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 moves forward on housing board, development standards along Parkline trail
City councilors narrowly agreed to move forward Monday on two housing-related initiatives championed by Kalispell …
Zinke deletes photo of his Trump socks after complaints
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has deleted a photo of himself wearing socks with President Donald Trump's face and the slogan "Make America Great Again" after m…
Supreme Court upholds Trump travel ban
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld President Donald Trump’s ban on travel from several mostly Muslim countries, rejecting a challenge that i…
Trump Jr. rallies Republicans to defeat Montana Sen. Tester
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Donald Trump Jr. urged Montana Republicans to rally against U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in the fall election and said Friday that the two-term …
High Court: Online shoppers can be forced to pay sales tax
WASHINGTON (AP) — States will be able to force shoppers to pay sales tax when they make online purchases under a Supreme Court decision Thursday that will leav…
Sen. Tester tackles issues in Whitefish
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester spoke Sunday morning at the Montana Broadcasters Association Conference at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, where he told people what voters should expect out of him if they re-elect him to another…
Dunn, Illi face off in HD9 primary
State Representative Randy Brodehl has reached his maximum number of terms representing House District 9, which covers Northeast Kalispell and Evergreen.
Garner, Welzel face off in HD 7 primary
Republicans in central Kalispell have to choose between two candidates for November’s general election.
Report: No clear evidence of wrongdoing in Interior worker shuffle
BILLINGS — Sixteen senior employees at the U.S. Department of Interior reassigned to new duties under the Trump administration viewed their moves as political …
Bullock travels to Iowa as he explores possible run
HELENA — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock wrapped up a two-day tour of Iowa on Friday to campaign for that state’s Democratic attorney general and test the waters fo…
Kalispell's Al Olszewski bills self as 'activist' senator
Dr. Al Olszewski sat down with the Daily Inter Lake editorial board Tuesday to discuss his campaign for U.S. Senate.
Ex-Dem chairman seeks Green Party qualification data
HELENA — A former Montana Democratic Party chairman appears to be laying the groundwork for a possible challenge to the secretary of state’s certification of the Green Party for the ballot in this year’s state elec…
Spending bill could shape Montana forestry
A $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill meant to fund the federal government through September will head for a vote this week, and it could have major implicatio…
GOP challengers to Tester meet in first US Senate debate
HELENA — Each of the four candidates seeking the Republican nomination for Montana’s U.S. Senate election this fall said Thursday that he has the best shot of …
Democratic activist charged with assaulting Zinke staffer
WASHINGTON (AP) — An operative for a political committee that supports Democrats has been charged with assault following a confrontation with a staffer for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke outside a congressional hear…
Flurry of candidates file for state elections
Monday was the last day to file for this year’s elections, and several Flathead-area candidates have put their names on the ballot.