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…
Louisiana Democrats searching for new state party leader
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Democrats will elect a new leader this summer, after state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson said Thursday that she won't seek reelection as chair of the state party.
Milley: Confederate names on Army bases divide the military
WASHINGTON (AP) — Confederate Army symbols within the military, including prominent Army bases named for rebel generals, are divisive and can be offensive to Black people in uniform, the nation's top officer said T…
Trump signs executive order as he courts Hispanic voters
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday that creates an advisory commission tasked with improving Hispanic Americans' access to economic and educational opportunities, a push tha…
Police: Black man's hanging death in California was suicide
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The death of a Black man found hanging from a tree in a Southern California city park last month was ruled a suicide Thursday following a police investigation prompted by outrage from the family …
Virus jump swells California lines for tests; shortages loom
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Before Brian Haag returned to work styling hair at a Los Angeles salon last month, he wanted to ensure his clients he was not infected with coronavirus, so he booked an appointment for a test and…
AP FACT CHECK: Trump team distortions on Biden and police
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's campaign team is misrepresenting Democratic rival Joe Biden's stance on improving police practices following George Floyd's death.
Pentagon: US will respond if Russia bounty reports are true
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Pentagon leaders told Congress on Thursday that reports of Russia offering Taliban militants bounties for killing Americans were not corroborated by defense intelligence agencies, but said the…
Gov: Health workers must get bias training; issues mask plea
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan health workers must receive “implicit bias” training tied to their professional licensure under a directive issued Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who said the mandate will help ad…
Alabama mayor diagnosed with COVID-19 dies as cases surge
CLANTON, Ala. (AP) — A longtime Alabama mayor diagnosed with the disease caused by the new coronavirus has died, city officials said Thursday as the illness continued surging in the state.
US Supreme Court asked to lift stay on Florida felon voting
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Voting rights advocates asked the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a stay on a federal judge's ruling that allowed Florida felons to regain the right to vote, regardless of unpaid fines and other…
Alaska judge hears arguments in virus relief aid case
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A state court judge should block disbursement of federal coronavirus relief aid to small businesses under a reinterpretation of program rules by Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration, an …
Face masks made mandatory on all UW campuses this fall
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Face masks will be mandatory inside all University of Wisconsin campus buildings statewide under a policy adopted unanimously Thursday by the Board of Regents after interim President Tommy Thom…
Florida reports highest single-day jump in COVID-19 deaths
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Health authorities in Florida reported 120 new deaths from the new coronavirus on Thursday, grimly marking the highest one-day jump yet amid a surge in new infections that continues to befu…
Navy carrier sidelined by virus returns home to San Diego
San Diego (AP) — The USS Theodore Roosevelt returned home to San Diego on Thursday led by a new captain who came aboard after the previous commanding officer was fired over the handling of a massive COVID-19 outbre…
Official: Feds feared Epstein confidant might kill herself
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Federal officials were so worried Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime confidant