Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Thompson leads 13th District race, plans focus on costs, access
EPHRATA — Joshua Thompson led Deanna Martinez by 3,278 votes for the 13th Legislative District’s state representat…
Kanye West appeals ruling that bars him from Arizona ballot
PHOENIX (AP) — Kanye West asked the Arizona Supreme Court on Friday to reverse a ruling that bars him from appearing on the state’s Nov. 3 ballot as an independent presidential candidate.
Indiana officials add 17 coronavirus deaths to state's toll
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana health officials Friday added 17 more coronavirus-related deaths to the state’s toll as the pandemic continues nearly six months after the first confirmed COVID-19 infection in the state.
Arizona high court: Signatures must be collected in person
PHOENIX (AP) — Backers of voter initiatives must collect qualifying signatures in person even during a pandemic because the Arizona Constitution clearly requires it, the state Supreme Court said Friday.
US wildlife agency seeks to carve out areas from protections
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Trump administration proposal released Friday would allow the government to deny habitat protections for endangered animals and plants in areas that would see greater economic benefits from…
Oklahoma treasury collections fall 5% in August amid oil dip
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Overall collections to the state treasury last month were nearly 5% below collections from August 2019, driven mostly by a slump in oil and gas prices, Oklahoma Treasurer Randy McDaniel said Fr…
Medicaid enrollment strains public finances in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Enrollment in Medicaid has increased by nearly 7% in New Mexico since the outset of the coronavirus pandemic as employers shed jobs and more families descend into poverty, state health regulat…
Congresswoman denied access to Florida postal facilities
MIAMI (AP) — U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said she was denied access to two U.S. Postal Service facilities in South Florida on Friday morning following evidence of delivery delays and other problems.
Gov's office: Blocking all-mail voting would 'inject chaos'
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Granting the Trump campaign's request to block a plan to allow Montana counties to conduct all-mail elections in November would “inject chaos into the election," the governor's office said Frid…
Biden team, GSA sign transition memorandum
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic nominee Joe Biden's transition team has signed a memorandum of understanding with President Donald Trump's General Services Administration to begin planning for a potential handover of …
Montana wants time to respond to all-mail voting challenge
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — President Donald Trump's campaign waited nearly a month before challenging a directive allowing Montana counties to conduct the November election mostly by mail, Gov. Steve Bullock said Friday …
Virginia lawmakers approve absentee voting measures
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers gave final approval Friday to legislation aimed at making absentee voting easier in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, including having the state prepay postage and provi…
Lawmakers extend Lamont's executive powers for 5 more months
A Democratic-controlled special committee of Connecticut legislative leaders voted Friday to extend Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont's emergency powers until Feb. 9, following a pointed partisan debate where Republicans …
Judge sides with Alaska on ballot application mailings
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A federal judge has denied a request seeking to have Alaska election officials send absentee ballot applications to all registered voters in the state ahead of the November general election.
Health order sets requirements for New Mexico voting sites
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Enrollment in Medicaid has increased by nearly 7% in New Mexico since the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in March as employers shed jobs and more families descend into poverty, state healt…
Hawaii epidemiologist takes leave after other key departures
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's embattled epidemiologist is taking a leave of absence after the new head of the state's COVID-19 contact tracing program requested time off, citing issues with the chain of command among he…