Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Dent, Garcia outline budget priorities, leadership approaches
EPHRATA — As voters in Washington's 13th Legislative District prepare to cast their ballots, they will choose betw…
Trump proposes sweeping rollback of environmental oversight
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a dramatic rollback of environmental oversight, President Donald Trump took action Thursday to clear the way and speed up development of a wide range of commercial projects by cutting back fede…
Lawmakers: Inslee's homelessness plan unlikely to pass
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Top lawmakers said Thursday that Gov. Jay Inslee's plan to use hundreds of millions of dollars from the state's emergency budget reserve to combat Washington's homelessness crisis was unlikely…
Nebraska voters can soon request early primary ballots
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska voters who want to cast an early ballot in the upcoming primary election can request their ballot as early as next week.
W.Va. Gov. Justice creates narcotics intelligence unit
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Thursday created a state narcotics intelligence unit to focus on drug trafficking.
Trump boasts Iranian general's death was 'American justice'
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — President Donald Trump used his first campaign election rally of 2020 to argue that he served up “American justice" by ordering a drone strike to take out Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, while je…
New Mexico agency asks Iranian group about suspicious acts
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Homeland Security officials recently asked an Iranian American cultural group in the state if they've seen any suspicious activities — an inquiry the group president said raises …
Advocates warn citizenship, digital divide may affect Census
Leaders of advocacy groups warned lawmakers on Thursday that the fight over a failed citizenship question, the digital divide and the wording of questions on Hispanic origin and race may lead to the undercounting o…
Independents could decide California's Democratic primary
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — In the battle for
Minnesota commission votes to cap most probation at 5 years
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Probation sentences for most felony convictions in Minnesota would be capped at five years under a plan approved by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission on Thursday that's aimed at …
Sheriffs oppose red flag gun legislation in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Sheriffs across much of the state are opposed to a proposal from Democratic lawmakers that would allow police or relatives to ask a court to temporarily take away guns from people who might hu…
Longtime Democratic Wisconsin state senator to retire
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Longtime Democratic state Sen. Dave Hansen said Thursday that he'll retire rather than seek re-election this fall, creating an open seat in a Republican-leaning region and making it that much h…
California governor to announce budget expanding benefits
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom will announce his state spending plan on Friday, flush with a multi-billion surplus that state lawmakers expect he will use to give full health benefits to mor…
California could be 1st state to sell own prescription drugs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California could become the first state to make its own prescription drugs under a proposal announced Thursday by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who says it would “take the power out of the hands of g…
Pritzker calls 2012 email alleging rape cover-up 'horrific'
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday denounced as “horrific” a newly disclosed email a powerful lobbyist sent seven years ago to top aides in the previous governor's office that cryptica…
Kaul: More needs to be done to combat sex trafficking
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin are not consistently reporting human trafficking cases, leading to incomplete information and is likely undercounting the number of people who are forced i…