Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Fourth Congressional District candidates share immigration policy opinions
MOSES LAKE — Eleven candidates are running in the primary election for Washington’s 4th Congressional District. Al…
Washington state prisoners released after drug law is voided
SEATTLE (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee has commuted the sentences of more than a dozen drug offenders in the past few days, freeing them from prison as Washington's legal system struggles with the fallout from a court ruli…
US agency says women can get abortion pill via mail
WASHINGTON (AP) — Women seeking an abortion pill will not be required to visit a doctor's office or clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. health officials said Tuesday in the latest reversal in an ongoing legal…
Florida to close wastewater reservoir with leak history
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida is moving to permanently close the leaky Piney Point wastewater reservoir that poured millions of gallons of water into Tampa Bay while threatening to burst open and flood nearby…
IRS chief expects new child payments to start this summer
WASHINGTON (AP) — It's a strain, but the head of the IRS said Tuesday he expects to meet the July 1 deadline in the new pandemic relief law for starting a groundbreaking tax program aimed at reducing child poverty.…
US to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America that were coordinated from that country, several U.S. offic…
Audit: Unemployment fraud likely higher than $647 million
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The amount of fraudulent payments of unemployment benefits distributed in Washington state during the height of the coronavirus pandemic was likely higher than the $647 million identified by t…
Washington follows feds in halting use of J&J vaccine
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Washington is immediately halting the use of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine against the coronavirus, following the guidance of the federal government regarding the appearance of rare s…
US recommends 'pause' for J&J shots in blow to vaccine drive
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. on Tuesday recommended a “pause” in use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of rare but potentially dangerous blood clots, setting off a chain rea…
Biden, lawmakers pay tribute to slain Capitol Police officer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Slain U.S. Capitol Police Officer William “Billy" Evans was lauded for his dedication to country, love for his job and for a mischievous sense of humor as President Joe Biden and congressional lea…
Russia says troop buildup near Ukraine is a response to NATO
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's defense minister said Tuesday that the country's massive military buildup in the west was part of readiness drills amid what he described as threats from NATO.
Biden raises concerns with Putin about Ukraine confrontation
BRUSSELS (AP) — President Joe Biden urged Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to “de-escalate tensions" following a Russian military buildup on Ukraine's border in their second tense call of Biden's young p…
Biden, lawmakers at tribute to slain Capitol Police officer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The casket of slain U.S. Capitol Police Officer William “Billy” Evans arrived at the Capitol on Tuesday as President Joe Biden and congressional leaders prepared to pay their respects to an office…
Putin foe Navalny says he sues prison for withholding Quran
MOSCOW (AP) — Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Tuesday he was suing his prison for withholding the Quran, which he intended to study while serving time outside Moscow.
Analysis: Iran's powerful Guard faces scrutiny after attacks
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The recent sabotage at Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility is just the latest setback for the country's Revolutionary Guard, though the paramilitary force is rarely publicly c…
Business leaders urge Biden to set ambitious climate goal
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 300 businesses and investors, including such giants as Apple, Google, Microsoft and Coca-Cola, are calling on the Biden administration to set an ambitious climate change goal that would …