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…
US rejects nearly all Chinese claims in South China Sea
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration escalated its actions against China on Monday by stepping squarely into one of the most sensitive regional issues dividing them and rejecting outright nearly all of Beijin…
Gubernatorial candidate Freed, others to visit Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Former Bothell City Council member and Republican candidate for governor Joshua Freed will be in Moses Lake’s Civic Park at noon Wednesday. Freed,…
Democrat Ben Ray Luján unveils 1st US Senate TV campaign ad
NAMBÉ, N.M. (AP) — Democrat Ben Ray Luján has released his first television campaign ad in his bid for the U.S. Senate.
Texas GOP votes to move convention online after court losses
HOUSTON (AP) — The Republican Party of Texas changed course Monday night and accepted a virtual convention after courts refused to force Houston, hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, to let the party stick to its …
New Zealand opposition leader quits 2 months from election
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The leader of New Zealand’s opposition National Party quit Tuesday morning just over two months from a general election and 53 days after he took charge of the right-of-center party t…
Inmates sue Utah jail to allege inadequate virus response
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Federal inmates have sued officials who run a Utah jail, alleging a failure to adequately protect them from the coronavirus.
Louisiana workers can file Wednesday for $250 hazard payment
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana will start accepting applications Wednesday for a $250 one-time payment offered to front-line employees who checked out grocery customers, worked at nursing homes and performed oth…
Wyoming extends COVID-19 public health orders through July
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming will again extend public health orders to contain the coronavirus amid a resurgence of the illness, Gov. Mark Gordon announced Monday.
Fire ravages ship for 2nd day; sends acrid haze over city
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Flames tore through a warship for a second day Monday as a top Navy official revealed that a fire suppression system was inoperable when the blaze erupted while the ship was docked in San Diego.
Missouri governor signs bill for free COVID-19 testing
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Monday signed a number of bills into law, including legislation to ensure free COVID-19 testing and a requirement that hospitals perform rape kits when needed.
Correction: Virus Outbreak story
In a story July 12, 2020, about schools reopening, The Associated Press misidentified the first name of an American Academy of Pediatrics physician. He is Dr. Nathaniel Beers, not Dr. Nicholas Beers.
US eyes world power summit for UN anniversary amid crises
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke Monday to his Russian counterpart about convening the leaders of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council to mark the 75th anniversary of the Un…
Petrochemical tax break bill speeds through Senate
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — New legislation to extend millions of dollars in tax breaks to turn natural gas into fertilizer and other chemicals won approval in Pennsylvania's Senate on Monday, barely hours after the mea…
Minnesota legislative leaders: Deal close on bonding, taxes
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Legislative leaders have agreed on most details of a public construction package and tax bill, the Minnesota Senate's top Republican and the top House Democrat said Monday, while discussions cont…
'Smart port' technology planned for Port of New Orleans
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana officials on Monday announced a new “smart port” project aimed at using technology to make dredging and operations decisions around New Orleans’s port.