Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Soap Lake looking to seat salary commission
SOAP LAKE — The City of Soap Lake is seeking residents to serve on its newly reactivated Salary Commission, a citi…
Ohio law on ballot box limit quietly clarified as suit ends
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A lawsuit challenging an Ohio order that had restricted counties to one ballot drop box location during November's election quietly ended Thursday without further appeal, leaving in place cour…
Pennsylvania blasts Texas' bid to overturn Biden's election
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Lawyers for Pennsylvania responded in the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to Texas' effort to overturn the election result in four states for President-elect Joe Biden, calling it a “seditious…
Senate: Let drivers renew license in person less frequently
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan drivers could renew their licenses more frequently online or by mail instead of having to go to a secretary of state branch office under bipartisan legislation that received unanimous…
New Mexico health orders could limit surgeries, ration care
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials on Thursday issued orders that could limit nonessential surgeries and prepare for rationing of other medial services as the coronavirus pandemic strains resources a…
Powell trying to resurrect bid to undo Biden’s Arizona win
PHOENIX (AP) — Conservative lawyer Sidney Powell is appealing the dismissal of her lawsuit seeking to decertify election results that gave Democrat President-elect Joe Biden a victory in Arizona over Republican Pre…
Georgia House speaker moves against election official
ATLANTA (AP) — Amid continuing Republican attacks on the legitimacy of Joe Biden's presidential victory in Georgia, the state House speaker is proposing to take the selection of the state's chief election official …
5 bicyclists killed, 3 injured in crash on Nevada highway
BOULDER CITY, Nev. (AP) — Five bicyclists were killed and three others injured in a crash Thursday involving a box truck on U.S. Highway 95 south of Boulder City, Nevada Highway Patrol officials said.
Lawmakers: California jobless claims still a 'black hole'
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A beleaguered California agency's attempt to stem an unemployment benefits scam potentially exceeding $2 billion while reducing a frustrating backlog is failing, two state lawmakers from o…
Pennsylvania halts school sports, bans indoor dining
Pennsylvania moved Thursday to temporarily halt school sports and other extracurricular activities, close gyms, theaters and casinos, and ban indoor dining at restaurants as state officials respond to the worsening…
Watchdog clears Pompeo's wife of travel ethics charges
WASHINGTON (AP) — An independent probe into the travel of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s wife has concluded that the trips with her husband on official business did not violate federal ethics rules.
Exposure feared after New Hampshire speaker dies of COVID-19
The speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives died of COVID-19, a medical examiner ruled Thursday, a day after the Republican's unexpected death, raising concerns that other members of one of the world'…
'Tis the pandemic season: White House parties on amid virus
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s the season for holiday gatherings, both official and informal. But it’s also still very much pandemic season, and COVID-19 infection numbers are setting records in the nation’s capital.
Lawsuit alleges secrecy at New Mexico prison agency
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A newly founded watchdog organization on prison conditions says it is colliding with a culture of secrecy at the New Mexico Corrections Department that may interfere with monitoring complaints…
California environmentalists blast federal oil lease sale
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Oil and gas leases on federal public lands in California were put up for auction for the first time in eight years on Thursday, drawing protests from environmental organizations on ground…
Michigan looks to limit incarceration for minor offenses
LANSING, Mich (AP) — The Michigan Senate approved bipartisan legislation Thursday that would limit incarceration for minor offenses, another step as the Legislature moves to change criminal justice laws in the clos…