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…
Massive illegal dump discovered in southeastern New Mexico
EUNICE, N.M. (AP) — State officials say they discovered a massive illegal dumping site in southeastern New Mexico while cleaning up a former limestone mining pit.
New Mexico sheriff in obstruction case loses certification
ESPAÑOLA, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico sheriff accused of showing up under the influence of alcohol to a SWAT standoff and trying to order officers away is no longer a licensed law enforcement officer in the state.
Border Patrol: Man legally carrying corpse hid people in SUV
DOUGLAS, Ariz. (AP) — U.S. Border Patrol agents said an Arizona man who was transporting a body to a mortuary is facing human smuggling charges after they found six Mexican citizens hidden inside the vehicle.
Some California hospitals are overwhelmed by virus cases
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Teams of military doctors, nurses and other health care specialists are being deployed to eight California hospitals facing staffing shortages amid a record-breaking surge of coronavirus c…
Report: Pot arrests still fall heavily on Hispanics, Blacks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The number of felony marijuana arrests in California continued to decline in 2019 in the age of legalization, but another trend remained unchanged: those arrests fell disproportionately on Hispan…
Ducey to extend ban on evictions in Arizona
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona renters dreading the expiration of a coronavirus-related moratorium on evictions will get a reprieve, Gov. Doug Ducey said Thursday.
Georgia gov sues to end cities' defiance on mask rules
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is suing Atlanta's mayor and city council to block the city from enforcing its mandate to wear a mask in public and other rules related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Democrat outpaces top of GOP field in Senate race in Kansas
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The presumed Democratic nominee for an open Senate seat in Kansas raised almost $1.3 million more than the top-tier Republican primary candidates combined during the second quarter of the year, …
Pompeo says US should limit which human rights it defends
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo argued Thursday for a more limited U.S. view of global human rights advocacy based on the principals laid out by America's Founding Fathers, a suggestion critics ass…
Ex-New Mexico officer facing murder charge over chokehold
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A former police officer in New Mexico was charged Thursday with second-degree murder after authorities said he killed a Latino detainee he had placed in a chokehold.
Officials: Pentagon eyes new way to bar Confederate flag
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense leaders, who for weeks have been tied in knots over the incendiary issue of banning the Confederate flag, are weighing a new policy that would bar its display at department facilities with…
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp sues Atlanta over the city's requirement to wear masks in public, other COVID-19 restrictions
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp sues Atlanta over the city's requirement to wear masks in public, other COVID-19 restrictions.
Murphy signs bill allowing $10B in debt to fill budget holes
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Thursday authorizing nearly $10 billion in debt to plug budget holes that stem from the coronavirus pandemic, and Republicans sued him,…
Virginia lawmakers weigh in with unemployment concerns
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Dozens of Democratic Virginia lawmakers called for reforms at the state agency tasked with handling unemployment benefits, saying in a letter Thursday that they were concerned about its ability…
Kentucky Democratic party stalwart sentenced to prison
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky businessman and Democrat Party stalwart Jerry Lundergan was sentenced on Thursday to 21 months in prison for making illegal contributions to the failed U.S. Senate campaign of his dau…