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…
Trump administration urged to free migrants as virus surges
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressure was mounting on the Trump administration Wednesday to release people from immigration detention facilities where at least one detain…
Health officials: SC COVID-19 cases may reach 8,000 by May
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Two Republicans in the South Carolina House have joined a growing call for Gov. Henry McMaster to issue a stay at home order to fight the…
Walz orders Minnesota to stay home 2 weeks to slow COVID-19
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday ordered Minnesota residents to stay at home for two weeks except for essential needs in an effort to slow the spr…
Family of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson says US officials have concluded he has died in custody of Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — Family of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson says US officials have concluded he has died in custody of Iran.
Court: UK shouldn't give US evidence on pair of IS militants
WASHINGTON (AP) — A court on Wednesday barred the British government from providing U.S. prosecutors with evidence against two Islamic State militants suspected in the beheadings of Western hostages, citing the pro…
Tennessee gov hopes no 'elective' abortions with virus order
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's "hope and expectation" is that there will be no "elective" abortions performed in the state under an executiv…
Lawmakers approve bill addressing coronavirus Ohio impact
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Mandatory state testing for schools would be ditched this year and Ohioans who didn't vote in the March 17 primary would have until April…
Trump's Easter goal in war on virus a nod to faith, business
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s “beautiful” idea to reopen the U.S. economy by Easter Sunday and pack church pews that day was dreamed up during a c…
Pennsylvania lawmakers vote to delay primary election
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers voted Wednesday to delay the state's primary election by five weeks to June 2, potentially past the spike of the state's spreading coronavirus cases.
City's lawsuit seeks to delay Wisconsin's April 7 election
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Local officials' frustration with Gov. Tony Evers' refusal to order any changes to Wisconsin's presidential primary to protect people from the coronavirus reached new heights as the city of Gre…
Pennsylvania lawmakers delay primary to June 2 over COVID-19 outbreak
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers delay primary to June 2 over COVID-19 outbreak.
Wyoming lawmakers debate special education funding
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A bill that would have lifted a cap on special education funding in Wyoming has failed to pass the Senate before the end of the legislative session.
Nevada bracing for budget hit with virus hurting tourism
LAS VEGAS (AP) — With Nevada's world-famous nightlife and gambling at a near standstill to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, state leaders are bracing for a serious hit to the state budget just as demand for …
Primary purgatory with no 12th Democratic debate on horizon
ATLANTA (AP) — There is no 12th Democratic presidential debate on the horizon now that the nominating process is in a holding pattern because of the coronaviru…
Rural America watches pandemic erupt in cities as fear grows
DUFUR, Ore. (AP) — The social distancing rules repeated like a mantra in America's urban centers, where the coronavirus is spreading exponentially, might seem …