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 …
Democrats set to OK new legislative maps over criticism
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Democrats on Tuesday are expected to approve new legislative boundaries over objections from Republicans and some community groups that the process was unnecessarily rushed and maps drawn be…
Analysis: War is over but not Biden's Afghanistan challenges
WASHINGTON (AP) — With the final stream of U.S. cargo planes soaring over the peaks of the Hindu Kush, President Joe Biden fulfilled a campaign promise to end America’s longest war, one it could not win.
California moves slowly on water projects amid drought
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: Australia getting vaccine in swap with Singapore
CANBERRA, Australia — Australia says it has reached a deal with Singapore to acquire 500,000 doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine next week in return for delivering the same number of shots to Singapore in Decem…
The Latest: Portland, Ore., city workers must be vaccinated
PORTLAND, Ore. — City employees in Portland, Oregon, must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus — or obtain a medical or religious exemption — by the middle of October or they will be fired.
The Latest: Honolulu sets vaccine proof for business clients
HONOLULU — The mayor of Honolulu says the city will soon require patrons of restaurants, bars, museums, theaters and other establishments to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test.
EXPLAINER: Hit by Ida, New Orleans faces weeks without power
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hurricane Ida knocked out all eight transmission lines that deliver power to New Orleans, leaving the entire city without electricity as the
Portland: City employees must get COVID-19 vaccine
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — City employees in Portland, Oregon, must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus — or obtain a medical or religious exemption — by the middle of October or they will be fired.
The Latest: Fla. holds back school district funds over masks
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida officials have begun to make good on threats to withhold funding from school districts that defy Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates despite a court ruling last week finding his orde…
As US military leaves Kabul, many Americans, Afghans remain
WASHINGTON (AP) — As the final five U.S. military transport aircraft lifted off out of Afghanistan Monday, they left behind up to 200 Americans and thousands of desperate Afghans who couldn't get out and now must r…
Officials withhold school board salaries over mask mandates
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida state education officials on Monday began to make good on threats to withhold funding from local school districts that defied Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates, despite a circ…
The Latest: Judge now allowing unvaccinated mom to see son
CHICAGO — An Illinois judge has reversed a ruling to bar a divorced mother from seeing her 11-year-old son because she isn’t vaccinated against the coronavirus.
The Latest: Georgia infections, hospitalizations near peaks
ATLANTA — Coronavirus infections and COVID-19 hospitalizations in Georgia are nearing the peaks set in January.
Longest war's cost: thousands of lives, trillions of dollars
U.S. military planes have carried the last U.S. service members and diplomats from Kabul’s airport, ending America’s longest war. Ordinary Americans closely watched the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, as they …
The Latest: Tenn. moms of 2 ill kids sue to require masks
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mothers of two children with serious illnesses are asking a federal judge to block enforcement of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s order allowing parents to opt out of pandemic mask requirements in school…