Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
New Othello mayor, council members sworn into office.
OTHELLO — New Othello Mayor Ken Johnson and two of three new Othello City Council members were sworn in Monday dur…
Divided US Catholic bishops will debate Communion policy
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops plans to devote part of its national meeting next month to the sensitive issue of which Catholics are worthy of receiving Communion, despite calls for a delay.
Lawmakers say Louisiana sports betting could begin by fall
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — People in Louisiana could start betting on sports events as early as the fall through sports book sites, kiosk locations and mobile sites, under the bill setting up the wagering regulations …
Ex-Johnson aide lambasts UK government over COVID failures
LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s former chief aide lashed out Wednesday at the government he once served, saying people died “in horrific circumstances” because of authorities' failed response to t…
Face to face: June summit for Biden, Putin as tensions rise
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Russia's Vladimir Putin agreed Tuesday to meet next month in Geneva, a face-to-face encounter the White House hopes will help bring some predictability to a fraught relatio…
Turkish teams on mission to persuade the vaccine-reluctant
MARDIN, Turkey (AP) — In the medieval Turkish city of Mardin, Medine Ereli calls out to a team of medical workers walking along the town’s cobblestoned main street. Her 59-year old husband refuses to get vaccinated…
The Latest: Philippines officials warned to enforce lockdown
MANILA, Philippines — The president of the Philippines warns he will jail village leaders and police officers who don’t enforce pandemic lockdown restrictions.
Bereaved families slam ending of UK stadium disaster trial
LONDON (AP) — Families of 96 Liverpool soccer fans who died in a stadium overcrowding disaster in 1989 slammed a British judge's decision to end the trial of two former police officers and an ex-lawyer on charges o…
Biden orders more intel investigation of COVID-19 origin
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden ordered U.S. intelligence officials to “redouble” their efforts to investigate the origins of
Many wait uneasily as Biden unwinds key Trump asylum policy
SAN DIEGO (AP) — In March of 2020, Estela Lazo appeared before Immigration Judge Lee O’Connor with her two children, her muscles tensed and a lump in her throat. Would they receive asylum?
The Latest: Australia's Victoria state to return to lockdown
MELBOURNE, Australia — The city that was once Australia’s worst COVID-19 hot spot on Thursday announced a seven-day lockdown, its fourth since the pandemic began.
Senators try to salvage legislation on Jan. 6 commission
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators labored Tuesday to find a path forward for legislation creating a commission on the Jan. 6 insurrection, debating potential changes in a long-shot attempt to overcome growing GOP oppositi…
Farmers buy land, make camp by shut Oregon irrigation canal
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) — Two farmers with ties to anti-government activist Ammon Bundy have purchased land by a shut-off irrigation canal in Oregon that would normally deliver water to a massive federal irrigatio…
New grand jury seated for next stage of Trump investigation
NEW YORK (AP) — New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump's business dealings, a person familiar with the matter tol…
John Warner dies; former GOP senator was military expert
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Former Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia, a courtly figure and longtime military expert whose marriage to Elizabeth Taylor gave him a potent dash of starpower, has died at 94.
Senate passes sports betting, gambling bill; sends to Lamont
A long-awaited gambling expansion bill cleared the Connecticut Senate late Tuesday, moving the state closer toward finally legalizing sports betting and online wagering after years of debate and failed negotiations…