Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Homesley, Falstad share plans for growing county, auditors office
EPHRATA — As Grant County continues to grow, the county auditor's office is tasked with keeping pace with increasi…
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…
Idaho governor calls in help amid surge in COVID patients
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Tuesday called in 220 medical workers available through federal programs and mobilized 150 Idaho National Guard soldiers to deal with a surge in unvaccinated COVID-19 p…
EU backs helping Afghanistan's neighbors cope with refugees
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union justice and home affairs ministers pledged Tuesday to support Afghanistan's neighbors to help them host people fleeing the new Taliban regime and prevent a new wave of migrants headin…
The Latest: AP sources: Gov. Wolf to require masks in school
HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf is planning to announce that masks will be required in all Pennsylvania K-12 schools starting on Sept. 7.
For Biden, ending war in Afghanistan leaves tough questions
WASHINGTON (AP) — Faced with tough questions about leaving Afghanistan, including Americans left behind, President Joe Biden planned to address the nation Tuesday about the way forward after 20 years of U.S. war.
The Latest: Colorado aims vaccine mandate at health workers
DENVER — Colorado health care workers at facilities, including assisted living homes, nursing homes and hospitals, must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of October under a temporary emergency rule approved…