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…
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…
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.
Alabama governor extends mask order, requires for students
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday extended a state order requiring face coverings in public for another month and expanded it to include students in second grade and above in an attempt to …
Lawyers: Cooper didn't need group's consent for virus orders
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper didn't need the consent of other statewide elected leaders to issue COVID-19 orders shuttering businesses, limiting assemblies and mandating face cover…
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…
Maryland expands mask requirements, issues travel advisory
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Wednesday issued a travel advisory urging residents to avoid visiting some states with rapidly increasing cases of coronavirus and expanded mask-wearing requirements.
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.
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Mexico jump 352, now 20,136
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials say the state has 352 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bring the state’s total to 20,136.
State question to reduce incarceration rate headed to voters
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A group seeking to further reduce Oklahoma’s high prison incarceration rate announced Wednesday that its state question has qualified for the November ballot.
Police launch morning sweep of homeless camp near Capitol
DENVER (AP) — Denver and state police and public health officials cleared a large camp of homeless people in downtown's Lincoln Park on Wednesday, citing the threat of the spread of the coronavirus and other diseas…
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…
Pennsylvania may pilot virus-tracing app popular in Ireland
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A contact-tracing app that was downloaded by one-fifth of Ireland in 36 hours might undergo a pilot project in Pennsylvania that could go live in the coming weeks as part of an effort to more…
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…
Indiana governor urges virus safety steps, not tougher rules
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana will keep its current coronavirus restrictions in place for at least most of August, with Gov. Eric Holcomb choosing Wednesday to encourage compliance with safety measures amid continued…
Virus tracing app could go live in Pennsylvania in August
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A contact-tracing app for mobile phones is being piloted and could go live in Pennsylvania in the coming weeks as part of an effort to more quickly contain coronavirus outbreaks by notifying …