Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Raap, Durfee advance to general election in Grant County Commissioner race
EPHRATA— With only about 150 ballots left to count in Grant County as of Aug. 13, Kelly Raap and Shannon Durfee ap…
Senate expected to pass utility reforms after Aug. outages
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Connecticut Senate was expected Thursday to give final legislative approval to a bill that could ultimately base electric rates on a utility's performance, a move that's in response to th…
Pompeo, Vatican butt heads on China after tensions spill out
ROME (AP) — The U.S. and the Vatican butted heads over China on Thursday as the Holy See chafed at U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s public call to take a harsher stance against Chinese restrictions on religiou…
Friendly skies: Jet-owning donors reap Trump-era rewards
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ben Pogue, owner of a Texas construction company, provided the use of a private jet to President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign last fall. Several months later, his father received a president…
Paris bars face possible closure as virus patients fill ICUs
PARIS (AP) — With COVID-19 patients now filling about one-third of the intensive care units in the Paris area, France’s health minister threatened Thursday to close bars and ban family gatherings, if the situation …
Alaska judge to hear arguments over ballot witness rules
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Attorneys for the state want a judge to deny a request to block enforcement of witness requirements for absentee ballots in Alaska, saying ballot envelopes listing the requirement have been pr…
New rules for Liverpool as virus cases in England quadruple
LONDON (AP) — Britain imposed tighter restrictions on social gatherings in the port city of Liverpool and three towns as scientists reported Thursday that the number of COVID-19 cases in England has quadrupled or m…
GOP appeal seeks witnesses for S Carolina absentee ballots
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Republicans want the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn an appellate ruling upholding a decision that voters don't need to find a witness during the coronavirus pandemic to sign the…
Mississippi could give COVID-19 relief money to hospitals
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Hospitals, veterans' centers, farmers and landlords in Mississippi could receive money to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, under proposals being considered by state lawmakers.
Doctors ask Supreme Court to strike down Trump abortion rule
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's largest doctors' group on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to strike down a Trump administration rule that's had a far-reaching impact on family planning by prohibiting taxpayer-funde…
A Republican state lawmaker in Pennsylvania tests positive for COVID-19, canceling House session
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Republican state lawmaker in Pennsylvania tests positive for COVID-19, canceling House session.
Ex-Virginia House speaker files papers to run for governor
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former Virginia House Speaker Kirk Cox has filed paperwork with the state to run for governor next year, joining a small field of Republicans looking to enter the race.
GOP lawmaker's positive COVID-19 test cancels voting session
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Republican lawmaker's positive test for COVID-19 on Thursday prompted legislative leaders to immediately cancel the day's Pennsylvania House voting session, and human resources workers were…
Process tweaked for Louisiana's emergency rental aid program
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The Louisiana Housing Corporation said it's streamlined the application for emergency rental aid for people impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, trying to speed assistance for a $24 million…
Judge says government's suit over Bolton book can proceed
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration can move forward with its lawsuit against former national security adviser
Pompeo, Vatican talk China after tensions spill out publicly
ROME (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vatican officials discussed religious freedom and their differences over China on Thursday, a day after tensions over the Holy See's outreach to Beijing spilled o…