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…
Coronavirus suddenly upends campaign themes for both parties
WASHINGTON (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic and the nation's crashing economy are scrambling the themes both major political parties thought would carry them to…
US shames Afghan leaders' obstinance as pandemic looms
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Washington's unprecedented threat to cut $1 billion in Afghanistan funding — a response to the refusal of rivals in Kabul to work tog…
At a glance: Nearly $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package
A snapshot of the emerging rescue package in Congress to provide health care and economic aid amid the coronavirus outbreak and national shutdown. The details …
Negotiators close on a nearly $2 trillion virus aid package
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top congressional and White House officials emerged from grueling negotiations at the Capitol over the nearly $2 trillion coronavirus rescue …
Arizona death prompts warning against self-medication
PHOENIX (AP) — A Phoenix-area man has died and his wife was in critical condition after the couple took chloroquine phosphate, an additive used to clean fish t…
Virus takes toll on Nevada newspapers, online visits soar
RENO, Nev. (AP) — The virus outbreak is taking its toll on media in Nevada, with closures of rural weekly and alternative urban weekly publications and curtailment of sections published in the state's largest metro…
The Latest: US officials working on $2 trillion rescue deal
The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 381,000 people and killed over 16,500. The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate sympto…
Idaho Board of Education orders schools closed statewide
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho State Board of Education has ordered schools statewide to close until at least April 20 in hopes of slowing the spread of the cor…
Alaska mandates self-quarantine for anyone flying to Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Anyone flying to Alaska from another state or nation will have to self-quarantine for 14 days immediately after arriving, state officials said Monday as they announced four new cases of the…
House considers voting options as members fall ill
WASHINGTON (AP) — With at least two members of the House testing positive for coronavirus, Democrats are recommending that they pass a nearly $2 trillion econo…
Washington governor issues two-week stay-at-home order
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday ordered nonessential businesses to close and the state’s more than 7 million residents to stay home …
Governor says Arkansas faces $353M shortfall due to virus
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas faces a $353 million budget shortfall because of the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said…
Georgia governor orders bars, clubs closed amid coronavirus
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's governor said Monday that he was ordering all bars and nightclubs in the state to close because of the coronavirus and giving state of…
California governor cautious on earlier release of inmates
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday ruled out releasing violent inmates in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but left the door…
Hawaii governor issues stay-at-home order to slow virus
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Monday ordered people across the state to stay at home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, unless they work in s…