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.
Neill, Bankhead court rural voters in Senate primary
For two of the front-running Montana Democrats in this year’s U.S. Senate race, part of the strategy has been to c…
The Latest: US officials working on $2 trillion rescue deal
The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 381,000 people and killed over 16,500. The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate sympto…
Idaho Board of Education orders schools closed statewide
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho State Board of Education has ordered schools statewide to close until at least April 20 in hopes of slowing the spread of the cor…
Alaska mandates self-quarantine for anyone flying to Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Anyone flying to Alaska from another state or nation will have to self-quarantine for 14 days immediately after arriving, state officials said Monday as they announced four new cases of the…
House considers voting options as members fall ill
WASHINGTON (AP) — With at least two members of the House testing positive for coronavirus, Democrats are recommending that they pass a nearly $2 trillion econo…
Washington governor issues two-week stay-at-home order
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday ordered nonessential businesses to close and the state’s more than 7 million residents to stay home …
Governor says Arkansas faces $353M shortfall due to virus
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas faces a $353 million budget shortfall because of the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said…
Georgia governor orders bars, clubs closed amid coronavirus
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's governor said Monday that he was ordering all bars and nightclubs in the state to close because of the coronavirus and giving state of…
California governor cautious on earlier release of inmates
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday ruled out releasing violent inmates in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but left the door…
Hawaii governor issues stay-at-home order to slow virus
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Monday ordered people across the state to stay at home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, unless they work in s…
Networks face decision: How long to stick with Trump?
NEW YORK (AP) — Six television networks began showing President Donald Trump's briefing on the coronavirus outbreak late Monday, but only Fox News Channel stuc…
Alaska Senate puts $1,000 stimulus payment in budget bill
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Senate approved a budget provision Monday that would give residents a $1,000 payment as a way to blunt economic impacts from t…
Tennessee cities, counties broaden closures amid coronavirus
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — More cities and counties in Tennessee on Monday issued strict orders for nonessential businesses to shut down temporarily and people to stay at home as much as possible to curb the spread of…
Fauci says he can't stop Trump from talking at briefings
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci says he can't jump in front of the microphone to stop President Donald Trump from speaking at daily White House briefings o…
Texas moves to ban most abortions due to virus outbreak
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The governor and attorney general of Texas are moving to ban most abortions in the state during the coronavirus outbreak, declaring they d…
Utah school closure extended during coronavirus outbreak
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Classes at Utah schools will remain dismissed at least through May 1, Gov. Gary Herbert said Monday as the number of diagnosed cases of t…