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 …
Reporter alleges attack by Gianforte
HELENA (AP) — A reporter said the Republican candidate for Montana’s sole congressional seat body-slammed him Wednesday, the day before the polls close in the …
Montana voters head to polls Thursday
Montana’s special election for its at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives takes place this Thursday, May 25. Polling places — and the Flathead County Election Office — will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Political newcomers share foreign policy views
[Editor’s note: This three-part series examines the policy differences between the three candidates on the May 25 special-election ballot to fill the vacancy i…
Bernie Sanders rallies voters to support Rob Quist
MISSOULA (AP) — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke about economic inequality and the failings of the country’s health care system Saturday as he sought to rally…
Trump fires FBI Director James Comey
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey Tuesday, saying it was necessary to restore “public trust and confidence” in t…
Pence to campaign for Gianforte in Montana
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence plans to travel to Montana next week to campaign for a Republican congressional candidate running in a special elec…
Trump wants a review of national monuments
WASHINGTON (AP) — Slamming what he called “a massive federal land grab,” President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday directing his interior secr…
School projects await infrastructure vote
HELENA — Nearly $2 million in state-funded upgrades to Kalispell’s public schools still hangs in the balance as negotiations over a major infrastructure initi…
House revives fees on electric cars, minus hybrid tax
HELENA — A proposal to assess fees on Montanans who drive electric cars, along with liquefied natural gas dealers, passed an initial House vote Wednesday after it was revived last week.
Bill would allow tribes to withdraw from prosecution agreement
HELENA — As likely its last action of the session, the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday reversed course on a bill it had tabled one day earlier, endorsing a measure to give the Confederated Salish and Kootenai …
Senate confirms Trump pick Neil Gorsuch to Supreme Court
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed Neil Gorsuch to become the newest associate justice on the Supreme Court Friday, elevating Donald Trump's nominee follow…
Senate GOP 'goes nuclear,' clearing way for Trump court pick
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans invoked the "nuclear option" in the Senate Thursday, unilaterally rewriting the chamber's rules to allow President Donald Trump's…
Montana House resurrects infrastructure bill to keep 'options open'
HELENA — The Montana House unexpectedly agreed Saturday to reconsider an infrastructure bill that had been killed the day before because of objections by fiscal conservatives over issuing $78 million in bonds.
Spearfishing proposal unpopular among some local anglers
Spearfishing could see a jump in popularity in Montana under a legislative proposal that has won the backing of the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Young lawmakers finding their way in Montana's Capitol
HELENA (AP) — When the Montana House debated whether to require parental consent before minors can bronze themselves in tanning beds, there was lots of talk about brain development and young people’s inability to m…