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…
Nebraska governor vetoes death penalty transparency bill
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts vetoed a bill Monday that would have prohibited prison officials from blocking the view of execution witnesses before the condemned inmate is declared dead, signaling …
Michigan Legislature gives schools flexibility in pandemic
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan legislators gave final approval Monday to bills that would provide flexibility for K-12 schools as they prepare to open amid the coronavirus pandemic, waiving physical attendance and …
State senator charged with 'injury' to Confederate monument
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A Virginia state senator has been charged with damaging a Confederate monument in Portsmouth during protests that also led to a demonstrator being critically injured when a statue was torn down,…
Former CIA officer charged with giving China classified info
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former CIA officer and contract linguist for the FBI has been charged with spying for China, including by disclosing tradecraft and information on sources to Chinese intelligence officers who ha…
Ybarra works to re-elect Davidson
OLYMPIA — Washington state Treasurer Duane Davidson has chosen Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, as chair of his leadership committee as Davidson seeks re-election, according to a press release.
Michelle Obama's speech to the Democratic convention
Former First Lady's Michelle Obama's speech to the Democratic National Convention, as broadcast Aug. 17, 2020:
Whitmer touts Biden for auto rescue, rips Trump on virus
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — “that woman from Michigan” — touted Joe Biden's work to rescue the auto industry and said he would rally the country to fight the coronavirus and not deny it like Presi…
States says opioid crisis has cost them $630B since 2007
U.S. state and territorial governments say the opioid epidemic has cost them $630 billion since 2007 and that the cost could balloon to more than $2 trillion over the next 20 years.
Arizona reports zero virus deaths for 1st time in 3 weeks
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona officials reported an additional 468 cases of the coronavirus and zero deaths on Monday, marking the first time in three weeks that the state hasn’t reported a death from the virus.
Democratic chair: Primaries should replace caucuses by 2024
Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said Monday that this year's handful of presidential caucuses should be the last the party ever holds.
Kansas governor imposes new ban on evictions, foreclosures
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday imposed a new ban on evictions and foreclosures on home mortgages in Kansas because one federal program to aid unemployed workers has expired and she isn't sure that t…
Trump administration defends Homeland Security leadership
WASHINGTON (AP) — A nonpartisan congressional watchdog's finding that the two top officials at the Department of Homeland Security are legally ineligible to hold their posts is “erroneous” and should be withdrawn, …
Nevada OSHA fines 11 businesses over coronavirus compliance
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Walmart in Mesquite and high-end retailer Nieman Marcus on the Las Vegas Strip were among 11 businesses statewide fined last week by inspectors for failure to comply with coronavirus pandemic mit…
Ruling barring death penalty against immigrant reversed
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Supreme Court has reversed a lower-court ruling that barred prosecutors from seeking the death penalty against a Mexican immigrant charged with murder in a 2015 killing in metro Phoenix b…
Beshear raises concerns about tighter PPE, testing supplies
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's governor raised concerns Monday that supplies of testing materials and personal protective equipment are become tighter in the fight against COVID-19.