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…
The Latest: Spain detects 11 cases of variant found in India
MADRID — Spain’s health minister says the European country has detected 11 cases of the new strain of the coronavirus first identified in India.
Top general drops opposition to change in sex assault policy
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a potentially significant shift in the debate over combating sexual assault in the military, the nation’s top general says he is dropping his opposition to a proposal to take decisions on sexua…
Biden quadruples Trump refugee cap after delay backlash
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday formally raised the nation's cap on refugee admissions to 62,500 this year, weeks after facing bipartisan blowback for his delay in replacing the record-low ceiling s…
AP FACT CHECK: Yes, Trump lost election despite what he says
WASHINGTON (AP) — Seeking to shame Republicans who are disloyal to him, former President Donald Trump distorted the Constitution’s meaning in asserting widespread voter fraud and insisting that state legislatures c…
Hugs to be allowed in England as part of lockdown easing
LONDON (AP) — In less than a week, people in England will be able to give friends and family a hug for the first time since restrictions were put in place in March last year at the outset of the coronavirus pandemi…
100 days in power, Myanmar junta holds pretense of control
BANGKOK (AP) — After Myanmar’s military seized power by ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, it couldn’t even make the trains run on time. State railway workers were among the earliest organized oppo…
The Latest: Washington Gov criticized for reopening plan
TACOMA, Wash. - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is receiving criticism from lawmakers in his own party over his shifting economic reopening plan, with a group of Democrats from the state’s second most populous county th…
Gaza militants, Israel trade new rocket fire and airstrikes
JERUSALEM (AP) — Palestinian militants launched dozens of rockets from Gaza and Israel unleashed new air strikes against them early Tuesday, in an escalation triggered by soaring tensions in Jerusalem and days of c…
The Latest: Chicago plans events for fully vaccinated people
CHICAGO — Chicago leaders are planning the return of cultural events this summer, including a concert series only for people who are fully COVID-19 vaccinated.
Cheney's post dim as Trump endorses Stefanik to replace her
WASHINGTON (AP) — No. 3 House Republican Liz Cheney was clinging to her post Wednesday as party leaders lined up behind an heir apparent, signaling that the fallout over her repeated clashes with former President D…
UN program inks Moderna deal on 500M doses, starting in Q4
GENEVA (AP) — U.S. biotech company Moderna will provide up to 500 million doses for the U.N.-backed program to ship coronavirus vaccines to needy people in low- and middle-income countries, but shipments won't begi…
US Justice Department worried about Arizona Senate recount
PHOENIX (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice expressed concern Wednesday about ballot security and potential voter intimidation arising from the Republican-controlled Arizona Senate's unprecedented private recount…
The Latest: LA, San Fran opening business despite infections
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles and San Francisco are reopening for more business under California’s least restrictive coronavirus safety rules, even though these counties have more infections than many others.
Gaza militants, children among 24 dead as Israel hits Hamas
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel unleashed new airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday, hitting the high-rise home of a Hamas field commander and two border tunnels dug by militants, as Hamas and other armed groups fir…
US trashes unwanted gear in Afghanistan, sells as scrap
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (AP) — The twisted remains of several all-terrain vehicles leaned precariously inside Baba Mir’s sprawling scrapyard, alongside smashed shards that were once generators, tank tracks that have be…