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…
Whitmer bans events, gatherings of more than 250 people
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday ordered the cancellation or postponement of all events and assemblies in a shared space of more than 250 people, exempting industrial work, mass transi…
Idaho governor declares emergency due to coronavirus
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little declared a state of emergency Friday because of the new coronavirus.
More coronavirus cases reported; schools closures spread
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — School closings began radiating farther from the Philadelphia area, with schools in at least 10 Pennsylvania counties closed Friday as the state mounted a sweeping social distancing measure a…
Trump to hold news conference as he seeks to calm virus fear
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will hold a press conference to address the spiraling coronavirus pandemic as he seeks to calm a panicked nation amid mixed messages and growing criticism of his administrat…
Caretaker PM Orban asked to head new Romanian government
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania's president on Friday asked the quarantined caretaker prime minister, who lost a confidence vote in parliament last month, to try to form a new government after opposition parties …
NJ lawmakers plan COVID-19 bills, change schedules
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey lawmakers have set votes on legislation aimed at helping residents deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.
US general: US strikes destroy weapons depots, more remain
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. retaliatory airstrikes against militants in Iraq destroyed five weapons depots, but the top U.S commander for the Middle East acknowledged Friday that there are many similar sites that th…
Michigan stops prison visits amid virus outbreak
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan on Friday ceased in-person visits to state prisoners to limit their exposure to the coronavirus.
Positive tests for coronavirus increase to 33 in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The number of Louisiana residents who have tested positive for coronavirus jumped Friday to 33, centered largely in the New Orleans area, according to the state health department's latest fi…
Minneapolis-area district cancels classes over virus threat
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — One Minnesota school district canceled classes Friday over concerns about the coronavirus and the Minnesota House canceled all meetings through the weekend.
Robbinsdale schools cancel classes amid COVID-19 concerns
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — One Minnesota school district canceled classes Friday over concerns about COVID-19, and the Minnesota House canceled all meetings until Monday.
Trump administration: $1.3M for fast virus test development
President Donald Trump's administration announced Friday it is awarding $1.3 million to two companies trying to develop rapid COVID-19 tests that could detect whether a person is positive for the new coronavirus wi…
US general: 'fairly certain' North Korea has COVID-19 cases
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top American general in South Korea said Friday he is fairly certain North Korea has not been spared by the
Chairwoman of Congressional Black Caucus endorses Joe Biden
The chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus has endorsed Joe Biden for president, an influential nod of support that could bolster his 2020 Democratic campaign.
Democracy in times of virus: France maintains elections
PARIS (AP) — The new virus has shuttered all schools, banished cheek-kissing and upended daily life across France, but President Emmanuel Macron won't let it disrupt democracy, so he's maintaining nationwide electi…