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 to vote on federal grant for pedestrian safety upgrades
Kalispell City Council is expected to vote Monday on whether to pursue a federal grant to improve pedestrian safet…
Kansas lawmakers OK coronavirus responses, work on spending
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators wrapped up work Tuesday on three measures responding to the coronavirus pandemic and tried to resolve differences over t…
Beshear suggests options for lawmakers amid virus outbreak
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear suggested two options Tuesday for Kentucky lawmakers amid the coronavirus outbreak — pass a budget and go home, or leave now and wait for him to convene a special session.
All 50 states now have virus cases: West Virginia the last
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — All 50 U.S. states now have confirmed cases of the new coronavirus as West Virginia's governor announced the first positive test in hi…
Phoenix, Tucson order closures of bars, restaurants
PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix and Tucson joined Flagstaff on Tuesday in ordering bars, gyms and other indoor facilities to close immediately and restaurants to offer …
Walz signs farm and disaster aid; expansion of Highway 14
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz signed three bills important to rural Minnesota on Tuesday, in addition to a $200 million package to help the state's health care system combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump moves to blunt coronavirus' heavy impact on US economy
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ahead of an expected surge in coronavirus cases, President Donald Trump on Tuesday moved to blunt the impact of the pandemic on a U.S. econom…
Legislature approves open meeting changes amid outbreak
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Legislature approved sweeping changes to the state's Open Meeting Act on Tuesday to allow government bodies to meet via telec…
Some Idaho lawmakers opting out amid coronavirus fears
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Two Idaho lawmakers are getting out of the Statehouse due to fears from the new coronavirus, and others said Tuesday that their decision to…
Barr tells AP FBI probing cyber incident on federal network
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr vowed in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday that there would be swift and severe action if a for…
Kemp signs amended Georgia budget, $100 million for virus
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday signed into law a midyear amended budget that includes $100 million in emergency funding to combat the new co…
Esper: Pentagon to give respirator masks, ventilators to HHS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday that the Pentagon will provide civilian health authorities with 5 million respirator masks and 2,00…
Military faces limitations in responding to virus outbreak
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is already helping combat the coronavirus outbreak in the United States and is considering ways to do more.
Suspicious vehicle near US Embassy in Belgium a false alarm
BRUSSELS (AP) — Brussels police investigated a vehicle near the U.S. Embassy in Belgium that drew suspicion and a bomb squad during a brief security alert Tuesday that ended up being called a false alarm.
Colorado man and insurer pay $500K over 2017 wildfire
DENVER (AP) — A Colorado man and his insurance company paid $500,000 to the U.S. government over a wildfire that burned federal land in the state.
Mall of America closing as Minnesota fights against COVID-19
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The largest retail and entertainment center in the U.S. said it would temporarily shut down Tuesday in support of Minnesota's efforts to com…