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…
Bar owners sue Louisiana governor over virus restrictions
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Eleven Louisiana bar owners filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Gov. John Bel Edwards, arguing his coronavirus rules limiting bars to takeout and delivery unlawfully target one business sector…
McMaster withholds HBCU funds as voucher lawsuit proceeds
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — State attorneys told a judge Wednesday that South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is withholding pandemic relief funds to the state's historically Black colleges and universities following a laws…
California lawmakers advance 3 bills spurred by coronavirus
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers on Wednesday advanced several bills spurred by the coronavirus, including one designed to aid food sector employees and another to stockpile personal protective equipm…
Lujan Grisham builds profile as Biden looks to make VP pick
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Michelle Lujan Grisham has not received the attention of many higher-profile candidates
Proposed abortion restrictions hit snag in Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A proposal to outlaw a common second-trimester abortion procedure in Nebraska hit a snag in the Legislature on Wednesday, leaving its prospects unclear.
Hiroshima court recognizes atomic bomb 'black rain' victims
TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese court on Wednesday for the first time recognized people exposed to radioactive “black rain" that fell after the 1945 U.S. atomic attack on Hiroshima as atomic bomb survivors, ordering the ci…
Judge halts immigration rule on public benefits, cites virus
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a Trump administration rule that could deny green cards to immigrants over use of public benefits from being applied during the pandemic.
MHSAA waits to clear football, soccer, volleyball games
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan High School Athletic Association said Wednesday that competition can begin Aug. 19 and 21 for lower-risk sports like golf, tennis and cross country, but it held off on allowing th…
Gov tightens virus rules up north; Detroit casinos to reopen
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday tightened pandemic restrictions in northern Michigan while letting Detroit’s three casinos reopen at limited capacity after four-plus months of being closed …
Ruth Bader Ginsburg undergoes medical procedure at hospital
WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has undergone a nonsurgical medical procedure in New York City and expects to be released from a hospital there by the end of the week, the Supreme Court said Wednesday…
Hopeful signs for LA County in fight to halt COVID-19 spread
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County is seeing fragile progress in its battle against the coronavirus pandemic, with hospitalizations and the rate of transmission slowing even though thousands of new cases are bei…
Casino regulators seek coronavirus fines in 3 Nevada cases
LAS VEGAS (AP) — State casino regulators are seeking fines against two casinos and a bowling alley in rural Nevada, alleging that employees and patrons failed to comply with requirements including a mandate for peo…
LA County sees hopeful signs amid coronavirus surge
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County, which recently appeared headed for another lockdown amid escalating coronavirus cases, now is seeing fewer hospitalizations and a lower transmission rate that health officials…
Gov tightens virus rules up north; Detroit casinos to reopen
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday tightened pandemic restrictions in northern Michigan while letting Detroit’s three casinos reopen at limited capacity after four-plus months of being closed …
Senators seek EPA help to fix Metro East public health issue
CENTREVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Residents in Illinois’ Metro East region are facing a major public health crisis because of persistent flooding and sewage problems, the state’s two U.S. senators said in a letter sent Wedn…