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…
Inside secret Syria talks aimed at freeing American hostages
Last summer, two U.S. officials ventured into hostile territory for a secret high-stakes meeting with American adversaries.
Biden seems ready to extend US troop presence in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON (AP) — Without coming right out and saying it, President Joe Biden seems ready to let lapse a May 1 deadline for completing a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Orderly withdrawals take time, an…
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…
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.
Virginia becomes first Southern state to legalize marijuana
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize marijuana Wednesday, as lawmakers voted to approve Gov. Ralph Northam’s proposed changes to a bill that will allow adults to possess and cul…
Gov. Inslee signs bill to restore voting rights to parolees
SEATTLE (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday signed a bill automatically restoring voting rights to people who have been released from prison after committing felonies, even if they are still on parole — a measure s…
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 …
Summoning seniors: Big new push to vaccinate older Americans
CLARKSDALE, Miss. (AP) — The first hurdle was getting on the bus. Seventy-four year old Linda Busby hesitated outside a community center where older people were loading up to go get the coronavirus vaccine.
Noem pushes lawmakers on transgender sports ban, medical pot
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Wednesday renewed her push for lawmakers to take up issues she feels were left unsettled during the regular legislative session, including banning transgend…
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…
Biden to unveil actions on guns, including new ATF boss
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will unveil a series of executive actions aimed at addressing gun violence on Thursday, delivering his first major action on gun control since taking office.
Rare bipartisanship: 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 rare show of bipartisan unity in an otherwise bitterly divided Le…
Biden to nominate gun control advocate Chipman to lead ATF
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is expected to nominate David Chipman, a former federal agent and adviser at the gun control group Giffords, to be director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and…
Neo-Nazi pleads guilty in journalist threat case
SEATTLE (AP) — An organizer of a neo-Nazi campaign to threaten journalists and Jewish activists in three states has pleaded guilty in federal court in Seattle.
No timetable for withdrawal of troops after US, Iraq talks
BAGHDAD (AP) — The mission of U.S. forces in Iraq has shifted to training and advisory roles, allowing for redeployment of combat forces remaining in the country, U.S. and Iraq delegates said Wednesday, after a thi…