Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Auditor candidates discuss election integrity, public confidence
EPHRATA — Three Republican candidates are running for the position of Grant County Auditor: incumbent Shannon Fals…
California's $2 billion plan to reopen schools faces critics
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Most of California’s 6 million public school students have not seen the inside of a classroom in 10 months. Gov. Gavin Newsom is hoping his $2 billion plan to resume in-person classes will get …
Victims in 2011 Giffords attack see parallel to Capitol riot
PHOENIX (AP) — As a pro-Trump mob laid siege to the U.S. Capitol this week, former Rep. Gabby Giffords could only wait nervously for news about her husband, Mark Kelly, who was barely a month into his job as a sena…
Illinois GOP congresswoman apologizes for quoting Hitler
CHICAGO (AP) — A freshman Republican congresswoman from downstate Illinois apologized Friday for knowingly quoting Adolf Hitler during a rally outside of the U.S. Capitol this week.
Vermont Senate joins call for Trump resignation or removal
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Senate on Friday joined members of the House by condemning the breach of the U.S. Capitol and demanding that President Donald Trump resign or be removed from office.
Montana liability bill intended to limit virus litigation
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana Senate committee is considering a bill that would provide liability protection for businesses and health care providers against lawsuits related to the pandemic.
McMaster proposes $500M for rainy day fund in new budget
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — As other states trim expenses and borrow money amid the economic fallout prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is already looking to shore up the state's rai…
Berlin backtracks on plan to reopen schools after protests
BERLIN (AP) — Authorities in Berlin backtracked Friday on plans to partially resume in-school teaching in the German capital next week despite a national lockdown, following protests from parents, teachers and the …
'Zombie law' cited in court fight over Mississippi marijuana
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Attorneys trying to block a Mississippi medical marijuana program say the state is using a “zombie law” about old congressional districts to defend how an initiative landed on the ballot.
Greece extends lockdown past 2 months, expands vaccinations
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece has extended a two-month lockdown by at least one week, through Jan. 18, and announced plans Friday to increase the number of people getting COVID-19 vaccines from 5,000 per day to 8,00…
AP Source: Pelosi tells Dems that top military official assured her steps are in place to prevent Trump nuclear launch
WASHINGTON (AP) — AP Source: Pelosi tells Dems that top military official assured her steps are in place to prevent Trump nuclear launch.
Pragmatic pandemic budget: No new programs, tax rates steady
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Democratic Gov. Janet Mills’ proposals for shoring up the current budget and guiding spending over the next two years reflect a pragmatic approach that holds taxes steady and offers no new pr…
Prison business wants to sell products to state employees
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota is considering whether to allow the state’s 16,000 employees to buy products made by people incarcerated in the state prison system.
Bill Rappleye, longtime political reporter, dies from cancer
CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — A longtime political reporter in Rhode Island who won numerous awards over a 40-year career has died at 66.
Wisconsin budget panel approves recount reimbursement
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Legislature's Republican-controlled budget committee on Friday approved reimbursing Milwaukee and Dane counties for costs incurred during the recount requested and paid for by Pre…
Panel recommends raising NC revenues for transportation 40%
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A blue-ribbon panel called Friday on North Carolina to boost transportation spending by 40% through the next decade to improve its “mediocre” infrastructure of highways, railroads and transit a…