Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Allegations of racial bias swirl around embattled WA agency
The leader of Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families was questioned this week about her agency’s …
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…
Defense for some Capitol rioters: election misinformation
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Falsehoods about the election helped bring insurrectionists to the Capitol on Jan. 6, and now some who are facing criminal charges for their actions during the riot hope their gullibility mi…
More states ease lingering virus rules as vaccine rates rise
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, more U.S. cities and states are shrugging off lingering COVID-19 restrictions as vaccination rates rise and the number of infections falls.
Eyeing calendar, Biden to end GOP infrastructure talks soon
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden wants to wrap up infrastructure negotiations soon with Senate Republicans and is looking ahead to June action in the House after finding their idea of tapping leftover COVID-19…
South Africa returns to stricter lockdown, virus 'surging'
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Sunday that his country will return to stricter lockdown measures in the face of a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases that indicate the vir…
Judge: Blame in Italy cable car deaths rests with technician
ROME (AP) — The three suspects in Italy’s cable car disaster that killed 14 people were allowed to leave prison Sunday after a judge indicated that for now blame fell on just one: a service technician who intention…