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 …
Pence walks fine line on coronavirus response
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence decided silence was the way to go.
Trump names Rep. Mark Meadows his new chief of staff
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the midst of one of the most daunting crises of his administration, President Donald Trump on Friday announced he had made a major staff o…
Utah lawmakers pass new rules affecting abortion providers
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Abortion clinics would be required to cremate or bury fetal remains and women would have to get an ultrasound before the procedure under …
Michigan insurers cover virus tests; Medicaid copays waived
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan health insurers said Friday they will cover the cost of medically necessary tests for the new coronavirus for people covered under employer and individual health plans, while Gov. Gre…
New qualifications for next debate likely rule out Gabbard
The Democratic National Committee has ratcheted up the threshold to qualify for its next presidential debate, requiring candidates to have picked up at least 2…
Biden invokes Obama, swipes at Sanders with six-state ad buy
ATLANTA (AP) — Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is plowing $12 million into a six-state ad buy ahead of the March 10 and March 17 primaries, his largest singl…
Trump to honor retired pro golfers with Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is honoring a pair of retired pro golfers with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor the president can …
WSJ: Saudis arrest 2 princes for allegedly plotting coup
NEW YORK (AP) — Saudi officials arrested two members of the royal family early Friday for allegedly plotting to oust King Salman and the son he has designated …
Judge sides with transgender Alaska librarian in health case
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska health care plan that has excluded coverage of gender-confirming surgery for transgender employees is discriminatory, a federal judge ruled Friday.
Virus cases top 100,000 in 90 countries as markets take dive
PARIS (AP) — Crossing more borders, the new coronavirus hit a milestone, infecting more than 100,000 people worldwide as it wove itself deeper into the daily l…
Watchdog faults US land agency sending jobs out West
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A U.S. government watchdog agency said Friday that 81 Bureau of Land Management employees have declined to relocate to Western states or left their positions as the Trump administration pursu…
Trump names Rep. Mark Meadows his chief of staff, replacing Mick Mulvaney, who had been acting in the role
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump names Rep. Mark Meadows his chief of staff, replacing Mick Mulvaney, who had been acting in the role.
Trump's CDC visit turns into scattershot defense on virus
ATLANTA (AP) — President Donald Trump's visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday turned into a scattershot defense of his administrati…
Two attendees at pro-Israel conference positive for virus
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two people who attended the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in Washington earlier this week have tested positive for the …
One more victory: Biden wins most Super Tuesday delegates
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Vice President Joe Biden has put an exclamation point on his Super Tuesday victories by winning the most delegates on the presidential…