozeman’s Made Fair offers another showcase for local makers.

Livingston Film Debate: “Pawn Shop” resumed filming after a brief shutdown over noise, security and access to a local food pantry. Danny Trejo addressed backlash over the Daily Wire production, saying he is pro-immigrant, not pro-ICE, and “an actor” telling a story. Western Art: The C.M. Russell Museum marked a century of Charlie Russell’s legacy with events celebrating the Great Falls artist, including access to his home and studio, live music and traditional games. Montana’s Film Scene: Bozeman rolled out the red carpet for its inaugural film festival, while Livingston’s production dispute highlights tensions around filming in local communities. Live Arts: KettleHouse Amphitheater revealed new concerts for 2027, and Montana’s mural scene keeps growing, with projects in Glendive and Missoula making headlines.

Film & TV: Production of “Pawn Shop” resumed in Livingston under a revised permit after local concerns over disruptive filming and access to the food pantry. Actor Danny Trejo said he is pro-immigrant, not pro-ICE, and described his role as storytelling. Living Western Traditions: Nearly 40 teams gathered in Hardin for Indigenous Peoples Day Indian relay races, a family-rooted celebration of horsemanship and culture. Great Falls’ C.M. Russell Museum also marked 100 years of Charlie Russell’s legacy with events celebrating the Western artist. Live & Local: KettleHouse Amphitheater revealed new 2027 concerts, while the U.S. Air Force Band is bringing free performances to Montana, including Hamilton. Arts & Film: Bozeman rolled out the red carpet for its inaugural film festival, and a grain elevator became the canvas for Montana’s largest mural. Campus Tradition: Montana Tech’s homecoming bed races crowned the Robotics Club champion, continuing a student-built tradition dating to the late 1980s.

Film & TV: Danny Trejo says he’s “pro-immigrant” after backlash over Pawn Shop, the Daily Wire film shooting in Livingston; production resumed after a temporary halt amid local protests. Montana also gets a screen turn in Cast Iron Cowboy: an upcoming episode follows Kent and Shannon Rollins at a Harlowton ranch, cooking for its crew. Movie-Car Makeover: A Montana find tied to Fast & Furious 7 is headed for a radical rebuild: makers plan to fit the film’s Audi R8 stunt-car shell onto an off-road buggy. Live Arts: The Air Force Band is bringing free concerts to Montana, including a Hamilton performance, while new shows have been announced for KettleHouse Amphitheater’s 2027 season. Montana Film & Culture: Bozeman has rolled out its inaugural film festival, and Montana is marking 50 years of A River Runs Through It.

Montana Film: Danny Trejo says he’s “pro-immigrant” and not pro-ICE after backlash over his role in Pawn Shop, the Daily Wire film shooting in Livingston. Production resumed after a temporary permit suspension sparked by local concerns. Live Music: KettleHouse Amphitheater has announced two 2027 shows: Remi Wolf on May 19 and Leon Bridges with Kokoroko on Aug. 21. Campus Media: Montana State University Billings students are reviving the dormant Retort newspaper, with a first issue planned by Halloween. Arts & Culture: The U.S. Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants are bringing free concerts to Montana, with performances planned in Hamilton and northwest Montana.

Made in Montana: The Bozeman Made Fair returns to Brick Breeden Arena Oct. 9–10, with local artists and craftspeople selling art, clothing and other handmade goods. Saturday admission is free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Onstage: The U.S. Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants bring 11 free performances to Montana Oct. 14–25, with stops in Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Great Falls, Missoula, Hamilton, Kalispell and Polson. Tickets are required. Classical Music: Red Lodge’s concert series begins Oct. 27 at Harper Hall, with four concerts spanning Baroque music to Piazzolla and performers from Montana and beyond. Film in Livingston: Production of Pawn Shop has resumed after a temporary halt over road closures and objections to a scene resembling the killing of Renee Good. The controversy has raised concerns among residents about the production’s impact on the town.

Live Music: Glendive gets Montana’s only stop from Uganda’s Watoto Children’s Choir on Oct. 15, with a free concert at Glendive Alliance Church. Hamilton hosts the U.S. Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants on Oct. 21, while Red Lodge’s classical concert series returns Oct. 27 with four performances planned. Film: A controversial Daily Wire production in Livingston has resumed after residents objected to street closures, gunfire and a scene resembling Renee Good’s killing. The dispute has raised questions about how film crews work with Montana communities. Visual Arts: A grain elevator in Montana has become the state’s largest mural, bringing a striking new landmark to the landscape. Montana Music: Bozeman-connected band Buffalo Traffic Jam is drawing growing crowds beyond the state, with sold-out New York shows and major festival dates ahead.

Film & TV: Livingston officials have allowed the Daily Wire film Pawn Shop to resume after a permit suspension and public safety concerns. The controversy has raised worries that future productions could face a harder welcome in the Montana film town. Public Art: In Glendive, artists are turning a vacant grain elevator into what’s expected to be Montana’s largest mural, drawing daily crowds to watch it take shape. Local Festivals: Missoula’s 33-year-old Germanfest added Montana’s steinholding championship to its live music, food and traditional festivities. Montana Arts: Photographer Tom Murphy was named Park County Artist Laureate, while A River Runs Through It is being celebrated 50 years after its release.

Film in Livingston: Production of Bonfire Pawn Shop has resumed under new permit conditions after safety concerns and protests disrupted filming. Tourism leaders hope the controversy won’t discourage future productions in the film-loving community. Public Art: In Glendive, artists are turning a vacant grain elevator into what’s expected to be Montana’s largest mural, drawing residents to watch its progress. Montana on Screen: The 50th anniversary of A River Runs Through It is prompting a look back at the film’s Montana legacy. Regional Film Festival: The Yellowstone Film Festival opens its second year in Cody Oct. 9–11, with regional films, a student showcase and stories from Montana, Wyoming and Idaho honoring founder Jake Graham. Visual Arts: Photographer Tom Murphy has been named Park County’s 2027 Artist Laureate.

Film in Livingston: The Daily Wire’s “Pawn Shop” resumed filming Tuesday after the city commission restored its permit, with conditions addressing noise, security and access to the local food resource center. Montana on Screen: Bozeman Film Festival will premiere “Hard Twist,” a documentary about Big Timber-raised Western photographer Barbara Van Cleve, on Oct. 9, with Van Cleve joining a post-screening Q&A. Local Music: Bozeman deathcore band Grove Ritual released “Forged in Malice,” featuring Ryan Labenske, ahead of its new EP, “Ascension,” due Oct. 9; Cut Bank-raised country singer Trevor Panczak is set to perform in Malta on Oct. 26. Arts & Heritage: Montana marks 50 years since Norman Maclean published “A River Runs Through It.” A recent Hooks for Books event honored the novel’s lasting influence on the state’s fishing culture and presented its Writers on Water award to Maclean’s son, John. Montana Star: Luke Grimes, who moved to Montana in 2019, is leading CBS’s “Marshals,” the “Yellowstone” spinoff that has become the network’s top show.

Gaming & Pop Culture: Wargaming is bringing Blue Archive back to World of Warships and World of Warships: Legends this October, with returning Commanders and ships plus new in-game events. Local Arts & Community: Wyoming State Archives’ Speaker Series spotlights commercial art historian Colton Bowden on Edgar Church, with a free virtual talk and live Q&A in Cheyenne. Montana Film Controversy: Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire “Pawn Shop” production has faced renewed scrutiny after Livingston residents protested filming, with claims it disrupted local businesses and blocked access to a food pantry. Music: Alter Bridge released the official video for “Tested and Able,” and announced a fall U.S. tour with stops including Spokane. Sports (Montana ties): Montana football coach Ed Lamb said UNC’s loss to the Grizzlies left lingering doubt, while Montana Tech’s home slate and match times were outlined for the week. Outdoors & Health: UM researchers say bird-watching may help stroke survivors with aphasia communicate again. Community Events: Great Falls Public Schools announced a Community Powwow at Charles M. Russell School on Nov. 14.

Montana Film & TV: Livingston officials voted unanimously to let the Daily Wire-affiliated “Pawn Shop” film resume after a near-week of local backlash, with producers promising tighter permit compliance and less disruption as shooting wraps soon. Local Theatre: Anaconda Ensemble Theatre marks its fifth anniversary by bringing back “War of the Worlds,” blending old radio-drama vibes with live performance for October audiences. Music & Performance: The U.S. Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants will tour Northwest Montana with free, ticketed concerts in Kalispell, Polson, and Eureka (plus more dates across the state). Conservation & Outdoors: University of Montana researchers and Ducks Unlimited volunteers continue a long-running lesser scaup duck banding project in Centennial Valley, adding another season to one of the region’s biggest wildlife datasets. Sports Spotlight: The “Marshals” Yellowstone spinoff Season 2 premiere drew 20.6 million viewers, a major scripted-series debut for CBS. Arts & Craft: Wood & Wire opens in Great Falls as a boutique, handmade-instrument shop built for quieter, hands-on guitar browsing.