Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Grant County Republican Party to stage debate in Ephrata
EPHRATA — Grant County voters will have an opportunity this evening to hear directly from candidates seeking two o…
Arizona House OKs virus liability shield for businesses
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona House voted Thursday to give businesses sweeping protections from lawsuits if their customers or employees get sick from the coronavirus and to eliminate criminal penalties for violating …
Increased Missouri virus testing to focus on nursing homes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday said the state plans to focus on widespread testing at nursing homes and state-run sites including prisons as it ramps up to a goal of 7,500 coronavirus te…
Catholic, Lutheran churches to defy Walz and hold services
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Roman Catholic and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations across Minnesota plan to resume worship services in defiance of the state's ban on gatherings of more than 10 people, their leaders…
Coronavirus data used in decision to reopen Georgia flawed
ATLANTA (AP) — Data on coronavirus infections that was a key driver in Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s aggressive push to reopen the state was flawed and may have distorted perceptions of progress against the virus.
More than 51K file for unemployment in Maryland
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland is widely expanding access to coronavirus testing, to people without appointments or symptoms — a step that epidemiologists say is key to containing the spread of COVID-19.
New Louisiana unemployment applications lowest since March
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — About 28,800 Louisiana residents filed for unemployment last week -- more than 12 times as many as a year earlier, but the lowest number since
Data breach hits Florida unemployment system
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Some Florida residents who have made unemployment claims may have had personal data stolen, officials said Thursday.
Coronavirus shapes Montana governor race as primary nears
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The battle against the coronavirus is helping shape the race for Montana governor and giving Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney an unexpected boost as he faces a well-financed Democratic primary opponent w…
Tennessee asks high court to take over voucher lawsuit
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — School voucher advocates are asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to take up the case of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a program that would let parents use public tax dollars …
Hawaii's unemployment rate jumps to 22.3% amid pandemic
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 22.3% in April, up from just 2.4% the previous month, as hotels, restaurants and retailers closed amid efforts to curb the spread of the coro…
Arizona diagnostic firm gives 300 virus tests for homeless
PHOENIX (AP) — Sonora Quest Laboratories is working with local and national nonprofits and Maricopa County to test 300 members of the homeless community for the virus that causes COVID-19.
Whitmer OKs nonessential health procedures, small gatherings
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday further relaxed stay-at-home restrictions, saying a ban on nonessential health procedures would be lifted next week and that groups of up to 10 people can gat…
Hawaii lawmakers recess after addressing budget shortfall
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers on Thursday recessed after passing multiple funding bills designed to cope with the shock of the coronavirus pandemic that has hammered the state's tourism-dependent economy.
Dispute erupts over virus aid for Louisiana local government
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards' plan for steering more than $800 million in congressional aid to local government agencies struggling with
Kansas lawmakers push limits on governor as AG doubts orders
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans lawmakers in Kansas hashed out a plan Thursday night for limiting Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's power to direct the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic after the state's GOP…