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…
Senate approves open carry ban at Capitol, permitted rallies
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Openly carrying guns and other weapons on the Capitol campus and at or near permitted public demonstrations across Washington would be prohibited under a measure approved by the state Senate T…
Rep. Herrera Beutler censured over Trump impeachment vote
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — Members of Washington's Clark County Republican party voted this week to formally censure Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, of Battle Ground, over her vote to impeach former President Donald Trump.
The Latest: Governor extends Oregon's state of emergency
SALEM, Ore. - Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday extended Oregon’s declaration of a state of emergency until May 2 as confirmed COVID-19 cases drop but hundreds of new cases continue to be reported daily.
Bill on foster, child care licensing passes
Two local legislators shared discontent with a bill in Olympia regarding the licensing responsibilities of the state Department of Children, Youth and Families…
US bombs facilities in Syria used by Iran-backed militia
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a r…
Conservative gathering to feature Trump's false fraud claims
WASHINGTON (AP) — A gathering of conservatives this weekend in Florida will serve as an unabashed endorsement of former President Donald Trump's desire to remain the leader of the Republican Party — and as a forum …
The Latest: Brazils signs vaccine deal with Indian company
SAO PAULO — On the same day Brazil reached the grim milestone of 250,000 deaths by COVID-19, the country’s health ministry signed a deal with Indian pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech for the purchase of 20 mill…
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…