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…
Wisconsin official outlines absentee ballot system upgrades
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — State elections officials say they're making headway on streamlining absentee ballot tracking by using so-called intelligent bar codes, after a crush of complaints from voters who never receive…
Congress awards its highest honor to USS Indianapolis crew
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, its highest honor, to surviving crew members of the
Incumbent mayor of tiny Arizona town faces longtime rival
TUSAYAN, Ariz. (AP) — Along a stretch of highway leading to the Grand Canyon, there's a hint of an upcoming election: hand-painted signs encourage voters to choose the candidate who says she'll represent everyone.
Trump administration easing more Obama-era oil and gas rules
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Trump administration is seeking to ease more rules for oil and gas drilling that were adopted under the Obama administration, with the latest changes projected to save energy companies mo…
Detroit plans to keep poll workers, voters safe from virus
DETROIT (AP) — Elections officials in Detroit are preparing for the challenges that come with voting during a national health crisis that has killed
Big N. Carolina utilities told to stop disconnections longer
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina regulators have told the state's big for-profit electric, natural gas and water utilities to keep delaying disconnections through August as customers still struggle financially f…
Wisconsin governor orders masks statewide amid virus surge
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday issued a statewide mask mandate amid a spike in coronavirus cases, setting up a conflict with Republican legislative leaders and some conservatives who opp…
Election officials game out worst-case scenarios in drills
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity agency this week hosted a three-day tabletop exercise aimed at helping local, state and federal officials prepare for and respond to worst-case …
Colorado activists want more federal money to feed families
DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers and hunger awareness groups are urging Congress to increase food stamp benefits as families increasingly turn to food banks due to job losses during the coronavirus pandemic.
In sprawling Capitol, leaders struggle to keep virus at bay
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are under increasing pressure from lawmakers to boost testing for the coronavirus in the Capitol, an idea they have so far rej…
US government drops effort to silence Trump's ex-lawyer
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. government dropped its effort to silence President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer on Thursday, saying it will no longer demand that Michael Cohen not speak with the media in the week…
Nebraska student-discipline bill stalls in Legislature
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would let Nebraska teachers physically restrain students who are hurting themselves or others died in the Legislature Thursday after opponents mounted a filibuster to keep it from c…
Trump floats idea of election delay, a virtual impossibility
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump, lagging in the polls and grappling with deepening economic and public health crises, on Thursday floated the startling idea of delaying the Nov. 3 presidential election. Hi…
Pennsylvania reports 860 new virus cases, 14 deaths
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania health officials on Thursday reported 860 additional cases of the coronavirus, and 14 new deaths.
GOP rep blasted over parody of appeal for trans tolerance
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday denounced a Republican state lawmaker and self-styled opponent of mask-wearing for mimicking the words of the state's health secretary, who is transgender, by appeal…