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.
Trump administration cancels rule that made conservation a 'use' of public lands
The Interior Department is canceling a rule that put conservation on equal footing with development, as President …
The Latest: Michigan executive order restores water service
The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with…
US agency includes gun sellers as 'critical' infrastructure
WASHINGTON (AP) — A gun rights group is cheering the Trump administration's designation of the firearms industry, including retailers, as part of the nation's critical infrastructure during the coronavirus emergenc…
Trump: No quarantine, but travel advisory for NY, CT and NJ
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump backed away from calling for a quarantine for coronavirus hotspots in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, instead …
Joseph Lowery, civil rights leader and MLK aide, dies at 98
ATLANTA (AP) — The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery fought to end segregation, lived to see the election of the country’s first black president and echoed the call for “j…
California virus death toll surpasses 100; infections surge
With cases of coronavirus surging and the death toll surpassing 100, lawmakers are pleading with cooped-up Californians to spend a second weekend at home to sl…
Texts, not door-knocks: Census outreach shifts amid virus
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — In tiny Munfordville, Kentucky, the closure of the public library has cut people off from a computer used only for filling out census form…
S.C. cities defy state on restrictions as virus cases rise
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's governor is aiming to protect first responders during the new coronavirus outbreak, ordering that anyone calling 911 be …
As virus spreads, so does gloomy outlook for Georgia budget
ATLANTA (AP) — Deaths and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia continued to increase Saturday, even as lawmakers tried to grapple with what the pa…
Seattle Seahawks field to host military hospital amid virus
SEATTLE (AP) — A military field hospital for people with medical issues that are not related to the coronavirus outbreak is under construction at CenturyLink F…
South Dakota Sen. John Thune tests negative for COVID-19
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — U.S. Sen. John Thune tested negative for COVID-19, his spokesman said Saturday.
Alabama virus cases rise as governor's shutdown order begins
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The number of COVID-19 infections in Alabama rose to 702 on Saturday from 638 a day earlier, with the virus spreading to 54 of the stat…
Clark County suspends business licenses for defying shutdown
LAS VEGAS (AP) — More than a dozen unincorporated Clark County businesses have had their business licenses suspended for remaining open during a government-ordered shutdown in Nevada as a result of the coronavirus …
Florida to set up more checkpoints to quarantine travelers
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida is working to set up more highway checkpoints to deter travelers mostly from New York from arriving in the state, and furth…
Alaska residents to use tax credits to increase air quality
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Local governments in Alaska will be able to create and utilize property tax credits to increase energy efficiency and air quality under a bill passed by the Legislature.
Nursing home has many patients with virus symptoms; 1 dead
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee nursing home has moved 24 patients to a local hospital after some tested positive for COVID-19, and the hospital said Satur…