Glacier Traffic Continues to Mean Big Bucks for Montana

A new report by the National Park Service is reinforcing previous findings that Glacier tourists mean a lot of jobs and a big economic impact for Montana.

The report shows that last year, the 3.2 million visitors to Glacier National Park spent an estimated $458 million in local gateway regions, supporting almost 5,200 jobs. There was over $200 million in labor income, $359 million in "value added", and $656 million in economic "output" for the communities surrounding the park.

The report found that, nationwide, visitors spent an astonishing $29 billion within 60 miles of park units.

Zootown Fest was a money maker

Not only was the first Missoula Zootown Festival memorable this summer, it was also a money-maker.

Zootown Festival Co-founder and Director Scott Osburn says the latest estimate places the "net economic impact" at $9.1 million for the weekend event.

"Which also equated to something in the range of 60 to 67 annualized salaried jobs," Osburn explains. "And also, this is a wider range, but somewhere in the range of $200,000 to $400,000 net tax impact as well. Our goal in our job is to continue to grow and for businesses to benefit over this weekend and residents alike."

RELATED: Who We'd Like to See Next Year at Zootown Fest

     Final crowd numbers were 30,000 attendees, with the festival already making plans to return next year, with the current agreement running through 2029.

Bozeman busting bad drivers

If you are a Bozeman driver and DON'T follow the law, there's a better chance you've gotten a ticket in 2025.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle is reporting Bozeman Police have made 4,000 traffic stops since January, netting more than 30 ADDITIONAL arrests for drunk driving. The crackdown comes in response to more complaints about reckless driving, speeding, and intoxicated drivers.

Report remains, don't move them

The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is using the discovery of what turned out to be indigenous remains to remind people to call first when making such a discovery, and not to move bones.

Authorities solved a mystery yesterday when they released results of radiocarbon dating that confirmed the remains found in multiple locations southwest of Missoula last year actually dated back to some time around 1800.

     Arrangements are being made to give the bones to local tribal leaders for a respectful ceremony.

Update on Yellowstone dog seizure

The Yellowstone County Sheriff says the dogs seized from a home near Shepard last week are doing fine, and the agency is asking the public to donate cash, not food if they'd like to help care for the animals.

The 42 dogs include Newfoundlands and Australian Shepherds, with both adult dogs and puppies. Four needed advanced care after they were seized. Deputies are continuing to investigate the case for the filing of possible animal cruelty and neglect charges.

Expansion funded for Veterans Cemetery in Missoula

Big news for Montana veterans this week, with the VA announcing it is granting up to $1.5 million to expand the Western Montana Veterans Cemetery in Missoula.

The money will pay for 300 pre-placed crypts, over 820 columbarium niches, along with roads, landscaping, and irrigation.

It was just last year that Governor Gianforte announced the VA was giving $2.7 million to expand the Montana Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.

     🇺🇸 Governor Gianforte is praising the news, saying the state has a "solemn responsibility to honor and remember the veterans who have served our country."