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…
Noel Francisco, top Trump administration lawyer, departing
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer announced Wednesday he is leaving the job after three years in which he represented the government in a series of high-profile cases.
Russian nuclear-capable bombers fly near Alaska
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian nuclear-capable strategic bombers have flown near Alaska on a mission demonstrating the military's long-range strike capability.
New VOA chief seeks to ease fears of any Trump propaganda
WASHINGTON (AP) — The new chief of U.S.-funded international broadcasting sought Wednesday to play down fears that he intends to turn the Voice of America and its sister outlets into Trump administration propaganda…
Racism in US in rare spotlight at debate at UN rights body
GENEVA (AP) — The brother of George Floyd made a heartfelt plea on Wednesday to the U.N.’s top human rights body, urging it to launch intense international scrutiny of systemic racism, the killing of black people b…
Kentucky GOP brawl focuses on Trump, racial matters
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentuckians are accustomed to bare-knuckled politics, but the Bluegrass State brawl between a Republican congressman and his primary challenger has turned especially ugly.
Senate approves $2.8B plan to boost conservation, parks
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has approved a bipartisan bill that would spend nearly $3 billion on conservation projects, outdoor recreation and maintenance of national parks and other public lands, a measure suppor…
Whitmer: K-12 schools can reopen; rules coming on June 30
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday that K-12 schools can reopen for in-person instruction as long as Michigan's successful containment of the coronavirus doesn't lapse, subject to safety rul…
Senate ethics panel drops inquiry into Loeffler stock trades
The Senate Ethics Committee found no evidence of wrongdoing by Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia after investigating stock trades she made weeks before the coronavirus caused markets to plunge.
EU leader vows to fight lack of diversity in EU institutions
The European Union's top official acknowledged a lack of racial and ethnic diversity within the bloc's institutions as she pledged Wednesday to keep talking about racism and discrimination.
Ohio e-signature ballot case appealed to U.S. Supreme Court
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ballot campaigns in Ohio asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to weigh in on whether they have the legal right to see signature-gathering rules relaxed during the coronavirus pandemic.
New York governor signs order making Juneteenth a paid holiday for state employees
NEW YORK (AP) — New York governor signs order making Juneteenth a paid holiday for state employees.
New York declares Juneteenth a holiday for state employees
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York’s governor signed an executive order Wednesday recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the U.S.
EU wants explanation after lawmaker reports police violence
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Parliament said Wednesday it will complain to Belgian authorities after a member of the EU legislature born in Africa said she was harassed by police while trying to take photos of an i…
Georgia leader proposes expanded version of hate crimes law
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's lieutenant governor proposed his own version of a hate crimes law Wednesday, calling on lawmakers to protect broad categories from bias crimes, including people victimized because of their …
Regional officials in Germany say the number of COVID-19 cases linked to a meatpacking plant is up to 657
BERLIN (AP) — Regional officials in Germany say the number of COVID-19 cases linked to a meatpacking plant is up to 657.