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…
California lawmakers finish work closing $54B deficit
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Legislature on Friday finished work on a state spending plan that closes an historic $54.3 billion deficit by temporarily raising taxes on businesses, cutting funding to cou…
Arkansas reports 678 new COVID-19 cases, 7 more deaths
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas on Friday reported its largest single-day increase yet in cases of the coronavirus among those who are not in prison, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said.
Measures that passed or failed in Georgia General Assembly
ATLANTA (AP) — Lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly on Friday are concluding the regular 2020 session of the General Assembly after a months-long recess because of COVID-19. Besides their annual duty of passin…
Kansas governor, GOP scrap again over COVID-19 budget plan
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' Democratic governor is locked in a new partisan dispute with the Republican-controlled Legislature over her plan to largely paper over a massive budget shortfall tied to the coronavirus …
Use of plastic bags still allowed in Bernalillo County
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Bernalillo County will continue to allow for the use of single-use plastic bags amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
California counties backtrack on reopening as virus surges
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — With the coronavirus surging, at least four California counties on Friday paused or prepared to backtrack on their reopening plans in a bid to halt the spread of the virus. Gov. Gavin Newsom ur…
Democrats warn against overconfidence in fight against Trump
President Donald Trump is entering the final four-month stretch before Election Day presiding over a country that faces a public health crisis, mass unemployment and a reckoning over racism. His Democratic challeng…
Nevada to limit public access to special legislative session
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — When Nevada lawmakers convene for a special session to address coronavirus-related budget shortfalls, the normally bustling legislative building will be closed to the public.
Native Americans protesting Trump trip to Mount Rushmore
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plans to kick off Independence Day with a showy display at Mount Rushmore have angered Native Americans, who view the monument as a desecration of land violently st…
Q&A: Overturning 'Obamacare' during a pandemic
WASHINGTON (AP) — The decade-old health care law that has divided Americans even as it expanded coverage and protected people with preexisting conditions is being put to yet another test. Amid a pandemic, President…
Lawsuit: Kern County court denied moms entry to proceedings
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A lawsuit says Kern County Superior Court is unlawfully denying the public's access to court proceedings despite resuming jury trials as the county began reopening for business.
Whitmer lifts eviction freeze; $50M in rent aid coming
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday that a monthslong moratorium on evictions amid the coronavirus pandemic will end in mid-July, when landlords can start applying for $50 million in government …
New Mexico Supreme Court chief justice postpones retirement
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The top judge on the New Mexico Supreme Court is postponing her scheduled retirement from the state high court from July 31 until later in the year because of a late-emerging snag.
Coronavirus task force briefs — but not at White House
WASHINGTON (AP) — There was no presidential appearance and no White House backdrop when the government's coronavirus task force briefed the public for the first time since April — in keeping with an administration …
Pelosi pushes Senate with House passage of George Floyd bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Passage of the House Democrats' far-reaching police overhaul bill returned attention to the Senate on Friday, as the divided Congress struggles to address the