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…
Senate falls short of halting Trump's $23B arms sales to UAE
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate fell short Wednesday in trying to halt the Trump administration's proposed $23 billion arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, despite bipartisan objections to the package of F-35 fight…
GOP lawmakers to focus on budget, governor's emergency power
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Legislative Republicans who expanded their supermajorities in last month's election were given a mandate by Kentucky voters to put limits on the Democratic governor's executive powers in times…
New Hampshire House Speaker Dick Hinch, a Republican, dies a week after being sworn in
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire House Speaker Dick Hinch, a Republican, dies a week after being sworn in.
Chinese Americans who served in WWII honored by Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Seventy-five years after World War II ended, Congress is honoring thousands of Chinese Americans who served the United States in the war, earning citations for heroism — including the Medal of Hon…
Trump's election fight puts embattled Texas AG in spotlight
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A lawsuit that President Donald Trump is now calling “the big one” in his effort to overturn the outcome of the presidential election is helmed by an embattled Texas ally who is likewise trying…
Hunter Biden tax probe examining Chinese business dealings
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is investigating the finances of President-elect Joe Biden’s son, including scrutinizing some of his Chinese business dealings and other transactions, a person familiar with…
13 counties in California moving into strict virus category
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Thirteen counties in Northern California will be placed under the state's most restrictive coronavirus rules this week because capacity in intensive care units has fallen below 15%, and of…
New Hampshire Republican House Speaker Dick Hinch dies at 71
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire’s House Speaker Dick Hinch died Wednesday, just a week after he was sworn in as leader of the state’s newly Republican-led Legislature. He was 71.
New Mexico begins sewage testing for COVID at prisons
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has begun monitoring sewage from prisons and youth rehabilitation facilities to more efficiently detect COVID-19 outbreaks in the southwest of the state, the state Environment Depar…
Michigan lawmaker disciplined for warning Trump backers
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republican leaders in the Michigan House stripped a Black Democratic lawmaker of her committee assignments Wednesday because she took to social media to warn “Trumpers,” after saying she had r…
Mississippi governor defends hosting parties amid virus
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Wednesday defended his decision to hold Christmas parties at the Governor's Mansion, despite repeatedly warning residents to avoid social gatherings as coronavi…
Kentucky reports 3,481 new confirmed coronavirus cases
LOUISVILLE, Ky (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday that Kentucky's steadily declining test positivity rate is a sign that an exponential rise of new coronavirus cases in the state is slowing and urged residents…
Minnesota officials grateful but worried over virus metrics
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials said they're grateful that the spread of the coronavirus appears to have stabilized in recent days, but cautioned Wednesday that case growth and hospitalization levels …
Polish deputy PM and ruling party head wins confidence vote
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski survived a no-confidence vote in parliament Wednesday that had been brought against him by his opponents.
Iowa hospitals prepare for first staff virus vaccinations
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — University of Iowa Health Care officials said Wednesday that the group's hospitals expect to get their first shipment of a coronavirus vaccine as early as next week and that they plan to begin…