Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Sheriff’s race Q&A part 2: candidates confront criticism
EPHRATA — As the race for Grant County sheriff heads toward the Nov. 3 general election, candidates Joey Kriete an…
Justice Dept. sues Texas over state's new abortion law
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Justice Department on Thursday sued Texas over a new state law that bans most abortions, arguing that it was enacted “in open defiance of the Constitution."
Evacuees plead for action: 'We are in some kind of jail'
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Americans trying to evacuate hundreds of Afghans and American citizens — including one Afghan who worked as a U.S. military translator and says he is anticipating his beheading by the Taliban …
China chases 'rejuvenation' with control of tycoons, society
BEIJING (AP) — An avalanche of changes launched by China’s ruling Communist Party has jolted everyone from tech billionaires to school kids. Behind them: President Xi Jinping’s vision of making a more powerful, pro…
Ground zero rebuilding still unfinished, 20 years later
NEW YORK (AP) — Two decades after its destruction in the Sept. 11 attacks, the work to rebuild the World Trade Center complex remains incomplete.
N. Korea, slimmed down Kim Jong Un, enjoy toned-down parade
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Military search dogs and goose-stepping trainers. Health workers wearing gas masks and red hazmat suits. And a slimmed down, beaming Kim Jong Un in a cream-colored business suit. The parad…
Fighting Texas abortion law could be tough for federal gov't
WASHINGTON (AP) — Foes of the new Texas law that bans most abortions have been looking to the Democratic-run federal government to swoop in and knock down the most restrictive abortion law in effect in the country.…
Judge extends block of Western Michigan vaccine mandate
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday extended
Biden calls Xi as US-China relationship grows more fraught
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden spoke with China's Xi Jinping on Thursday amid growing frustration on the American side that high-level engagement between the two leaders' top advisers has been largely unfrui…
Analysis: Biden's war on virus becomes war on unvaccinated
WASHINGTON (AP) — They’re a source of frustration. A risk to their fellow citizens. A threat to the nation’s economic recovery.
Ethel Kennedy: RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan shouldn't be freed
BOSTON (AP) — Ethel Kennedy, the wife of the late Robert F. Kennedy, says assassin Sirhan Sirhan should not be released from prison, further roiling a family divide over
WHO chief urges halt to booster shots for rest of the year
GENEVA (AP) — Rich countries with large supplies of coronavirus vaccines should refrain from offering booster shots through the end of the year and make the doses available for poorer countries, the head of the Wor…
Sweeping new vaccine mandates for 100 million Americans
WASHINGTON (AP) — In his most forceful pandemic actions and words, President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered sweeping new federal vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans — private-sector employees a…
In COVID-slammed Idaho, schools risk buckling hospitals
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — When Idaho public health officials announced this week that northern hospitals were so crowded with coronavirus patients that they would be allowed to ration health care, roughly 11,000 kids in …
Idaho patients in hospital halls amid COVID rationed care
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Amid the Idaho coronavirus surge that prompted officials to authorize hospitals to ration health care, Army soldiers sent to one hospital have traded their fatigues for personal protective equip…
California recall brings Harris home to support Gov. Newsom
SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris returned to her home state of California on Wednesday to rally voters against the recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose campaign expressed growing confidence the…