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…
Gov. Whitmer closes all Michigan schools amid COVID-19 scare
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday that, effective Monday, all of the state's public and private schools will closed for three weeks through April 5 to combat the spread of a rising …
Alabama official: Expect coronavirus cases in 'coming days'
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama's state health officer cautioned Thursday that people should expect coronavirus cases in coming days in the state, and lawmakers approved additional money for coronavirus testing and…
Amid school closures, 10 new coronavirus cases in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan reported 10 additional coronavirus cases Thursday, raising the state's tally to 12, as some K-12 schools began announcing weekslong closures while others began training staff to poten…
Wyoming governor signs two-year state budget with 19 vetoes
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed a two-year state budget Thursday while vetoing 19 sections that included across-the-board spending cuts to address falling revenue from the state's coal, oil an…
House joins Senate in approving school voucher bill
PHOENIX (AP) — Democrats in the Arizona House opposed to the expansion of school vouchers failed to block a Republican-backed measure that would slightly increase the reach of the state's current program.
Michigan OKs $25M to fight virus; K-12 schools start closing
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Legislature on Thursday approved the spending of up to $25 million to combat the new coronavirus, and some K-12 schools began announcing weekslong closures while others began trai…
First virus death in Georgia; Atlanta-area schools closing
ATLANTA (AP) — A 67-year-old man who was hospitalized is Georgia's first death from coronavirus, Gov. Brian Kemp said Thursday as some of the state's largest school districts announced plans to close indefinitely.
Florida lawmakers send shark fin ban to governor
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Selling and possessing shark fins could soon be outlawed in Florida, joining about a dozen other states in attempting to protect sharks and remove the delicacy from restaurant menus.
Wyoming woman with 'mild to moderate' COVID-19 improving
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A woman infected with Wyoming's first known case of the coronavirus has been improving while staying in voluntary isolation at home, health officials said Thursday.
Florida Legislature sends governor e-Verify bill
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Public employers and companies that contract with them will have to use the federal e-Verify database to determine employees' eligibility to work in the U.S. under a bill sent to Gov. Ron D…
Florida poised to raise smoking, vaping age to 21
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is poised to raise the minimum age for smoking and vaping to 21.
No visitors: Congress hunkers down against coronavirus
WASHINGTON (AP) — The notes started popping up on Congress’ office doors this week. Elbow greetings only. A six-foot radius. And that’s for lawmakers who are taking visitors at all.
GOP Rep. Hunter's son pens letter to keep dad out of jail
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The teenage son of convicted California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter has penned a letter asking the court to not send his dad to jail for misspending his campaign funds.
Virus testing is a 'failing,' leaving cases uncounted
NEW YORK (AP) — Seven weeks have passed since the first U.S. case of coronavirus was announced, and the government is failing to account for what could be thousands of additional infections because of ongoing probl…
Biden pivots focus to Trump amid coronavirus concerns
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Joe Biden