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…
Interior opens more of Alaska reserve to oil development
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — More than 18 million acres of a petroleum reserve in Alaska will be opened to oil and gas drilling under a plan released Thursday by federal officials, who touted it as being key to Preside…
Georgia House seeks vaping tax, doesn't move on tobacco tax
ATLANTA (AP) — Lawmakers in Georgia's House voted Thursday to regulate and tax vaping products, but aren't taking the chance to raise taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Ex-UN human rights chief calls for Hong Kong special envoy
LONDON (AP) — The United Nations’ former human rights chief and eight former U.N. special envoys urged the body’s secretary-general Thursday to appoint a special envoy on Hong Kong, saying they are deeply concerned…
Nevada lawmakers pass budget cuts, draw from relief funds
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada lawmakers painstakingly approved millions of dollars of unforeseen virus-related spending, reluctantly slashed millions in funding and cancelled plans for previously green-lighted pr…
After waves of COVID deaths, care homes face legal reckoning
PARIS (AP) — The muffled, gagging sounds in the background of the phone call filled Monette Hayoun with dread.
Virus whistleblower alleges retribution has only intensified
WASHINGTON (AP) — A government whistleblower ousted from a leading role in battling COVID-19 alleged Thursday that the Trump administration has intensified its campaign to punish him for revealing shortcomings in t…
Judge returns Ken Paxton fraud case to his home county
HOUSTON (AP) — A judge on Thursday ordered that the felony securities fraud case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton be returned to his home county in North Texas.
High court won't hear federal agent's Hawaii shooting case
HONOLULU (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a case over whether a federal agent should face a third trial over a fatal 2011 shooting in a Waikiki McDonald's restaurant.
Virus spike halts some elective surgeries, bar faces charge
PHOENIX (AP) — Some Arizona hospitals halted elective surgeries Thursday and a Scottsdale nightclub faces what appears to be the first misdemeanor charge of failure to enforce social distancing polices as the numbe…
Arkansas governor: No further reopening as virus cases surge
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday he is not ready to further ease restrictions on businesses while coronavirus cases continue surging, while the mayor of the state's capital city o…
Black Lives Matter network debunks Trump Twitter post
NEW YORK (AP) — The Black Lives Matter Global Network distanced itself Thursday from an unaffiliated activist whose comments sparked the ire of President Donald Trump, saying the activist was not speaking on behalf…
New Mexico Governor: 'We're on hold' as virus cases climb
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Efforts to open more of New Mexico’s economy are on hold because of an uptick in cases in recent days, a trend that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday called troubling and blamed on la…
Hawaii pays $15.8M for potentially fraudulent jobless claims
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii said Thursday it paid $15.8 million in benefits for potentially fraudulent jobless claims under a U.S. government program providing funds to independent contractors and self-employed individu…
House approves sweeping police overhaul from Democrats, responding to national outcry over George Floyd's death
WASHINGTON (AP) — House approves sweeping police overhaul from Democrats, responding to national outcry over George Floyd's death.
Dueling Trump-Biden events offer contrasting virus responses
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — A presidential campaign that has largely been frozen for several months because of