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…
Parliamentarian: COVID-19 bill must lose minimum wage hike
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate parliamentarian has dealt a potentially lethal blow to Democrats’ drive to hike the minimum wage, deciding that the cherished progressive goal must fall from a massive COVID-19 relief b…
White House seems averse to Senate minimum wage power play
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House seemed reluctant Thursday to pursue a Senate procedural power play to preserve Democrats' bid to hike the minimum wage, as lawmakers awaited a decision by the chamber's parliamenta…
Boeing will pay $6.6 million to settle FAA allegations
Federal regulators have imposed $5.4 million in civil penalties against Boeing for violating terms of a $12 million settlement in 2015, and the aircraft maker has agreed to pay another $1.21 million to settle two c…
The Latest: US loosens Pfizer vaccine shipping regulations
NEW YORK — U.S. regulators are allowing Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to be shipped and stored at less-frigid temperatures, which should ease distribution and administration of one of the two vaccines authorized for em…
The Latest: Czech government to tighten lockdown amid surge
PRAGUE — The Czech government is planning to tighten the country’s lockdown amid a surge of a highly contagious coronavirus variant.
Chief: Police heeded Capitol attack warnings but overwhelmed
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers pressed the acting U.S. Capitol Police chief Thursday to explain why the force wasn't prepared to fend off a violent mob of insurrectionists even though officials had compiled specific, …
Biden marks 50M vaccine doses in first 5 weeks in office
WASHINGTON (AP) — Days after marking a solemn milestone in the pandemic, President Joe Biden is celebrating the pace of his efforts to end it.
Oregon Senate hit by another GOP boycott, now over COVID-19
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Republicans in the Oregon Senate boycotted Thursday's session, using a tactic they have employed in the past two years to assert their will by stopping work in the Democratic-led Legislature — th…
House votes to expand legal safeguards for LGBTQ people
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-led House passed a bill Thursday that would enshrine LGBTQ protections in the nation's labor and civil rights laws, a top priority of President Joe Biden, though the legislation fac…
Defense head Austin weighs warship needs in Pacific, Mideast
ABOARD THE USS NIMITZ (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told sailors on the USS Nimitz Thursday that he hopes to avoid long ship deployments like the more than 10 months they just spent at sea. But as he made h…
Washington state justices strike down drug possession law
SEATTLE (AP) — In a decision with implications for tens of thousands of cases dating back decades, the Washington Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the state’s felony drug possession law because — unlike the la…
Things to Know: US Hospitalizations plunge, but still high
Here’s what’s happening Thursday with the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.:
Ties with Saudis at stake as US releases findings on killing
The United States has pledged to tell the world its conclusions on what role Saudi Arabia's crown prince played in the brutal killing and dismembering of a U.S.-based journalist, but as important is what comes next…
The Latest: Europe agency give guidance to tweak vaccines
BERLIN — The European Medicines Agency has issued guidance to pharmaceutical companies on how to tweak already authorized coronavirus vaccines so they can be used to immunize against new variants.
The Latest: British health officials want lower alert level
LONDON — Health officials in Britain say the country’s COVID-19 alert level should move down from the highest level because hospitalizations have decreased.