Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Ephrata leaders push for local control, infrastructure protections in Olympia
EPHRATA — Three Ephrata city leaders spent two days in Olympia last week meeting with state lawmakers on a wide ra…
Ferguson and Brown prepare for 'worst-case' ICE crackdown
OLYMPIA — Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown held a press conference Monday morning condemning the recent immigration enforcement actions in Min…
Washington lawmakers push to expand collective bargaining for ag workers
OLYMPIA — The Washington Senate Labor and Commerce committee held a public hearing Tuesday, Jan. 20 for a bill that would allow agriculture workers to collecti…
Ybarra proposes bill to help rural county economies grow
OLYMPIA — Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, is sponsoring a bill that would grant certain rural counties in Washington state more time to designate industrial land b…
Royal schools EP&O levy on Feb. 10 ballot
ROYAL CITY — Royal School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a two-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election Feb. 10. …
Quincy voters to consider school EP&O levy Feb. 10
QUINCY — Ballots are scheduled to be mailed next week for a special election that will decide the fate of a four-year educational programs and operations levy …
Ephrata School District proposes Grant Elem. replacement
EPHRATA — Grant Elementary – an overcrowded, nearly 70‑year‑old school where more than 40% of students learn in portables – has become a driver behind the Ephr…
WA GOP, journalist file injunction to stop state from deleting public records
(The Center Square) — The Washington State Republican Party and journalist Jonathan Choe have jointly filed an injunction in Thurston County Superior Court bar…
Swartz chosen for second term as Moses Lake mayor
MOSES LAKE — Dustin Swartz will be serving as Moses Lake mayor for the next two years. Swartz was reelected by Moses Lake City Council members on a 5-1 vote Tu…
Ephrata Schools bond: Parkway Intermediate
EPHRATA — Parkway Intermediate School is one of the campuses the Ephrata School District is looking to replace with a proposed $75 million, 25-year school cons…
Kriete, Sainsbury to run for Grant County Sheriff
EPHRATA — Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete will face a challenge from a GCSO officer in the race for sheriff this year. Kriete announced his intention to run f…
WA Legislature considering face mask bans for law enforcement
OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers have introduced a bill that aims to ban local and federal law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacti…
Ybarra introduces bill to roll back special fuels tax
OLYMPIA — A bill to repeal a “special fuels tax” imposed in 2025 on diesel and other fuels was introduced for the 2026 Washington legislative session by 13th D…
WA Legislature kicks off session
OLYMPIA — Washington legislators convened in Olympia last week for the 2026 Legislation Preview, highlighting priorities ahead of the short 60-day session that…
Kriete, Wagner express opposition to bills on sheriff eligibility
MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner have both expressed concerns regarding Senate Bill 5974, companion bill to H…
Protesters express frustrations regarding ICE, Venezuela Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Area residents gathered on Stratford Road in Moses Lake to protest the recent deaths of Renee Nicole Good, 37, of Minneapolis and Kieth Porter, 43…