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…
Kansas Rep. Watkins' main GOP foe had more cash in mid-July
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Freshman Rep. Steve Watkins had less campaign cash than his main Republican rival as the GOP primary race entered its final 20 days, online finance records show.
Cassidy registers for Louisiana ballot, with 14 challengers
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy exited the ongoing coronavirus aid negotiations in Washington on Friday to register for his reelection bid, drawing 14 opponents in the race as the candidat…
Russia denies US, UK accusations of weapon test in space
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia dismissed U.S. and British claims that it tested an anti-satellite weapon in space and declared Friday that the accusations served to justify Washington's own plans to deploy weapons in orbit.
Trump honors former track phenom and Kansas congressman Ryun
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday presented one of the nation’s highest civilian honors to Jim Ryun, a former Republican congressman and the first U.S. high schooler to break the 4-minute barrier i…
China tells US to close Chengdu consulate in growing spat
BEIJING (AP) — China ordered the United States on Friday to close its consulate in the western city of Chengdu, ratcheting up a diplomatic conflict at a time when relations have sunk to their lowest level in decade…
South Dakota federal coronavirus funds go to law enforcement
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — As South Dakota looks to use $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds, one of the largest expenditures has been for law enforcement.
EU unveils plans to step up fight against child sexual abuse
BRUSSELS (AP) — Worried by an alarming spike in child sexual abuse before and during the coronavirus pandemic, the European Union's executive arm unveiled plans Friday for a center devoted to preventing the mistrea…
Connecticut House approves police accountability measures
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Connecticut House of Representatives on Friday approved a wide-ranging police accountability proposal following an emotional all-night debate, marked by an attempt that narrowly failed to…
Christian abortion critics urge Dems to change platform
A group of more than 100 Christian pastors, religion professors and other advocates is urging the Democratic National Committee to adopt a party platform that’s friendlier to abortion opponents.
Greece sends 18 migrant kids with medical needs to Germany
BERLIN (AP) — Greece transferred 18 children with medical needs and their close relatives who were living in overcrowded migrant camps to Germany on Friday, authorities said.
Virginia evicts Confederate monuments from its state Capitol
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia has removed from its iconic state capitol the busts and a statue honoring Confederate generals and officials. That includes a bronze statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee positioned in the same…
Speaker snared in Ohio bribery probe liked to play long game
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Tension was thick in the air. After 10 consecutive votes in which another man had garnered more support than Larry Householder's favored candidate to be the next Ohio House speaker, Householde…
Istanbul's Hagia Sophia opens as a mosque for Muslim prayers
ISTANBUL (AP) — Fulfilling a dream of his Islamic-oriented youth, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined hundreds of worshipers Friday for the first Muslim prayers in 86 years inside Hagia Sophia, the Istanb…
Always rocky, China-US relations appear at a turning point
BEIJING (AP) — Four decades after the U.S. established diplomatic ties with Communist China, the relationship between the two may have reached a turning point.
Kansas AG: Local officials can opt out of school mask order
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' Republican attorney general said Thursday that he believes both counties and local school districts can exempt themselves from the Democratic governor's