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.
Counting machines add vote of confidence to elections security
The conference room of the Flathead County Elections Department whirred with noise. Volunteers rattled off strings…
Idaho governor OKs bill outlawing abortion if Roe reversed
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law legislation making abortion a crime in Idaho if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the Roe v. Wade decision that legalizing the procedure nationwide.
Federal prisons struggle to combat growing COVID-19 fears
WASHINGTON (AP) — When a federal correction officer geared up for duty recently at a Florida prison complex, he added an N95 mask amid coronavirus fears. He ha…
Roys announces bid to succeed Risser in Wisconsin Senate
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A former state representative who ran for both Congress and governor is now seeking to replace retiring state Sen. Fred Risser in the Wisconsin Senate.
Complaint: Georgia rep. does not live in place he represents
DECATUR, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia lawmaker does not live in the district he represents, a complaint filed in the state said.
North Carolina GOP convention pushed back to June by virus
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Republican Party's state convention is being delayed by three weeks due to the new coronavirus emergency.
Are gun shops 'essential' businesses during a pandemic?
In some parts of the U.S., authorities say gun shops aren't essential businesses and should close during stay-at-home orders meant to slow the coronavirus. In …
Whitmer: No golf, can returns; laundromats OK in shutdown
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday that golf courses and tobacco shops should close for three weeks to abide by her stay-at-hom…
Virus relief package could help Trump, Kushner businesses
WASHINGTON (AP) — The $2 trillion legislative package moving through Congress to shore up the U.S. economy devastated by the coronavirus was carefully written …
Trump says feds developing new guidelines for virus risk
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says that federal officials are developing guidelines to rate counties by risk of virus spread, as he aims to begin to…
A defiant Maduro threatens 'cowboy' Trump after drug charge
MIAMI (AP) — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stood defiant in the face of a $15 million bounty by the U.S. to face drug trafficking charges, calling Donald…
The Latest: Singapore penalizing social distancing violators
The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people …
Trump's push to open economy could come at cost of lives
WASHINGTON (AP) — The contrast could hardly be more stark. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York has said that if all of his sweeping, expensive measures to stem the c…
Flatter or fight? Governors seeking help must navigate Trump
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — At first, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker tried to play nice. He limited criticisms of the federal government's handling of the coronavir…
Citing virus, EPA has stopped enforcing environmental laws
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday abruptly waived enforcement on a range of legally mandated public health and environmental pr…
Travelers landing in Hawaii find tough quarantine rules
HONOLULU (AP) — Travelers landing in Hawaii Thursday found a new requirement that they hole up in hotel rooms or their homes for 14 days to fight the spread of…