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…
Maui County reports coronavirus cluster among hospital staff
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii officials said Wednesday they have identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Maui island's only hospital as it disclosed 15 employees of the facility have tested positive.
As pandemic deepens, Trump cycles through targets to blame
NEW YORK (AP) — First, it was the media that was at fault. Then, Democratic governors came under fire. China, President Barack Obama and federal watchdogs have all had a turn in the crosshairs. And now it’s
Staff no-shows, deaths hit California nursing facilities
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California nursing home where nearly three dozen residents have the coronavirus was evacuated Wednesday after staff members failed to show up to work while six infected residents…
Virus-hit nursing home evacuated as staff stays away
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Nursing homes are one of the highest-risk centers for coronavirus outbreaks, with several hundred patients infected throughout California and six deaths in a single facility in the San Fran…
Texas abortion clinics try again to undo ban during outbreak
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Abortion clinics in Texas are again trying to reopen for some women during the coronavirus pandemic after a federal appeals court allowed an executive order by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to st…
First cases of coronavirus confirmed in Arizona's prisons
PHOENIX (AP) — The first two cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed among the 42,000 inmates in Arizona’s prisons, but authorities declined to say whether any of the thousands of corrections employees who cyc…
Trump quietly shuts down asylum at US borders to fight virus
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A U.S. Border Patrol agent wouldn't let Jackeline Reyes explain why she and her 15-year-old daughter needed asylum, pointing to the coronavirus. That confrontation in Texas came just days after the…
Attorney general: Alaska borough can't seize airline assets
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska borough leader has signed an order to assume control of the local facilities of an airline that filed for bankruptcy protection because of the economic damage of the coronavirus. …
Virus fears may free Ghost Ship fire defendant from jail
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A man charged with manslaughter in the Ghost Ship blaze that killed 36 partygoers at a firetrap warehouse in Northern California may be released from jail because of the coronavirus outbreak,…
Biden vs. Trump: General election battle is now set
The stage is set for November.
Sanders drops 2020 bid, leaving Biden as likely nominee
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders ended his presidential bid on Wednesday, making Joe Biden the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge President Donald Trump in a general election campaign that will be wag…
Massive effort to get Los Angeles homeless into hotels
LOS ANGELES (AP) — To curb the coronavirus spread, Los Angeles has embarked on a massive effort to bring thousands of homeless people off the streets and into hotels to protect them and others from infection.
UNR President Johnson postpones departure until Dec. 31
RENO, Nev. (AP) — The state Board of Regents has abandoned plans to appoint an acting president at the University of Nevada, Reno while it searches for a permanent replacement for outgoing President Marc Johnson af…
Trump to open more wildlife refuge land to hunting, fishing
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Trump administration plans to open 2.3 million acres of land for hunting and fishing at more than 100 national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries under a proposal unveiled Wednesday that…
Feds loosen virus rules to let essential workers return
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a first, small step toward reopening the country, the Trump administration issued new guidelines to make it easier for essential workers who have been