Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Fifth Congressional District candidates discuss their qualifications
SPOKANE — Six of the 12 candidates running for the Fifth Congressional District seat detailed some of their qualif…
Bettors win, tax coffers lose in Virginia sportsbooks' debut
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Sportsbooks actually lost money in Virginia in their January debut taking wagers on athletic events thanks to the aggressive promotions offered to court customers. As a result, the state collec…
Wisconsin bills seek to ban transgender athletes
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Transgender athletes would be banned from participating in girls' and women's sports in Wisconsin from kindergarten through college under bills introduced Tuesday by Republican lawmakers, propo…
FBI chief calls Jan. 6 'domestic terrorism,' defends intel
WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Chris Wray condemned the January riot at the U.S. Capitol as “domestic terrorism” Tuesday as he defended the bureau’s handling of intelligence indicating the prospect for violence. He…
The Latest: Vatican defends pope's Iraq trip, stadium mass
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican is defending Pope Francis’ decision to go ahead with his trip to Iraq this weekend despite rising coronavirus infections there and concerns about crowds wanting to see him.
Vernon Jordan, activist, former Clinton adviser, dies at 85
ATLANTA (AP) — Vernon Jordan, who rose from humble beginnings in the segregated South to become a champion of civil rights before reinventing himself as a Washington insider and corporate influencer, has died at th…
US sets sanctions over Russia opposition leader's poisoning
The Biden administration sanctioned seven mid- and senior-level Russian officials on Tuesday, along with more than a dozen businesses and other entities, over
The Latest: AP source: Merck to help produce J&J vaccine
WASHINGTON — A Biden administration official says drugmaker Merck will help produce rival Johnson & Johnson’s newly-approved coronavirus vaccine.
Official: Merck to help produce rival J&J's COVID-19 vaccine
WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker Merck & Co. will help produce rival Johnson & Johnson’s newly approved coronavirus vaccine in an effort to expand supply more quickly, the White House said Tuesday.
Polish court acquits activists who put LGBT rainbow on icon
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A Polish court on Tuesday acquitted three activists who had been accused of desecration and offending religious feelings for producing and distributing images of a revered Roman Catholic icon …
The Latest: India vaccine drive expands to those over age 60
NEW DELHI — An estimated 10 million people in India have registered to get vaccinated since the country expanded its vaccination drive beyond health care and frontline workers on Monday.
Alarm grows in Serbia over virus surge; lockdown urged
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian health experts urged the government on Tuesday to introduce a state of emergency and a strict lockdown to halt a surge in coronavirus infections that they say threaten the Balkan nat…
The Latest: Pakistan extends flight bans on U.K., S. Africa
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s civil aviation authority is extending restrictions on travel from the U.K., South Africa and some other countries until March 14 to avoid the spread of more contagious new coronavirus variant…
Myanmar police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at protesters
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Police in Myanmar repeatedly used tear gas and rubber bullets Tuesday against crowds protesting last month's coup, but the demonstrators regrouped after each volley and tried to defend themse…
FBI chief to face questions about extremism, Capitol riot
WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Chris Wray is set to testify for the first time since
Dutch PM's popularity high but eroding as election looms
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — After more than a decade in power and a year spent battling the virus, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's popularity — boosted by his handling of the pandemic — remains high two weeks b…