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 …
Montana lawmakers push for reauthorizing Keystone XL
President Joe Biden canceled the long-disputed pipeline project in one of many executive orders on his first day in office, angering Republican lawmakers who h…
States on hook for billions under Trump’s unemployment plan
A plan from President Donald Trump to extend additional unemployment benefits requires states to provide 25 percent of the funds, and it's unclear whether stat…
Mass testing, empty ICUs: Germany scores early against virus
BERLIN (AP) — Late last year — long before most people had heard of the new coronavirus now sweeping the globe — scientists in Germany sprang into action to de…
Trump says 'life and death' at stake in following guidelines
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump warned Americans to brace for a “hell of a bad two weeks” ahead as the White House projected there could be 100,000 to…
Fake news or the truth? Russia cracks down on virus postings
MOSCOW (AP) — Two weeks ago, an opposition-leaning radio station in Russia interviewed political analyst Valery Solovei, who alleged the government was lying w…
Churchgoers flock to hear Louisiana pastor despite virus ban
CENTRAL, La. (AP) — Buses and cars filled a Louisiana church parking lot for another service Tuesday evening as worshippers flocked to hear a Louisiana pastor …
More than 50 infected with virus at California nursing home
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Southern California nursing home has been hit hard by the coronavirus, with more than 50 residents infected — a troubling development amid…
Census Day arrives with US almost paralyzed by coronavirus
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Census Day — the date used to reference where a person lives for the once-a-decade count — arrived Wednesday with a nation almost paralyze…
BP announces North Slope worker tests positive for COVID-19
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A worker on Alaska's North Slope tested positive for COVID-19, BP announced Tuesday.
Liberal groups start effort to target 'corporate' Democrats
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A coalition of liberal groups has begun a campaign to target critical moderate New Mexico Senate Democrats who have blocked some liberal proposals.
Early divisions as Congress weighs next help for economy
WASHINGTON (AP) — The bipartisan partnership that propelled a $2.2 trillion economic rescue package through Congress just days ago is already showing signs of …
Trump allies warn against feud with swing-state governor
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — President Donald Trump's allies are trying to contain a politically risky election-year fight with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as he s…
Republicans favor absentee ballots by request amid pandemic
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Republican Party is objecting to universal mail-in balloting procedures proposed by local election officials in response to the coronavirus pandemic as a substitute for in-perso…
Watchdog finds new problems with FBI wiretap applications
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department inspector general has found additional failures in the FBI's handling of a secretive surveillance program that came un…
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