Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
3 council members renew oaths of office in Ephrata
EPHRATA — Three Ephrata City Council Members were sworn in Wednesday evening after winning their respective races.…
Turkish agents capture nephew of US-based cleric overseas
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish agents have captured a nephew of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen in an overseas operation and have brought him to Turkey where he faces prosecution, Turkey’s state-run news ag…
AP PHOTOS: Tiananmen crackdown exhibit opens in Hong Kong
HONG KONG (AP) — The organizer of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen Square candlelight vigil has opened its yearly exhibit of photographs and paraphernalia from the bloody 1989 crackdown in Beijing on those calling for …
Texas GOP puts final touches on sweeping voting restrictions
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Republicans dug in Saturday for a final weekend vote on some of the most restrictive new voting laws in the U.S., putting the last touches on a sweeping bill that would eliminate drive-th…
Iowa flap raises fears of politicized local election offices
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — It had been eight years since a Republican candidate even stepped forward to challenge Democrat Roxanna Moritz as the top elections official in Scott County, Iowa.
Spain criticized for unequally priced 'equality stamps'
MADRID (AP) — Spain’s postal service is feeling a backlash from its attempt to highlight racial inequality.
Ex-Speaker Ryan to GOP: Reject Trump, '2nd-rate imitations'
Emerging from two years of relative silence, former House Speaker Paul Ryan has joined the fight against Donald Trump, urging fellow conservatives to reject the former president's divisive politics and those Republ…
As pandemic wanes, Florida's DeSantis seizes national stage
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis struggled to contain the coronavirus pandemic, Democrats readied to pounce. The state's economy was in tatters, infections and deaths were on the rise and there…
Senate R&D bill to counter China shelved by GOP opposition
WASHINGTON (AP) — A sweeping Senate bill aimed at making the United States more competitive with China and shoring up domestic
The Latest: Germany hunts down possible fraud in virus tests
BERLIN — The German government is following up on media reports that coronavirus test centers across the country have overbilled authorities for the number of tests taken.
House allows college athletes to sign endorsements
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation to allow college athletes to make money on product endorsements.
Biden marks vaccine progress, thanks troops ahead of holiday
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — President Joe Biden started the Memorial Day weekend by visiting a rock climbing gym in northern Virginia as the state lifted all COVID-19 distancing and capacity restrictions at private busi…
US, Britain seek new WHO look into COVID origins in China
GENEVA (AP) — The United States and Britain are stepping up calls for the World Health Organization to take a deeper look into the possible origins of COVID-19, including a new visit to China where the first human …
WHO chief concedes 'slow' response to Congo sex abuse claims
LONDON (AP) — The head of the World Health Organization acknowledged the U.N. health agency's response to sexual abuse allegations involving employees who worked in Congo during an Ebola outbreak was “slow,” follow…
Dems walk, stop Texas GOP's sweeping voting restrictions
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Democrats pulled off a dramatic, last-ditch walkout in the state House of Representatives on Sunday night to block passage of one of the most restrictive voting bills in the U.S., leaving…
State GOP lawmakers try to limit teaching about race, racism
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Teachers and professors in Idaho will be prevented from “indoctrinating” students on race. Oklahoma teachers will be prohibited from saying certain people are inherently racist or oppressive, w…