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…
Most Californians live in areas with troubling virus numbers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Nearly three-quarters of California's 40 million residents live in counties experiencing concerning coronavirus trends, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday in vowing stepped-up enforcement of he…
Spread out desks, half-empty buses: Schools plan to reopen
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Face masks, spaced out desks and half-empty buses: Things will look different when students from throughout Nevada return for the 2020-2021 school year.
Clarkson says city mask order doesn't apply to state offices
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Anchorage city attorney said Monday a memo from Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson, exempting state buildings from a city mask order meant to guard against the coronavirus, “unnecessar…
Forest: Lawsuit against fall rival Cooper isn't political
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest said Monday his impending lawsuit against Gov. Roy Cooper for unilaterally closing businesses and mandating face masks due to
AP FACT CHECK: Actually, 20% of US lives in a virus hot spot
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s been a frequent Trump administration talking point on the recent spike in COVID-19 infections: Don’t worry, only a small sliver of U.S. counties is at greater risk.
New Mexico governor signs bill to help financial strain
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed a measure that would temporarily forgive tax-interest penalties during the coronavirus pandemic.
Arizona governor orders bars, nightclubs, gyms, movie theaters and water parks to close for at least 30 days over virus
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona governor orders bars, nightclubs, gyms, movie theaters and water parks to close for at least 30 days over virus.
Kansas City mayor called racist slur after requiring masks
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City's Black mayor said Monday that he was called a racist slur and told he should “swing from a tree” after he announced mandatory face masks in the Missouri city.
Governor: 'No point' to debate axing of top health official
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is done talking about why he pushed out a top health official during the coronavirus pandemic.
Face shields, gloves, wipes: Texas votes as virus rages
PLANO, Texas (AP) — As coronavirus cases skyrocket in Texas, Regina Greenwell showed up to vote Monday bent on minimizing the risks.
UK city of Leicester sees lockdown tightened on virus spike
LONDON (AP) — The British government is reimposing an array of lockdown restrictions, including the closure of schools, in the central city of Leicester after a spike in coronavirus infections.
Counties told to use new mail voting info, per court order
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee election officials on Monday distributed guidance required by a judge for counties to update their absentee voting information to reflect a court-ordered voting-by-mail option for …
Senate Democratic primary heads to finish line in Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — One of Kentucky's most unpredictable political races in years is headed toward the wire Tuesday, but it's taking a full week after the June 23 primary to sort out a possible photo finish in t…
Administration skips hearing on violence against protesters
WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the U.S. Park Police refused to appear Monday to answer lawmakers’ questions on violence against demonstrators and journalists outside the White House, saying he couldn’t as long as th…
Distancing from Trump? Some Republicans step up critiques
WASHINGTON (AP) — For more than three years, President Donald Trump instilled such fear in the Republican Party's leaders that most kept criticism of his turbulent leadership or inconsistent politics to themselves.