Politics & Government
The Daily Inter Lake’s Politics & Government section delivers updated local and national political coverage, featuring legislative developments, elections, policy debates, and government actions shaping Montana.
Kalispell adopts public engagement plan updates, hears status of Crisis Assistance Team
City Councilors on Monday lauded Kalispell’s updated public participation plan, saying it could serve as a model f…
Bullock travels to Iowa as he explores possible run
HELENA — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock wrapped up a two-day tour of Iowa on Friday to campaign for that state’s Democratic attorney general and test the waters fo…
Kalispell's Al Olszewski bills self as 'activist' senator
Dr. Al Olszewski sat down with the Daily Inter Lake editorial board Tuesday to discuss his campaign for U.S. Senate.
Ex-Dem chairman seeks Green Party qualification data
HELENA — A former Montana Democratic Party chairman appears to be laying the groundwork for a possible challenge to the secretary of state’s certification of the Green Party for the ballot in this year’s state elec…
Spending bill could shape Montana forestry
A $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill meant to fund the federal government through September will head for a vote this week, and it could have major implicatio…
GOP challengers to Tester meet in first US Senate debate
HELENA — Each of the four candidates seeking the Republican nomination for Montana’s U.S. Senate election this fall said Thursday that he has the best shot of …
Democratic activist charged with assaulting Zinke staffer
WASHINGTON (AP) — An operative for a political committee that supports Democrats has been charged with assault following a confrontation with a staffer for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke outside a congressional hear…
Flurry of candidates file for state elections
Monday was the last day to file for this year’s elections, and several Flathead-area candidates have put their names on the ballot.
House candidate Kier touts conservation work
Grant Kier visited the Daily Inter Lake recently to discuss his candidacy for Montana’s lone U.S. House seat.
AP FACT CHECK: A look at Tester's support of banking bill
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Democratic senators who supported the banking bill that recently passed the Senate have come under fire from others in their party for bac…
Zinke defends plan to raise park fees amid flap over travel
WASHINGTON (AP) — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke bristled Tuesday under questioning by Democrats about his travel spending as the Trump administration seeks dee…
Head of Child and Family Services resigns after 16 months
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The head of Montana's Division of Child and Family Services has resigned after 16 months on the job as the state has a record number of kids in foster care and the agency is dealing with intern…
Zinke talks Sperry rebuild, parks funding
On Saturday morning, employees of Glacier National Park and the Glacier National Park Conservancy welcomed Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to Columbia Fal…
Bozeman Dem touts progressive record in U.S. House race
Kathleen Williams, a Bozeman Democrat seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, sat down with the Daily Inter Lake Friday to discuss her campaign.
Interior Department veterans: Proposed overhaul is flawed
DENVER (AP) — U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's plan for a major realignment to put more of his department's decision-makers in the field has a fundamental …
Democrats say Interior boss withheld key facts
DENVER (AP) — Two Democratic congressmen accused Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Wednesday of withholding key information from lawmakers while launching a mas…