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…
Trump global media chief faces GOP backlash over firings
WASHINGTON (AP) — The new chief of U.S.-funded global media is facing a conservative backlash over his decision to fire the heads of two international broadcasters, adding to concerns about the direction of the age…
Montana records most virus cases in a day since March 28
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana on Thursday reported 25 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, the most in a day since late March as health officials in one county recommended a return to more stringent restriction…
Ohio voting ballot campaign suspended after signature fight
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Backers of a ballot proposal aimed at changing Ohio's election laws to make it easier to vote suspended their campaign Thursday, citing their inability to collect signatures during the coronav…
Plan to study police tactics, bias in Louisiana near passage
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana would create a study group to make recommendations about how to improve police training and tactics, address misconduct and recognize racial bias by officers, under legislation tha…
Cyprus says common EU migration deal 'imperative'
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The European Union must forge a common migration policy that obligates member states to take in a proportional number of asylum-seekers and restricts EU funding access to any country that ref…
Pelosi orders removal of Confederate portraits from Capitol
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she is ordering the removal from the Capitol of portraits honoring four previous House speakers who served in the Confederacy.
Education funding at risk as New Mexico Legislature meets
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — High-stakes initiatives to improve lagging public schools are on the financial chopping block in New Mexico as economic turmoil from the coronavirus undermines the state's most significant com…
EPA drops regulation for contaminant harming babies' brains
The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday ended an Obama-era drive to regulate a widespread contaminant in drinking water linked to brain damage in infants. The agency rejected warnings that the move will mea…
Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to end legal protections for young immigrants
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to end legal protections for young immigrants.
Minnesota officials prepare to announce fall school plans
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — State health and education officials will announce plans Thursday for how Minnesota schools will conduct classes this fall after they were shut down this spring to slow the spread of the coronavi…
Jean Kennedy Smith dies at 92; last surviving sibling of JFK
Jean Kennedy Smith, who was the last surviving sibling of President John F. Kennedy and who as a U.S. ambassador played a key role in the peace process in Northern Ireland, has died, relatives said Thursday. She wa…
Former ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, last surviving sibling of JFK, dies at 92, her daughter tells The New York Times
NEW YORK (AP) — Former ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, last surviving sibling of JFK, dies at 92, her daughter tells The New York Times.
Democrat McClellan announces bid to be Virginia governor
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia state senator is launching a bid to be the state's next governor, which if successful would make her the nation's first African American woman to lead a state.
Progressive donor group announces $59M vote-by-mail campaign
WASHINGTON (AP) — A network of deep-pocketed progressive donors is launching a $59 million effort to encourage people of color to vote by mail in November, a step many Democrats view as crucial to turning out the p…
Bill proposes Mississippi center to boost rural telehealth
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A bill headed to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves would establish a center focused on increasing training opportunities, business development and Telehealth services in the state’s rural healthcar…