Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Grant County primary turnout slips from 2022 levels as officials look ahead to November election
EPHRATA — Grant County's voter turnout in the 2026 primary election finished at nearly 34%, a figure county electi…
Hawaii launches $100M program for rental housing assistance
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii residents at risk of eviction because of the financial impact of the coronavirus may be eligible for financial assistance under a new $100 million rent relief and housing assistance program.
Danes tap migration envoy as EU eyes asylum system reforms
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Danish government on Thursday appointed an envoy to “help open doors” for a new approach on migration to Europe and to “ensure that real refugees are helped faster and better in the s…
Top Belarus activist says authorities threatened to kill her
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A prominent opposition activist who resisted her forcible expulsion from Belarus by ripping up her passport accused Belarusian authorities Thursday of threatening to kill her amid their efforts…
Macron urges tough EU stance against Turkish 'provocations'
PARIS (AP) — Leaders of EU countries on the Mediterranean were expected on Thursday to send a clear warning to Turkey at an emergency summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, who denounced what he called …
Assange extradition hearing paused over COVID-19 risk
LONDON (AP) — The London hearing on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition from Britain to the United States was suspended Thursday because one of the lawyers may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
China denounces US visa revocations as racial discrimination
BEIJING (AP) — U.S. move to revoke the visas of about 1,000 Chinese students amounts to “outright political persecution and racial discrimination,” China's foreign ministry said Thursday.
COVID-19 money to improve internet access for NC students
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's state government is using federal COVID-19 relief dollars to purchase equipment so more public school students can access online classes and homework help.
US to ASEAN: Reconsider deals with blacklisted China firms
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked Southeast Asian nations Thursday to reconsider deals with Chinese companies blacklisted by Washington for building island outposts he says Beijing is …
Family heartache spotlights Australia virus restrictions
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s government has ramped up pressure on a state government to relax pandemic border restrictions after a woman was refused permission to attend her father’s funeral on Thursday a…
Little left of Greece's Moria refugee camp after 2nd fire
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Little remained of Greece's notoriously overcrowded Moria refugee camp Thursday after a second fire overnight destroyed nearly everything that had been spared in the original blaze, leaving th…
Judge blocks Tennessee law that limits new voter mail voting
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a Tennessee law for the November election that bars first-time voters from casting ballots by mail unless they show identification at an election office …
'Deadly stuff': Trump's own words bring focus back to virus
WASHINGTON (AP) — Try as he might to change the subject, President Donald Trump can’t escape the coronavirus.
Now hiring: California offers credits to small businesses
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — With millions of people out of work in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed a law giving tax breaks to small businesses that hire more workers by Dec. 1.
Houston easing attendance limits at some live events, sports
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston officials on Wednesday announced new rules that would allow some live events like concerts and attendance by fans at some sporting events to resume as the positivity rate for the coronavirus …
Missouri Democrat running for governor unveils health agenda
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Democratic candidate for Missouri governor Nicole Galloway said Wednesday that she wants to pass a state law protecting health insurance for people with preexisting conditions.