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…
Virus pandemic slows renovations to Superdome in New Orleans
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Plans for $450 million in upgrades to New Orleans' iconic Superdome have been disrupted because of financial troubles caused by the pandemic, the stadium's manager told state lawmakers durin…
In bipartisan unity, police reform bills advance in Oregon
SALEM, Oregon (AP) — Republicans and Democrats on the Oregon House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved almost a dozen bills on police reform, a show of bipartisan unity in a Legislature that has been bitterly …
Merkel backs 'short, uniform lockdown' across Germany
BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday threw her weight behind a “short, uniform lockdown” as the country grapples with a high level of coronavirus cases fueled by the spread of a more contagiou…
More than a half million Americans gain coverage under Biden
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than a half million Americans have taken advantage of the Biden administration's special health insurance
As states expand vaccines, prisoners still lack access
This week, Florida expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines to all residents 16 and older. But across the state, more than 70,000 people still don’t have access to the vaccine. Those men and women are Florida sta…
Inside secret Syria talks aimed at freeing American hostages
WASHINGTON (AP) — Last summer, two U.S. officials ventured into hostile territory for a secret high-stakes meeting with American adversaries.
EXPLAINER: Why is North Korea skipping the Tokyo Olympics?
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea, citing the coronavirus, has become the world's first country to drop out of the Tokyo Olympics.
Turkey sentences dozens to life terms over 2016 failed coup
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A Turkish court sentenced dozens of people, including former soldiers attached to the presidential guard regiment, to life imprisonment on Wednesday over their involvement in the 2016 failed c…
Noem pitches transgender sports ban; lawmakers say not now
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Despite South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's renewed push for lawmakers to take up issues she feels were left unsettled during the regular legislative session, including banning transgender girl…
Official: EU agency to confirm AstraZeneca blood clot link
ROME (AP) — A top official at the European Medicines Agency says there's a causal link between AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine and rare blood clots, but that it's unclear what the connection is and that the benef…
County wants to hire former US attorney in sheriff probe
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Pierce County Council has chosen to hire former U.S. Attorney Brian Moran for an independent investigation of Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer’s controversial confrontation with a Black news…
UK advises limiting AstraZeneca in under-30s amid clot worry
LONDON (AP) — British authorities recommended Wednesday that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine not be given to adults under 30 where possible because of strengthening evidence that the shot may be linked to rare blo…
Survey: Even as schools reopen, many students learn remotely
Large numbers of students are not returning to the classroom even as more schools reopen for full-time, in-person learning, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Biden administration.
House OKs bill making police intervene to stop undue force
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state House on Wednesday approved a measure requiring police to intervene if they see a fellow officer using, or attempting to use, excessive force.
Bezos endorses higher corporate taxes for infrastructure
WASHINGTON (AP) — Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos endorsed President Joe Biden’s focus on building up the country’s infrastructure Tuesday and said the company even supports a corporate tax rate hike to help pay …