Montana Public Radio

Glacier National Park

Going-To-The-Sun Road To Reopen

By • Jul 9, 2020
The weeping wall on Glacier Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road.
David Restivo, NPS (PD)

Glacier National Park plans to open up the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road next week. Most of the road will be open to visitors.

Hospitality Industry May Suffer From Foreign Visa Suspension

By Associated Press & Maggie Dresser • Jul 6, 2020
Downtown Whitefish, MT.
Josh Burnham / Montana Public Radio

After hosting exchange students from all over the world for the last 15 years, Whitefish resident Sue Moll will have a much quieter house this ski season.

Every year, Moll hosts foreign J-1 visa workers who travel to the U.S. to work at Whitefish Mountain Resort (WMR) as part of a cultural exchange, but the resort won’t be able to hire those employees for the 2020-2021 season.

After the Trump administration suspended some foreign worker visas until at least the end of the year, including the J-1 visa, a number of businesses in the Flathead Valley’s hospitality industry will not be able to utilize foreign workers that they typically hire seasonally.

Blackfeet Shut Down Glacier's East Entrances Over COVID-19 Fears

By Aaron Bolton • Jun 26, 2020
Glacier National Park sign at the park's St. Mary entrance.
Glacier National Park (PD)

The Blackfeet Nation will close off road access to Glacier National Park’s east entrances for the remainder of the tourism season, according to a resolution written Thursday. The tribal leaders’ decision was based on the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state.

Blackfeet Propose Bill To Further Protect Badger-Two Medicine

By • Jun 26, 2020
Solenex well site is the last remaining oil lease in Badger-Two-Medicine.
Corin Cates-Carney / Montana Public Radio

The Blackfeet Nation released draft legislation Thursday that would permanently protect the Badger-Two Medicine region bordering Glacier National Park from industrial resource development. Montana’s congressional delegation says they are reviewing the draft language of the proposed bill.

Border Patrol Extends Restrictions At Northern Ports Of Entry

By • Jun 26, 2020

Six ports of entry between Montana and Canada will continue to operate at reduced hours through July 21. Travel between the two countries is still restricted to essential only amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

Grizzly Euthanized Near Shelby After Repeated Conflict

By • Jun 25, 2020
Two yearling grizzly siblings were captured with their mother near Shelby early summer 2020 after frequently eating grain near a home. The family was relocated south of Glacier National Park.
Courtesy of Wesley Saramento / Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

On Tuesday, state wildlife officials announced the euthanization of a young male grizzly bear near Shelby.

COVID-19 Testing Sites Opening In Montana Tourism Hotspots

By • Jun 17, 2020
A snapshot testing site run by the Flathead Community Health Center began testing local workers in West Glacier, Mont. June 16, 2020.
Aaron Bolton / Montana Public Radio

COVID-19 testing sites are starting to open in tourism hotspots as Montana begins its Community Snapshot Testing Initiative. The program is part of the state’s effort to detect outbreaks early as it welcomes back out-of-state visitors.

Blackfeet Nation Continues COVID-19 Closures As Neighbors Begin To Reopen

By • Jun 17, 2020
A photo from June 06, 2020 show the closed St. Mary entrance into Glacier National Park, which borders the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The Blackfeet Nation has maintained travel closures longer than Glacier Park or the state of Montana.
Aaron Bolton / Montana Public Radio

As the busy summer season gets underway in various tourism hotspots across the state, Glacier National Park’s eastern neighbor is taking a more cautious approach. Concerns about COVID-19 have left the Blackfeet Nation slow to reopen its reservation to tourists.

You May Be Tough, But You're Not Tardigrade-Tough

By Michael K. Schwartz • Jun 9, 2020
Dr. Diane Nelson, N.P.S. (PD)

It’s early summer time in the Northern Rockies, a time for some bears to go into a hibernation-like state.  Yes, you heard that right: bears that hibernate in the summer.  What kind of bears are these, you might ask?  They are the waterbears, also known as tardigrades.

Blackfeet Ease Some COVID Restrictions, Keep Quarantine

By • Jun 8, 2020
Sign saying "Welcome to Blackfeet Indian Country."
Will Marlow (CC-BY-NC-2)

The Blackfeet Tribe last week took a step toward lifting restrictions put in place amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The tribal business council canceled the Blackfeet Reservation’s stay-at-home order and non-essential travel restrictions.

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