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…
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…
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…