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…
Nursing home with 7 virus deaths had health citations
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco Bay Area nursing home where seven residents with coronavirus died has a history of citations for health and safety issues, including infection control, according to state …
Alaska extends school closures, restrictions over virus
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — State officials extended a closure of schools and restrictions on travel and public activities meant to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, as Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said Thursday the …
US job losses surge as world leaders urge Easter distancing
NEW YORK (AP) — A staggering 16.8 million Americans lost their jobs in just three weeks, a measure of how fast the coronavirus has brought world economies to their knees. Meanwhile, religious leaders worldwide Thur…
Nursing home with 6 virus deaths had health citations
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco Bay Area nursing home where seven residents with coronavirus died has a history of citations for health and safety issues, including infection control, according to state …
New Mexico plans self-isolation spots for those with virus
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is deploying self-isolation locations with food, lodging and mental counseling for members of its health care workforce who have tested positive for the coronavirus as well as Nativ…
Oklahoma governor signs two bills for funding during crisis
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday signed two bills taking funds from Oklahoma's Rainy Day fund to offset a $416 million budget hole blamed largely on an economic downturn due to the coronavirus.
Judge blocks ban on some Texas abortions during outbreak
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge has ordered that Texas abortion clinics may continue to perform abortions in some cases, either those using medication or those involving patients for whom delays would pose an …
California lawmakers want details on Newsom's big mask buy
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers want a fuller accounting of Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to buy 500 million protective masks, with a top budget official on Thursday seeking details on how the state will …
Biden joins growing call for release of racial data on virus
DETROIT (AP) — Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden is joining a growing call for the release of comprehensive racial data on the coronavirus pandemic, which he says has put a spotlight on inequity and the impa…
Arizona faces estimated $1.1B budget shortfall due to virus
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona faces an estimated $1.1 billion budget shortfall in the coming year because of the massive economic hit caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the Legislature's top budget analyst said T…
California governor encouraged by drop in ICU placements
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California saw its first daily decrease in intensive care hospitalizations during the coronavirus outbreak, a key indicator of how many health care workers and medical supplies the state n…
Partisan tempers flare over Minnesota's COVID-19 response
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Partisan tempers flared over Minnesota's response to the COVID-19 outbreak Thursday as Republicans expressed frustration with Democratic Gov. Tim Walz for extending his stay-at-home order through…
US expels thousands to Mexico after largely halting asylum
A U.S. Border Patrol agent wouldn't let Jackeline Reyes explain why she and her 15-year-old daughter fled Honduras and needed asylum, pointing to the coronavirus. It was just days after the Trump administration ess…
North Carolina store, business occupancy begin next week
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina groceries and other retailers must meet capacity restrictions and cleanliness standards if they want to keep operating next week under expanding social distance directives to blu…
Arkansas advises abortion clinic to halt out-of-state visits
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas' top health official on Thursday encouraged a Little Rock abortion clinic to stop seeing out-of-state patients during the coronavirus outbreak but stopped short of ordering the fac…