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.
Counting machines add vote of confidence to elections security
The conference room of the Flathead County Elections Department whirred with noise. Volunteers rattled off strings…
Election department moves to South Campus Building
The Flathead County Election Department is now located on the second floor of the South Campus Building, 40 11th St. W., Suite 230, in Kalispell.
Incumbent commissioner says she'll retain conservative focus
After nearly six years on the job, Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist said she thinks she’s “grown into the job really well.”
Retired mental-health director vying for commissioner seat
As Flathead County’s overcrowded jail remains a dilemma for the county, Eileen Lowery draws on her background in the mental-health industry when she suggests w…
Intervention on oil pipeline project unprecedented
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The Standing Rock Sioux’s effort to block a four-state oil pipeline got a lifeline when the federal government temporarily stopped the project, a move some say likely may forever change the wa…
Arrests of Oregon standoff leaders leaves 1 person dead
BURNS, Ore. (AP) — Federal and state law officers arrested the leaders of an armed group occupying a national wildlife refuge, during a traffic stop along a hi…
Trump says he will skip Fox News' debate on Thursday
NEW YORK — The seventh Republican primary debate airs Thursday on the Fox News Channel — but for many viewers it was expected to be Round 2 of Donald Trump vs.…
LETTER: Reasons why Comet should be most famous reindeer of all
1. Comet sounds way cooler than Rudolph.
LETTER: Words are powerful
The words we utter can be calm, or wise, or kind, or brilliant, or angry, or hateful and threatening. Once uttered, the words belong to us. We create them, and we are responsible for what they create in the world.
LETTER: Hey GOP, what about Putin?
After the last debate, I wonder:
LETTER: Construction too much for this resident!
Being a long time resident of the Haugen Heights Area of Whitefish, may I share some Insight as regards the sudden development of that area? The advent of 30-plus homes on adjoining land that touches my property me…
LETTER: 2nd thoughts about green box site in Bigfork
They’ve got to be kidding, right? After all the money and energy spent on the fancy, big facility designed to correct what the county saw as a problem with Bigfork’s green box site, the new one that opened for busi…
Five candidates vie for Columbia Falls council
Five candidates are competing for three seats on the Columbia Falls City Council in the Nov. 3 election. Incumbents Doug Karper and Darin Fisher are seeking re-election. Julie Plevel, whose term expires the end of …
Election race develops in House District 3
The 2016 elections for the Montana Legislature are still more than a year off, but the only Democrat planning to keep his seat in Northwest Montana already has a challenger.
Candidate makes third attempt at Ward 3 seat
In the only contested race in Kalispell city elections, one Ward 3 candidate — Karlene Osorio-Khor — has become known for rocking the boat. She’s part of a homeowner group currently suing the city over residential …
Ward 3 incumbent hopes to win first election
Last year as Randy Kenyon vacated his Kalispell City Council seat in Ward 3, Rod Kuntz was appointed by the council from a group of 10 applicants. He was a newcomer without previous experience in local government, …