Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Commissioner candidates discuss public safety, county services
EPHRATA — Four Republican candidates are seeking election to Grant County Commissioner Position 3 in the upcoming …
Illinois Democrats OK new legislative maps over criticism
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Democrats were poised to set new legislative boundaries over objections from Republicans and some community groups that the process was unnecessarily rushed and maps were drawn behind closed…
The Latest: Hanford nuke site requires vaccine for workers
RICHLAND, Wash. — Workers at the Hanford nuclear reservation in eastern Washington state who do not provide proof of a coronavirus vaccination will be required to be tested at least weekly to be allowed on the site…
Years later, California voters still wait on water projects
SITES, Calif. (AP) — In 2014, in the middle of a severe drought that would test California's complex water storage system like never before, voters told the state to borrow $7.5 billion and use part of it to build …
The Latest: Georgia sets pandemic high for new case numbers
ATLANTA — More Georgians are being diagnosed with coronavirus infections than ever before. The rolling seven-day average for positive tests rose to 9,641 per day Tuesday, topping the previous high of 9,635 set back…
FACT FOCUS: Trump, others wrong on US gear left with Taliban
The Taliban have seized both political power and significant U.S.-supplied firepower in their whirlwind takeover of Afghanistan, recovering guns, ammunition, helicopters and other modern military equipment from Afg…
AP FACT CHECK: Biden skirts broken promise on Afghan exit
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden glossed over his broken promise to keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan until the last Americans are out and offered the faint assurance — even with the last U.S. planes gone — that…
The Latest: COVID cases put Hawaii hospital at 120% capacity
HILO, Hawaii — The largest hospital on the Big Island of Hawaii is operating at about 120% of capacity amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Biden defends departure from 'forever war,' praises airlift
WASHINGTON (AP) — A defensive President Joe Biden on Tuesday called the U.S. airlift to extract more than 120,000 Americans, Afghans and other allies from Afghanistan to end a 20-year war an “extraordinary success,…
COVID recession pushed Social Security insolvency up a year
WASHINGTON (AP) — The sharp shock of the coronavirus recession pushed Social Security a year closer to insolvency but left Medicare’s exhaustion date unchanged, the government reported Tuesday in a counterintuitive…
The Latest: Minnesota reopens four free COVID testing sites
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota officials are reopening four free coronavirus testing sites this week as circulation of the highly contagious delta variant renews demand for testing.
Judge blocks Western Michigan's vaccine mandate for athletes
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday blocked Western Michigan University from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine requirement against four female soccer players, ruling they are likely to prevail on claims it …
Biden praises airlift, defends departure from 'forever war'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Addressing the nation, a defensive President Joe Biden on Tuesday called the U.S. military airlift to extract more than 120,000 Afghans, Americans and other allies to end a 20 year war an “extraor…
Backers of Seattle homelessness plan appeal ballot rejection
SEATTLE (AP) — Backers of a measure that would change Seattle’s approach to homelessness are appealing a judge’s decision that blocked it from the November ballot.
The Latest: Idaho Gov. calls in help amid surge of patients
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little is calling in 220 medical workers available through federal programs and mobilizing 150 Idaho National Guard soldiers to deal with a surge in unvaccinated COVID-19 patients ove…
Judge blocks W. Michigan from requiring vaccine for athletes
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A judge on Tuesday blocked Western Michigan University from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine requirement on four female soccer players, ruling they are likely to prevail on claims it violates thei…