Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
10 congressional candidates outline priorities at Moses Lake forum
MOSES LAKE — Ten of the 11 candidates running for Washington's 4th Congressional District appeared at a candidate …
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…
Newsom taps new head of powerful California air board
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom tapped a veteran regulator Wednesday as the next chair of the powerful Air Resources Board, which implements the state's ambitious climate change goals.
Baltimore's new mayor announces new COVID-19 restrictions
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore will shut down indoor and outdoor dining this week to fight the spread of COVID-19, as part of new restrictions announced Wednesday by the city's new mayor, and other jurisdictions i…
Colorado officials say COVID-19 vaccine to arrive next week
DENVER (AP) — Colorado will receive its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines next week if the federal approval process goes smoothly and supply chains function as expected, state health officials said Wednesday.
Kansas joins GOP effort to overturn presidential election
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ Republican attorney general has brought the state into an effort by GOP officials across the nation to subvert the will of voters and reverse President Donald Trump’s election loss.
SC to prioritize elderly, food workers for COVID-19 vaccine
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Prisoners and poultry plant workers will follow soon after frontline healthcare employees in South Carolina's COVID-19 vaccine plan, Gov. Henry McMaster said Wednesday.
Louisiana forecasting panel delays income review until Jan.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana will wait until mid-January to update its income projections to account for the latest effects of the coronavirus outbreak, delaying a traditional pre-holiday forecasting meeting a…
Despite critics, Baker, Cuomo honored for virus leadership
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — both praised and reviled for their coronavirus wins and missteps — were honored for their pandemic leadership at a virtual event Wedne…
Biden hails historic Pentagon pick, but some Dems in a bind
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday introduced his choice for secretary of defense, calling retired Army Gen.