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…
Settlement reached after ex-governor blocked people online
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A lawsuit challenging former Gov. Matt Bevin's practice of blocking some people on Twitter and Facebook has been settled with the current governor, who has committed to allowing “robust” disc…
Nebraska lawmakers spar over $82M business tax deduction
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A measure that would generate $82 million in Nebraska state tax revenue by eliminating a deduction for high-income earners hit a snag Thursday in the Legislature after business groups objected …
Senator launches investigation into Postal Service delays
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic senator said Thursday he is launching an investigation into changes at the U.S. Postal Service that are causing delays in mail deliveries across the country just as big volume increas…
Judge sides with Louisiana governor, upholds virus rules
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A Louisiana judge Thursday upheld Gov. John Bel Edwards' statewide mask mandate and bar restrictions as legal and enforceable, rejecting claims from Jefferson Parish business owners that the…
Trump's Iran envoy quits administration as US pushes embargo
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration’s top envoy for Iran is stepping down just as the United States tries to moves ahead with a
UK ambassador to China to head British mission to the UN
LONDON (AP) — Barbara Woodward, Britain's ambassador to China, has been announced as the U.K.'s next permanent representative to the United Nations in New York.
Democrats sue Georgia election officials over lines at polls
ATLANTA (AP) — Democrats are asking a federal judge to order Georgia election officials to take steps to prevent long lines at the polls on Election Day.
Gov. Cooper: Trump's coronavirus strategy 'nonexistent'
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Thursday that President Donald Trump’s administration still lacks a sufficient strategy to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, sharpening his criticism of the p…
USPS official: Mail-in ballot surge will not impact service
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The U.S. Postal Service is prepared to handle an unprecedented influx of absentee ballots this November and any reports of the agency being overwhelmed or incapable are false, a senior postal …
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tests positive for coronavirus ahead of planned meeting with President Donald Trump
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tests positive for coronavirus ahead of planned meeting with President Donald Trump.
Maine Republicans again decline to hold special session
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Republicans have again declined to agree to a special session of the state Legislature to address bills left unfinished by the coronavirus pandemic.
Maine gov: State needs 10% spending trims due to pandemic
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine's Democratic governor has directed most state department heads to come up with 10% spending cuts to address revenue lost because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Record 2.5M voted in primary; Benson pushes for legislation
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A record 2.5 million votes were cast in Michigan's primary, as people took advantage of no-excuse absentee voting amid the coronavirus pandemic, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Thursday.
Central, Eastern Europe on Pompeo's itinerary for next trip
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to central and Eastern Europe next week to discuss efforts to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the region and talk about U.S. troop deployments o…
Maine governor eyes deep cuts amid pandemic revenue loss
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine's Democratic governor has directed most state department heads to come up with 10% cost cuts to address revenue lost because of the coronavirus pandemic.