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…
Belarus president signs tough new law on media restrictions
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The authoritarian president of Belarus on Monday signed a law sharply restricting news media activities and allowing them to be shut down without a court hearing.
Belarus' isolation grows after journalist's dramatic arrest
BRUSSELS (AP) — Belarus’ isolation deepened Tuesday as commercial jets avoided its airspace, the European Union worked up new sanctions, and officials expressed concern for the welfare of an opposition journalist w…
Car-free San Francisco streets: Residents debate reopening
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — For Vanessa Gregson, the four-lane highway that borders the beach along San Francisco's Pacific Ocean is now an automobile-free sanctuary where she can blissfully ride her bicycle and enjoy the…
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?
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…
Wisconsin bills banning transgender athletes get hearings
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican-backed bills that would prohibit transgender athletes in Wisconsin from participating in girl and women sports teams were scheduled for their first public hearings before legislative…
The Latest: Sri Lanka gets 2nd vaccine donation from China
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka has received 500,000 doses of Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine donated by China as the Indian Ocean island nation faces severe shortage of vaccines amid a recent rise in infections.
The Latest: Hawaii drops mask mandate for people outdoors
HONOLULU — Hawaii is no longer requiring people to wear face masks outdoors as the number of coronavirus cases drops and more people get vaccinated.
Grief, smiles 1 year after Floyd death as family meets Biden
WASHINGTON (AP) — They mourned together and laughed together in the Oval Office — and spoke of what President Joe Biden called “the hard reality that racism has long torn us apart.”
The Latest: UN says pandemic effort hindered by conflicts
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations humanitarian chief says that despite last year’s U.N. call for global cease-fires to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, many conflicts never stopped, including in Syria, Yemen and Con…
Senators try to salvage legislation on Jan. 6 commission
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators labored 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 opposition.
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…
Senate expected to vote on sports betting, gambling bill
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Connecticut Senate was expected to vote Tuesday night on a long-awaiting agreement with the state's two federally recognized tribes that could lead to legalized sports and online gambling…
Florida governor signs bill for Seminole sports betting deal
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Seminole Tribe would be able to operate sports betting and add roulette and craps to its casinos and Florida would potentially receive $20 billion over the next 30 years, under legislat…
AP FACT CHECK: House GOP falsely blames Biden for gas prices
WASHINGTON (AP) — Heading into the Memorial Day travel weekend, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and other members of his party are falsely blaming