Two Governors Issue Separate September Proclamations

In September 2026, two U.S. governors issued separate proclamations addressing distinct public-safety topics in their states. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte proclaimed September as 'Bear Aware Month,' citing the state's grizzly bear recovery efforts and the need for continued public education to reduce human-bear conflicts. Separately, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared September 2026 as 'Emergency Preparedness Month,' urging residents, businesses, and communities to prepare for disasters. According to the reports, Gianforte's proclamation coincided with a period of increased bear activity in Montana, including a recent grizzly bear attack on an archery hunter, though further details about that incident, such as its location or the hunter's condition, were not provided in the available reporting. Healey's proclamation followed a historic blizzard in February 2026 that produced record snowfall and caused widespread power outages across parts of Massachusetts. Both proclamations were framed as public-awareness initiatives intended to encourage preparedness and safety among residents, though they addressed entirely different hazards and were issued in different states without any connection between them beyond the shared timing in September. As of the reports, both proclamations remain in effect for the month, with each governor's office promoting associated safety messaging. No specific programs, funding allocations, or measurable outcomes tied to either proclamation were detailed in the available reporting. The exact scope of educational or preparedness activities planned under each initiative, as well as any follow-up actions from state agencies, remains unspecified.