Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Washington’s gas tax is going up, but state transportation revenue is falling short
Washington state’s gas tax, already among the highest in the nation, is going up next week. The state’s per-gal…
Germany hits vaccination milestone but wary of delta variant
BERLIN (AP) — Germany has now given at least one coronavirus vaccine shot to more than half its population but officials urged people Friday to remain cautious and slow the spread of the more contagious delta varia…
Biden's silence on executions adds to death penalty disarray
CHICAGO (AP) — Activists widely expected Joe Biden to take swift action against the death penalty as the first sitting president to oppose capital punishment, especially since an unprecedented spate of executions b…
Iran votes in presidential poll tipped in hard-liner's favor
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranians voted Friday in a presidential election dominated by a hard-line protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after authorities disqualified nearly all of his stronge…
AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
LONDON (AP) — June 9 – June 16, 2021
After tumultuous year, can Portland make a comeback?
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The smell of fresh empanadas wafted through the stands at Portland's Saturday Market. People talked through their masks with artists as others sifted through fork windchimes, crystal necklaces…
Officers resign from Portland, Oregon, protest response unit
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A team of 50 police officers who serve on a specialized crowd-control unit in Oregon and respond to Portland's ongoing, often violent protests have resigned en masse after a team member was in…
US to spend $3.2B on treatments for COVID-19, other viruses
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is devoting $3.2 billion to speed development of antiviral pills to treat COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses that could turn into pandemics.
Mistrial halts case on minimum wage for immigrant detainees
SEATTLE (AP) — A trial over whether the GEO Group must pay minimum wage — instead of $1 a day — to immigration detainees who perform tasks like cooking and cleaning at its for-profit detention center in Washington …
Top general 'shocked' by AP report on AWOL guns, mulls fix
Shocked by an Associated Press investigation into the loss and theft of military guns, the Pentagon's top general signaled Thursday that he will consider a “systematic fix” to how the armed services keep account of…
US Army has hidden or downplayed loss of firearms for years
The U.S. Army has hidden or downplayed the extent to which its firearms disappear, significantly understating losses and thefts even as some weapons are used in street crimes.
House votes to repeal 2002 Iraq War authorization
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-led House, with President Joe Biden's backing, passed legislation Thursday to repeal the 2002 authorization for use of military force in Iraq, a step that supporters said was necess…
Biden signs bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as pres…
Heated debate before US Catholic bishops vote on Communion
In impassioned debate Thursday, U.S. Catholic bishops clashed over how to address concerns about Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, who continue to receive Communion despite supporting abortion ri…
Newspaper carrier confronted by sheriff files $5M tort claim
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A Black newspaper carrier confronted by Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer has filed a legal claim seeking at least $5 million in damages.
Biden abroad: Pitching America to welcoming if wary allies
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden spent