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…
Montana announces 3 more COVID-19 deaths, total now 55
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana officials announced three more deaths due to COVID-19 on Wednesday as Gov. Steve Bullock said the state or county health departments might have to increase restrictions in nine counties…
Tennessee state senator charged with stealing federal funds
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee state senator has been charged with stealing more than $600,000 in federal funds received by a health care company she directed and using the money to pay for her wedding and other…
MHSAA waits to start 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…
North Carolina state Rep. Conrad to resign this week
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Four-term North Carolina state Rep. Deborah Conrad will resign her seat this week, with the possibility of returning to Raleigh soon as a lobbyist.
Ex-Maryland lawmaker gets 2 years in prison in bribery case
SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — A former state lawmaker who helped create Maryland's medical marijuana industry was sentenced on Wednesday to two years in prison for taking bribes for legislative favors, including votes …
COVID-19 cancels Wyoming hunt amid Native American criticism
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The coronavirus has prompted cancellation of a charity antelope hunt that has drawn teams of famous, powerful men to central Wyoming for over 75 years and now faces growing criticism that cere…
South Dakota GOP lawmakers wait to use of COVID-19 funds
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Top South Dakota Republican lawmakers on Wednesday said they would rather wait until the legislative session in January to decide how to use most of the federal coronavirus aid the state ha…
House COVID oversight panel demands documents from 4 states
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The head of a congressional coronavirus oversight panel on Wednesday demanded Tennessee's Gov. Bill Lee and three other Republican governors provide documents showing how their states are co…
Amid pandemic, Maine revenues projected to dip $524 million
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Revenues needed to run state government are projected to drop by $524 million in fiscal 2021 because of the pandemic, the Revenue Forecasting Committee said Wednesday.
Florida hits 216 virus deaths; governor wants schools open
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday continued his push to reopen schools amid pushback from the state's teachers union, as health officials reported a new record of COVID-19 deaths re…
California's remote Modoc County has its 1st COVID-19 cases
A remote California county bordering Oregon and Nevada that was the first to defy state shutdown orders to prevent spread of the coronavirus has confirmed its first cases of COVID-19.
Michigan to phase in start of high school sports competition
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 held off on allowing the st…
Administration wants West Wing remodel money in virus bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration wants $377 million in the next coronavirus relief bill for a long-delayed modernization of the West Wing, but the timetable for construction is yet to be determined.
Baldwin dodges questions on VP pick, Russian interference
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin sidestepped questions Wednesday about her chances to be presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden’s running mate and said that Milwaukee should be considered for a futu…
Massachusetts House votes to extend legislative session
BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts House on Wednesday made the rare move of passing an order to suspend the Legislature's own rules and extend the legislative session scheduled to end Friday through January.