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…
Correction: Virus Outbreak-Nevada story
LAS VEGAS (AP) — In a story March 24, 2020, about coronavirus in Nevada, The Associated Press erroneously reported that Gov. Steve Sisolak signed an emergency …
Idaho governor signs bill setting minimum marriage age at 16
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law legislation setting 16 as the minimum age for a person to get married.
Raises for Virginia teachers, state employees in peril
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers passed a budget earlier this month that would give teachers and state employees raises and bonuses — a win for public s…
Indiana officials considering only mail-in vote for primary
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana election officials have started contemplating whether voters might need to cast all ballots by mail for the state’s primary election because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Intel chief: German extremists disbanding is 'smoke screen'
BERLIN (AP) — The head of one of Germany's state security agencies has accused an extremist faction within the country's main far-right party of trying to create a “smoke screen” by announcing it will disband.
Detroit City Council leader to challenge US Rep. Tlaib
DETROIT (AP) — Brenda Jones, president of the Detroit City Council, said she's challenging U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib in the Democratic primary election.
Ohio OKs 2,000 child care sites, revises medical pot rules
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — About 2,000 child care centers have been approved so far under a special “pandemic” license, while lawmakers are rushing to pass legislat…
Some US leaders take 'do as I say, not as I do' virus stance
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department has advised against all international travel because of the coronavirus, but that didn't stop Secretary of State Mike Po…
US Sen. Cramer apologizes for offensive term about Pelosi
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer apologized Wednesday for a late-night tweet in which he used an offensive term to describe House Speaker N…
Agency drafts conservation plan to protect Hawaii seabirds
LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized the first draft of a plan to protect threatened and endangered bird species on Kauai.
Alaska US census response trails the rest of the nation
BETHEL, Alaska (AP) — Alaska's response rate to the ongoing U.S. census count is half that of the national average, officials said.
Secretary of state to determine validity of signatures
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The secretary of state's office must address whether some of the petitions used to get the proposed $1 billion New England Clean Energy Connect onto the November ballot were invalid.
Coronavirus briefings are the new campaign rallies for Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has a new daily ritual now that the pandemic has put the kibosh on the signature campaign rallies that helped him get …
Trump, Congress agree on $2 trillion virus rescue bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House and Senate leaders of both parties announced agreement early Wednesday on unprecedented emergency legislation to rush sweepin…
Congressional leaders, White House reach deal on massive coronavirus relief package
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders, White House reach deal on massive coronavirus relief package.