Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Sheriff candidates discuss state of Grant County Sheriff's Office
EPHRATA — Three candidates are vying for the position of Grant County Sheriff in the primary election: incumbent J…
The Latest: India vaccinates 2 million health workers
NEW DELHI — India has vaccinated 2 million health workers in less than two weeks and recorded 12,689 new coronavirus positive cases in the past 24 hours, a sharp decline from a peak level of nearly 100,000 in mid-S…
Kerry aims to talk US back into a lead role in climate fight
From a wood-paneled library in his Boston mansion, new climate envoy John Kerry is talking the U.S. back into a leading role in global climate action, making clear the nation isn't just revving up its own efforts t…
Italian premier resigns, setting off scramble for new allies
ROME (AP) — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte resigned Tuesday after a key coalition ally pulled his party’s support over Conte’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, setting the stage for consultations this week to …
California: Criminal rings loot billions in jobless funds
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sophisticated hackers, identity thieves and overseas criminal rings stole over $11 billion in unemployment benefits from California last year, but the extent of the fraud might grow far larger: b…
Dutch police deployed in force to curb rioting, looting
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Police took to the streets of Dutch towns and cities in force Tuesday night in an attempt to prevent violent rioting that shook the country for three successive nights after a nationwi…
GOP leaders demand Newhouse resign over impeachment vote
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Most of the Republican county leaders in U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse's congressional district on Monday called for the lawmaker to resign for being one of 10 GOP members of the House to vote for th…
COVID-19 variant brings new dimension to Europe's pandemic
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — In the first week of December, Portugal’s prime minister gave his pandemic-weary people an early Christmas gift: restrictions on gatherings and travel due to COVID-19 would be lifted from De…
Minnesota lawmakers to reintroduce sports betting bill
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two lawmakers announced plans Tuesday to introduce legislation that would put Minnesota among 25 other states and Washington, D.C., in legalizing sports betting, hoping to change their luck after…
GOP Ohio Sen. Portman not seeking reelection, cites gridlock
CINCINNATI (AP) — Ohio Sen. Rob Portman said Monday that he won’t seek reelection to a third term in 2022, expressing dismay with the deep partisanship and dysfunction in American politics.
AP sources: Biden to pause oil and gas sales on public lands
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to announce a wide-ranging moratorium on new oil and gas leasing on U.S. lands and waters, as his administration moves quickly to reverse Trump administration policies o…
Washington considers open carry ban at demonstrations
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The open carry of guns and other weapons would be banned on the Capitol campus and at or near any public demonstration across Washington under a measure that received a remote public hearing T…
US boosting vaccine deliveries amid complaints of shortages
Answering growing frustration over vaccine shortages, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. is ramping up deliveries to hard-pressed states over the next three weeks and expects to provide enough doses to vac…
Biden orders Justice Dept. to end use of private prisons
President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered the Department of Justice to end its reliance on private prisons and acknowledge the central role government has played in implementing discriminatory housing policies.
Janet Yellen wins Senate approval as treasury secretary
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Monday approved President Joe Biden’s nomination of Janet Yellen to be the nation’s 78th treasury secretary, making her the first woman to hold the job in the department's 232-year h…
Biden orders COVID-19 travel restrictions, adds South Africa
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday reinstated COVID-19 travel restrictions on most non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, Ireland, the United Kingdom and 26 other European countries that allow travel across o…