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…
Virus testing is a 'failing,' leaving cases uncounted
NEW YORK (AP) — Seven weeks have passed since the first U.S. case of coronavirus was announced, and the government is failing to account for what could be thou…
Brazilian who met Trump has virus; no plans to test Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior Brazilian official who attended weekend events with President Donald Trump in Florida has tested positive for the coronavirus, marki…
Legislative leaders plan on business as usual at Capitol
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republican legislative leaders said Thursday they are not planning to curtail the legislative session as concerns over the spread of the coronavirus intensify.
SC senator wants to charge $140 million to take TVA coal ash
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Less than a week after the Tennessee Valley Authority said it was looking at out-of-state sites to move millions of tons of coal ash, a S…
Nebraska advances new budget with virus fears in mind
LINCOLN, NEB. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers gave initial approval Thursday to a $9.4 billion, two-year state budget that shovels millions of extra dollars into the state’s rainy-day fund amid fears about the global pan…
Idaho lawmakers eye fast exit if coronavirus hits Statehouse
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. Brad Little and leaders in the Idaho House and Senate said Thursday they've made contingency plans for a hasty end to the legislative session should someone in the Statehouse get the new co…
Officials: US airstrikes underway against Iran-backed militia group that hit Iraq base
WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials: US airstrikes underway against Iran-backed militia group that hit Iraq base.
AP sources: Biden requests protection from Secret Service
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden has formally requested protection from the U.S. Secret Service, according to two people famili…
Stitt names Oklahoma Human Services director to cabinet
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday appointed state Department of Human Services Director Justin Brown to his cabinet as secretary of Human Servi…
Amid recount dramas, Florida hopes for election night relief
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — In a state where vote tallying frequently goes deep into the night, or sometimes extends over many days, Florida officials have long s…
Montana candidate drops out of House race, 9 others remain
CORVALLIS, Mont. (AP) — Corvallis Superintendent Tim Johnson has removed his name from the race for the Montana seat in the U.S. House of Representatives citing financial reasons for the decision.
Virus threat: West Virginia basketball tournaments suspended
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Thursday suspended state high school basketball tournaments due to concerns over the new coronavirus…
Review criticizes Colorado police in drunk officer case
DENVER (AP) — A Colorado police department made errors in handling the case of an officer caught driving drunk while on duty, a special investigator said.
Noem signs ban on faculty union into law
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem on Thursday signed a law that will ban faculty unions at state universities starting in July.
EU condemns Trump travel ban from Europe as virus spreads
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders on Thursday lashed out at President Donald Trump’s decision to restrict travel from Europe to the United States because …