Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Mayor Peter Sharp takes oath of office
SOAP LAKE – Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess adminstered the oath of office to Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday.…
Dent bills move through WA Legislature
OLYMPIA – Four of Rep. Tom Dent’s, R-Moses Lake, bills have made significant progress in the state legislature over the last week. House Bill 1243, which ch…
Kimberly Bender's law increases penalties for custodial misconduct
OLYMPIA — On March 30, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law an act that increases the penalties for the crime of custodial sexual misconduct in the second degree. …
Two ag bills pass WA House
OLYMPIA – A pair of bills sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, aimed at supporting the state’s agriculture community passed the state House Wednesday. “…
WA House passes police pursuit bill
OLYMPIA – The state House of Representatives voted this week to approve a measure that will restore vehicular pursuits for police under certain circumstances. …
Central WA receives $7M in federal grants
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two federal grants, adding up to more than $7 million, awarded by the Bureau of Reclamation aim to reduce the loss of irrigated water and improve salmon fishing opportunities in Central Washingto…
Pettigrew to run Lotto Commission
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee named Eric Pettigrew to serve as director of the Washington State Lottery Commission Tuesday, according to a release by Inslee’s offi…
Fed grant funding to help West Canal, Yakima River
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A pair of federal grants will help save fish on a stretch of the Yakima River and allow for the replacement of a 1,500-foot-long section of the Columbia Basin Project’s West Canal, according to a…
Samaritan Healthcare construction bond goes to voters
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare voters will be asked to approve or reject a $130 million construction bond request in a special election April 25. Ballots we…
Bill abolishing advisory votes passes WA House
OLYMPIA – The State House of Representatives passed legislation Monday, sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue), to remove the state’s requirement for adv…
MLIRD bill passes
OLYMPIA – Senate Bill 5460, a bill intended to restore Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District’s ability to fund itself, passed the state House Wedne…
House work: A day in the office with Wash. Rep. Tom Dent
OLYMPIA — A day in the life of a legislator never looks the same from one day to the next, but here’s a snippet into a day at the Capitol for Rep. Tom Dent, R-…
Livestock identification bill signed into law
OLYMPIA – Thursday, a bill sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake) was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee, coincidentally on Beef Day at the Capitol. …
Torres pest management bill signed into law
OLYMPIA — A pair of bills authored by Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, and currently making their way through the state legislature, will change how Washington stat…
Port of Warden to receive $2.5M to improve land
WARDEN — The Port of Warden will receive around $2.5 million in federal highway funding to help improve access to the port’s industrial land on the southwest s…
State transpo budget includes $14.5M for Connell rail project
CONNELL — The Columbia Basin Railroad is slated to receive $14.5 million in state funding to help pay for the rebuilding of the railroad’s Connell interchange,…