Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Gregg leads sheriff's race as thousands of ballots remain uncounted
EPHRATA — Challenger Darrik Gregg held an early lead over incumbent Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete following the…
Biden pauses Trump policies as Blinken takes diplomatic helm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Wednesday paused or put under review a wide swath of Trump-era foreign policies as America’s new top diplomat took the helm of the State Department.
The Latest: More rules for returning New Zealand travelers
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Travelers returning to New Zealand will face stricter rules at quarantine hotels as health authorities investigate how up to three people got infected with the coronavirus while isolating …
Whitmer seeks common ground with Legislature to end pandemic
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sought “common ground” with the Republican-led Legislature in her State of the State address Wednesday, calling for quick passage of a multibillion-dollar relief plan tha…
The Latest: Colombia bans flights from Brazil due to variant
BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia will ban flights from Brazil effective Friday over concerns of a variant of the coronavirus that is circulating in that country.
House bill would ban trans females from women's sports
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A bill that would ban transgender females from competing on female sports teams sponsored by public schools and universities passed the Montana House on a 61-38 vote Wednesday.
Proud Boys leader was government informant, records show
The leader of the Proud Boys, who was arrested in Washington shortly before the Capitol riot, previously worked undercover and cooperated with investigators after he was accused of fraud in 2012, court documents sh…
The Latest: UK coronavirus variant found in Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama health officials said Wednesday that the more highly transmissible COVID-19 variant seen in the United Kingdom has been found in the state.
Democrat floats Trump censure as conviction grows unlikely
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine said Wednesday that he’s discussing with colleagues whether a censure resolution to condemn former President Donald Trump for his role in the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the …
The Latest: NCarolina governor extends stay-at-home order
RALEIGH, N.C. --- Gov. Roy Cooper on Wednesday extended a trio of executive orders allowing for curbside alcohol sales, a halt to evictions and a requirement for people to remain at home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
US House data not ready until April, states' data after July
The U.S. Census Bureau is aiming to deliver the long-delayed numbers used for divvying up congressional seats by the end of April, but a holdup on redistricting data could disrupt several states’ abilities to redra…
Foundations focus their attentions on saving democracy
NEW YORK (AP) — Democracy, as President Joe Biden declared in his inaugural speech, survived a barrage of misinformation and an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to achieve a peaceful transfer of power.
The Latest: Wisconsin to vote on eliminating mask mandate
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin will become one of only 10 states without statewide mask mandates if the Assembly votes as scheduled Thursday to overturn Gov. Tony Evers’ order, but masks will still be required in some o…
The Latest: PM: Vaccine export controls won't impact Canada
TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the President of the European Commission has reassured him any vaccine export controls the EU enacts won’t impact shipments of Canada’s doses from Europe.
The Latest: Biden WH: Recommit to virus safety to save lives
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is projecting as many as 90,000 Americans will die from the coronavirus in the next four weeks.
Biden: 'We can't wait any longer' to address climate crisis
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the most ambitious U.S. effort to stave off the worst of climate change, President Joe Biden signed