Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Mayor Peter Sharp takes oath of office
SOAP LAKE – Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess adminstered the oath of office to Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday.…
Ephrata schools to move forward with spring levy election
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District Board unanimously approved a motion to run an Educational Programs and Operations levy on the Feb. 2025 ballot. The levy …
Adams County 2024 election results certified
RITZVILLE — With the final results in, about 64.99% of eligible Adams County voters cast ballots in the 2024 general election. The results were certified Tuesd…
Ferguson names leaders for three state agencies
OLYMPIA — Governor-elect Bob Ferguson selected leaders of three state agencies Wednesday, according to an announcement from Ferguson’s office: Marcus Glasper a…
Grant Co. Jail, morgue projects updated
EPHRATA — Another piece of property is now under consideration as a possible location of the Grant County Morgue. Central Services Director Tom Gaines updated …
Prescribed burns scheduled to mitigate wildfires, improve habitats
OLYMPIA – Across Washington, ecosystems ranging from the Western Washington prairies and meadows to the Columbia Basin wetlands and Eastern Washington's pine f…
The driver behind Washington state’s budget shortfall
(The Center Square) – Earlier this month, state officials reported that the operating budget faces a $10-12 billion deficit over the next four years. Unlike…
Rep. Dye earns award for ag service
WENATCHEE — Ninth District Representative Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy) received the State Representative Legislator of the Year award from the Washington Farm Bureau a…
OSPI data shows Basin schools performance
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction releases a report card with data about every school district in the state. The da…
Washington voted to lift natural gas restrictions, but will the changes stick?
OLYMPIA — Of the four initiatives that were on the Washington ballot this year, only one passed, and it’s one that affects housing statewide, including in Gran…
Regional parks district approves first-ever budget
QUINCY — The Quincy Valley Regional Parks District is projected to generate about $4.5 million in revenue and spend about $2.08 million in 2025. District commi…
Soap Lake passes ‘25 budget
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed its 2025 budget during its Nov. 20 regular meeting. The city received help from Finance Director Jeff…
Fentanyl report shows drug's impact on Central WA
YAKIMA — Congressman Dan Newhouse, R–Wash., said he wanted to learn more about fentanyl and its impact in Central Washington after a conversation with a consti…
Incoming Trump admin likely to pull back on push to breach Snake River dams
(The Center Square) – Proponents of breaching the four lower Snake River dams that provide hydropower in the Columbia Basin concede that plan is likely on hold…
Adams Co. turnout down from 2020 general election
RITZVILLE — About 62.5% of eligible Adams County voters cast ballots in the 2024 general election. That’s a lower percentage of voters that cast ballots in eit…
Mattawa council holds budget workshop
MATTAWA — The city of Mattawa tentatively is projected to spend about $12.1 million in 2025, an increase of about $1.5 million over projected expenditures in 2…