Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Adams County ballot features competitive federal, state and local races
RITZVILLE — Filing week has closed in Adams County, and voters will see a crowded and competitive ballot in the 20…
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…
Representatives pass school-based health programs bill
House Bill 1225, which passed in a 60-36 vote Friday during the virtual floor debate, would require the state Department of Health to establish a school-based health program office within the department.
‘This is bad policy’: Low-carbon fuel bill in Olympia would raise cost of gas, diesel
House Bill 1091 passed in a 52-46 vote after five hours of debate.
US is 'gravely concerned' by reports of abuses in Ethiopia
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The United States is “gravely concerned by reported atrocities and the overall deteriorating situation” in Ethiopia's Tigray region, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the toughest s…
Republicans test history in vote against pandemic relief
NEW YORK (AP) — With the nation's financial system on the brink of collapse, all but three Republicans voted against the massive stimulus package designed to protect millions of Americans from financial ruin.
Minimum wage hike all but dead in big COVID relief bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats' hopes of including a minimum wage increase in their $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill seemed all but dead Monday as the Senate prepared to debate its own version of the House-passed ai…
Senate confirms Cardona as Biden's education secretary
The Senate voted Monday to confirm Miguel Cardona as education secretary, clearing his way to lead President Joe Biden’s effort to reopen the nation’s schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Some GOP state lawmakers help spread COVID-19 misinformation
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Many Republican lawmakers have criticized governors’ emergency restrictions since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. Now that most legislatures are back in session, a new type of pushback …