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…
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…
The Latest: Elders leader tells UN council to protect rights
UNITED NATIONS — Former Irish president Mary Robinson, who heads the group of prominent former leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, called on China and Russia especially to tell the Taliban that participation of wome…
Planned ban over abortion law could cost Texas $7M a year
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The city of Portland, Oregon’s plan to boycott Texas goods and services over its new abortion law could cost Texas companies millions of dollars a year, officials said Tuesday.
The Latest: UN appeals for $606M to aid Afghans rest of year
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations is making an emergency appeal for $606 million to help nearly 11 million people in Afghanistan for the four remaining months of 2021. It says they face a humanitarian crisis exac…
The Latest: US says will judge Taliban gov't by its actions
WASHINGTON — The State Department says the U.S. is assessing the new Afghan government announced by the Taliban.
The Latest: N. Carolina has 170 clusters in schools, centers
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina health officials on Tuesday released a report showing 170 ongoing COVID-19 clusters in K-12 schools or child care settings.
Newsom's nightmare: How one November day fueled the recall
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — On a single day last November, two events helped set the course for just the second recall election against a governor in California history: Gov. Gavin Newsom dined with 11 friends and lo…
The Latest: Georgia district changes plans after 3 deaths
ATLANTA — Another Georgia school district is switching to virtual learning, after three school bus employees have died from COVID-19 in recent weeks.
In NYC after Ida, Biden calls climate 'everybody's crisis'
NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden declared climate change has become “everybody's crisis” on Tuesday as he toured neighborhoods flooded by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, warning it's time for America to get serio…
The Latest: Seattle fans must show proof of vaccine or test
SEATTLE — Fans attending most pro sporting events in Seattle will soon be required to show proof they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 or that they’ve tested negative for the virus.
Texas GOP bets on hard right turn amid changing demographics
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Republicans in America's largest conservative state for years racked up victories under the slogan “Keep Texas Red,” a pledge to quash a coming blue wave that Democrats argued was inevitable gi…
The Latest: Taliban announce all-male interim government
KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban announced an all-male interim government for Afghanistan that is stacked with veterans of their hard-line rule from the 1990s and the 20-year battle against the U.S.-led coalition.
Biden surveys NY and NJ storm damage, talks climate change
MANVILLE, N.J. (AP) — Pointing accusingly at climate change, President Joe Biden toured deadly Northeast flood damage Tuesday and said he was thinking about the families who suffered “profound” losses from the powe…
UN nuke watchdog: Iran pressing on with uranium enrichment
VIENNA (AP) — Iran has continued to increase its stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could be used to make nuclear weapons in contravention of a 2015 accord with world powers that was meant to contain Tehran'…
The Latest: UN wants aid workers free to reach needy Afghans
UNITED NATIONS — The U.N.’s humanitarian chief says a top Taliban leader pledged to let aid workers operate safely and independently and reach the millions of Afghans in need. Now, the U.N. is aiming to get the pro…