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…
GOP leader says Kansas health chief misled public on masks
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Republican leader in the Kansas Legislature on Monday accused Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's top public health administrator of using a misleading presentation to bolster their argument for req…
Whitmer vetoes bill to expand immunity from medical lawsuits
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday vetoed Republican-sponsored legislation that would have given additional health providers and facilities legal protection from lawsuits in any state-declared em…
Absentee and early voting surges for Minnesota primary
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota experienced a surge in absentee and early voting ahead of Tuesday’s primary, and the results of some races may not be immediately known because officials must count mail-in ballots that…
Onions sold in popular West Coast grocery chains recalled
COMMERCE, Calif. (AP) — A limited quantity of red and yellow onions sold at grocery chains Trader Joe’s and Ralphs in the West are being recalled in relation to an ongoing salmonella outbreak, Progressive Produce L…
Arkansas governor: No decision yet on unemployment extension
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday said he needs more guidance before he'll decide whether the state will help pay for extending unemployment benefits under an executive order President…
Maryland governor OKs plan for voting centers
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan approved recommendations by the state elections board on Monday to reduce the number of polling places to accommodate a shortage of poll workers during the coronaviru…
WVa gov wants virus testing at all nursing homes, prisons
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said Monday the state must find a way to retest residents and staff at nursing homes and people at state correctional facilities for the coronavirus after rec…
Michigan to assess remaining portion of failed dam
LANSING, Mich (AP) — State investigators and contractors will this week start assessing the remaining portion of a Michigan dam whose failure this spring contributed to millions of dollars in flood damage and destr…
Nebraska hires new legislative child welfare watchdog
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A legislative staffer who previously worked as a lobbyist and child advocate has been chosen as Nebraska's next inspector general for child welfare, officials announced Monday.
Murphy rejects Trump plan for states to foot some benefits
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump's proposed $400 a week unemployment compensation to succeed the expired $600 a week benefit, with the state paying for a quarter of it, is “just not workable,” New Jersey…
Governor's office evaluating Trump unemployment plan
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is evaluating President Donald Trump’s proposal to offer an additional $400 a week in unemployment payments and has not decided if the state will sign on to the plan, w…
Whitmer vetoes bill to expand protection against lawsuits
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday vetoed Republican-sponsored legislation that would have given additional health providers legal protection from lawsuits in any state-declared emergency and ext…
Group launches another effort to change redistricting
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A group seeking to change the way Oklahoma’s legislative and congressional district lines are drawn announced Monday that it’s launching another initiative petition to try and put the issue bef…
Beshear: Unemployment action 'not workable' in current form
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's Democratic governor on Monday called President Donald Trump's action extending an expired unemployment benefit “not workable" in its current form, warning it would push some costs o…
Georgia board approves online absentee ballot request portal
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's state election board voted unanimously Monday to authorize the secretary of state to create an online portal for voters to request absentee ballots for the November general election.