Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
In Grant County Judge debate, Bevier, Chadwick place emphasis on experience and constitutional interpretation
EPHRATA — The two candidates seeking Grant County Superior Court Judge Position 3 highlighted their legal experien…
California lawmakers to hold hearing about virus spending
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers will hold their first oversight hearing to examine how Gov. Gavin Newsom has spent more than $2 billion in taxpayer money in just one month to combat the coronavirus c…
National forests in New Mexico impose campfire restrictions
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — National forests around New Mexico are imposing campfire restrictions to protect the health and safety of employees and communities during the coronavirus outbreak.
New Mexico to join pilot US effort on contact tracing
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's governor says the state has accepted an invitation from the White House to participate in a pilot program to improve and expand contact tracing for coronavirus infections in effor…
Hawaii unions push back at governor's salary cut proposal
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii state worker unions on Wednesday pushed back at what they said was a proposal from Gov. David Ige to cut employee pay by 20% to cope with a sharp drop in tax revenue brought on by the coronav…
Wolf mandates masks as GOP seeks to relax business shutdown
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Going to a Pennsylvania supermarket, home improvement center, pharmacy or other business that remains open during the pandemic? Be prepared to wear a mask. That goes for workers, too.
Federal judge denies Harris County pretrial bond relief
HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge has reluctantly denied a motion to allow Harris County judges to release some county jail inmates on no-cost bonds as officials try to reduce jail populations because social distancin…
Pence to highlight ventilator production during Wis. visit
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence is traveling to Wisconsin next week to highlight the production of ventilators during the coronavirus pandemic.
Churches sue California governor over antivirus orders
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Three Southern California churches that want to keep their doors open during the coronavirus outbreak sued Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials on Monday, arguing that social distancing or…
Justice Dept. watchdog to inspect prisons amid virus spread
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department’s inspector general will conduct remote inspections of Bureau of Prisons facilities to ensure they are following best practices to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus aft…
Mayor: Drive-in church, with windows up, OK during pandemic
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Facing two freedom-of-religion lawsuits and pushback from the U.S. attorney general, a Mississippi mayor said Wednesday that people may attend drive-in church services during the
DeSantis moves department head to handle unemployment claims
MIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis assigned a troubleshooter Wednesday to take over the state’s flat-footed response to the explosion in unemployment claims that followed mandatory business closings brought on …
Clarification: Virus Outbreak-California-Closing Churches
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — In a story published April 13, 2020, The Associated Press reported that Rodney Howard-Browne, a Florida-based charismatic Christian pastor who prayed over President Donald Trump in the Oval…
Self-employed and gig workers in Utah can get unemployment
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah residents who are self-employed or work in the gig industry can file for unemployment benefits amid the coronavirus outbreak, state officials announced Wednesday.
Arkansas lawmakers give initial approval to budget plan
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers on Wednesday gave initial approval to the state's budget as they near the end of the session in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
California allows some freshwater fishing bans over virus
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California regulators on Wednesday voted to allow temporary limits on freshwater fishing in some rural communities where local officials are concerned out-of-towners could spread the coronavirus …