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 City Council to consider ways to notify residents of future development
Kalispell City Council is expected to update the municipality’s public participation process for future developmen…
Birx tells grandmother's story in social distancing plea
Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, took a personal tact on Wednesday as she made her latest plea to the American publ…
California governor: 5 big banks suspend mortgage payments
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Five of the nation's largest banks have agreed to temporarily suspend residential mortgage payments for people affected by the corona…
Colorado governor issues statewide stay-at-home-order
DENVER (AP) — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Wednesday he is issuing a statewide stay-at-home order in an attempt to stem the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
Florida governor's coronavirus dilemma: health vs. economy
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been walking a tightrope for weeks during the coronavirus crisis, trying to protect both residents vu…
G-7 foreign ministers spar over coronavirus amid pandemic
WASHINGTON (AP) — Foreign ministers from the Group of 7 leading industrialized democracies sparred Wednesday over whether to call out China as the source of th…
Gov. Baker extends school closures through end of April
BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker is ordering schools and non-emergency child care programs in Massachusetts to remain closed through the end of April as the st…
Washington governor signs bill allowing sports betting
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A bill to allow sports gambling in Washington state, but only at tribal casinos, was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday.
Arizona mayors slam Ducey edict keeping golf courses open
PHOENIX (AP) — Municipal leaders criticized Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey Tuesday over his decision to classify some businesses like golf courses as “essential" duri…
Beshear reports 5th virus-related death in Kentucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear reported the fifth Kentucky death linked to coronavirus Wednesday as total statewide cases during the pandemic approach…
Arkansas to ban some indoor social gatherings due to virus
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas will soon ban indoor social gatherings with more than 10 people to combat a growing number of coronavirus cases in the state,…
Trump administration urged to free migrants as virus surges
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressure was mounting on the Trump administration Wednesday to release people from immigration detention facilities where at least one detain…
Health officials: SC COVID-19 cases may reach 8,000 by May
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Two Republicans in the South Carolina House have joined a growing call for Gov. Henry McMaster to issue a stay at home order to fight the…
Walz orders Minnesota to stay home 2 weeks to slow COVID-19
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday ordered Minnesota residents to stay at home for two weeks except for essential needs in an effort to slow the spr…
Family of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson says US officials have concluded he has died in custody of Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — Family of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson says US officials have concluded he has died in custody of Iran.
Court: UK shouldn't give US evidence on pair of IS militants
WASHINGTON (AP) — A court on Wednesday barred the British government from providing U.S. prosecutors with evidence against two Islamic State militants suspected in the beheadings of Western hostages, citing the pro…