Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Homesley, Falstad share plans for growing county, auditors office
EPHRATA — As Grant County continues to grow, the county auditor's office is tasked with keeping pace with increasi…
Louisiana governor moves primary because of coronavirus
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's governor Friday postponed the state's presidential primaries due to fears of the coronavirus, making it the first state to push back its election because of the outbreak.
New Hampshire joins other states in declaring emergency
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu declared a state of emergency Friday due to the new coronavirus, saying that while the risk to the public remains low, the move was necessary to allow the state …
Virus fears leave Arizona schools, lawmakers scrambling
PHOENIX (AP) — Concerns over the coronavirus pandemic led some schools in Arizona to announce closures on Friday while others opted to remain open. And just days before the Democratic presidential primary, there wa…
Despite coronavirus, Trump keeps shaking hands
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump, a self-described germaphobe, can’t seem to stop shaking hands -- even in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic.
Governor shutters Pennsylvania schools for at least 2 weeks
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — All schools in Pennsylvania will close for two weeks, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday as the state undertook sweeping measures aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus.
Uproar over mailing of primary ballots in Maricopa County
PHOENIX (AP) — A top election official in Arizona's most populous county took the unprecedented step Friday of ordering ballots for next week's Democratic presidential primary mailed to all voters who normally cast…
What died, what survived in the South Dakota Legislature
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota lawmakers headed home on Friday after pushing the budget and a few proposals over the finish line this week.
California's January jobs report reflects rosy past
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Facing major disruptions across nearly all economic sectors because of the coronavirus, California officials on Friday sent the public a postcard from the state's rosier past: The January …
Leaders say Minnesota Capitol won't close due to COVID-19
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders declined Friday to close the Minnesota Capitol but the way lawmakers conduct business will change due to COVID-19.
Minnesota governor declares state of emergency over COVID-19
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency Friday and issued a series of strong recommendations for steps Minnesotans should take to limit the spread of COVID-19, with an emphasis …
Governor closes schools, to delay primary due to coronavirus
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's governor on Friday closed K-12 public schools across the state for roughly a month, postponed the presidential primary until June and banned gatherings of more than 250 people, i…
Slovenia's new government sworn in, pledges to fight virus
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia’s new, right-leaning government was sworn in on Friday, pledging stronger efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
Michigan bans gatherings of 250-plus; Catholic Masses stop
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan was hit by more cases and more fallout from the coronavirus on Friday, as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer banned all gatherings of more than 250 people and the Roman Catholic church stopped Mas…
President Trump says he will 'most likely' be tested for new virus 'fairly soon,' but says he has 'no symptoms'
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Trump says he will 'most likely' be tested for new virus 'fairly soon,' but says he has 'no symptoms.'
Missouri NAACP calls for top election official to resign
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri NAACP on Friday called for the state's top election official to step down in part over his criticism of the Kansas City mayor, who complained about issues voting during this week's