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 declares emergency to help balance state budget
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Facing an estimated $54.3 billion shortfall, California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday declared a "budget emergency" for the first time so the Legislature can pull from the state's savings …
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…
Amid coverage losses, 'Obamacare' enrollments are up
WASHINGTON (AP) — Close to half a million people who lost their health insurance amid the economic shutdown to slow the spread of COVID-19 have gotten coverage through HealthCare.gov, the government reported Thursd…
North Carolina legislative session nearing an end
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators worked Thursday toward completing their annual session, one dominated by COVID-19-related funding and policy measures, including Republican attempts to challenge Gov.…
Kansas communities see dramatic spikes in coronavirus cases
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A spike in reported coronavirus cases has prompted a northeast Kansas community to take a step back in reopening its economy and led the commanding general of a nearby U.S. Army post to restrict…
Montana COVID cases increase, nursing home visits allowed
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana reported 37 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, the highest daily number since the pandemic began, pushing the state's total to more than 800 cases.
Walz approves $841M in federal COVID aid to cities, counties
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz approved plans Thursday to distribute $841 million in federal coronavirus aid to cities and counties across Minnesota, along with another $12 million for food banks and food shelves…
Audit finds Oklahoma agency failed to verify Medicaid income
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An audit of Oklahoma’s Medicaid agency released on Thursday found income eligibility was not verified for about 37% of its recipients.
After George Floyd, Louisiana lawmakers back policing study
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Amid a national conversation about law enforcement's use of force with people of color, Louisiana lawmakers are creating a task force to study police training, misconduct and racial bias rec…
Army is taking limited steps to counter racial divisiveness
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army will take a few limited steps to counter racial divisiveness among its force, but is delaying a number of more contentious decisions, including recommendations on banning Confederate symb…
Wildfire near Mount Rushmore contained ahead of Trump visit
CUSTER, S.D. (AP) — A wildfire located near Mount Rushmore in South Dakota has been completely contained, according to Gov. Kristi Noem's office.
Georgia lawmakers say they'll avoid worst cuts in budget
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lawmakers say that they've scraped up enough money to prevent state agencies from sending employees home for unpaid furlough days in the coming year, and say K-12 school districts should be a…
Mexico's treasury secretary tests positive for coronavirus
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s treasury secretary said Thursday he has tested positive for the coronavirus and will self-isolate while working from home.
Judge disregards US support of Hawaii quarantine challenge
HONOLULU (AP) — A judge said she will “disregard” the U.S. Department of Justice's statement in support of a lawsuit challenging Hawaii's quarantine, imposed on arriving travelers in an attempt to protect against t…
Tillman, 2nd on N.C. Senate seniority list, to step down
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A long-serving member in the North Carolina Senate announced Thursday that he'll resign next week.