Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
New Othello mayor, council members sworn into office.
OTHELLO — New Othello Mayor Ken Johnson and two of three new Othello City Council members were sworn in Monday dur…
As COVID-19 surges, 93% of Oregon's hospital beds are full
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — As Oregon's health system continues to be clobbered by the state's worst COVID-19 surge, officials reported on Tuesday that 93% of the state's hospital beds for adults and 90% of the intensive…
Billions spent on Afghan army ultimately benefited Taliban
WASHINGTON (AP) — Built and trained at a two-decade cost of $83 billion, Afghan security forces collapsed so quickly and completely — in some cases without a shot fired — that the ultimate beneficiary of the Americ…
California fire threatens homes as blazes burn across West
QUINCY, Calif. (AP) — Thousands of Northern California homes were threatened Sunday by the nation's largest wildfire and officials warned the danger of new blazes erupting across the West was high because of unstab…
Amid new virus surge, Florida skeptics reconsider vaccines
CALLAHAN, Fla. (AP) — In a rural stretch of northeastern Florida where barely half the people have gotten a coronavirus shot, Roger West had no problem telling others he was “adamantly anti-vaccination.”
Biden: Afghan chaos 'gut-wrenching' but stands by withdrawal
WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant President Joe Biden rejected blame Monday for chaotic scenes of Afghans clinging to U.S. military planes in Kabul in a desperate bid to flee their home country after the Taliban's easy v…
Japan marks 76th anniversary of WWII defeat; no Suga apology
TOKYO (AP) — Japan marked the 76th anniversary of its World War II surrender on Sunday with a somber ceremony in which Prime Minister Yosihide Suga pledged for the tragedy of war to never be repeated but avoided ap…
Analysis: Defiant Biden is face of chaotic Afghan evacuation
Four presidents share responsibility for the missteps in Afghanistan that accumulated over two decades. But only President Joe Biden will be the face of the war's chaotic, violent conclusion.
DeSantis top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who has been criticized for opposing mask mandates and vaccine passports — is now touting a COVID-19 antibody treatment in which a top donor's company has invested millions of dollars.
Biden team surprised by rapid Taliban gains in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and other top U.S. officials were stunned on Sunday by the pace of the Taliban's nearly complete takeover of Afghanistan, as the planned withdrawal of American forces urgently …
DeSantis top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who has been criticized for opposing mask mandates and vaccine passports — is now touting a COVID-19 antibody treatment in which a top donor's company has invested millions of dollars.
As COVID-19 surges, 93% of Oregon's hospital beds are full
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — As Oregon's health system continues to be clobbered by the state's worst COVID-19 surge, officials reported on Tuesday that 93% of the state's hospital beds for adults and 90% of the intensive…
'Do not give up': Americans help Afghans in new homeland
DALLAS (AP) — Pleas for help from Afghans have been filling up Caroline Clarin’s phone for days as she works from her rural Minnesota home and tries to provide hope to those who ping heart-wrenching messages of des…
Democrats unveil plan to update landmark voting law
ATLANTA (AP) — House Democrats on Tuesday put forward a new proposal to update the landmark Voting Rights Act, seeking against long odds to revive the civil rights-era legislation that once served as a barrier agai…
Transportation Sec. Buttigieg says he, husband are parents
WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has announced that he and husband Chasten have become parents.
Texas governor tests positive for COVID-19, in 'good health'
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, according to his office, who said the Republican is in good health and experiencing no symptoms.