Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Today is the final day to file in Grant County
EPHRATA — Grant County’s candidate filing week is underway, with several candidates submitting paperwork for local…
Oregon Senate votes in favor of bill banning guns in Capitol
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Senate voted Thursday to advance a bill banning guns at the Capitol and other state facilities and letting cities, counties, schools and commercial airports decide whether to allow …
In shift, oil industry group backs federal price on carbon
WASHINGTON (AP) — The oil and gas industry's top lobbying group on Thursday endorsed a federal price on carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming, a reversal of longstanding policy that comes as th…
Biden leaves door open for Senate changes to advance agenda
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden at his first news conference left the door open to backing fundamental changes in Senate procedure to muscle key parts of his agenda like immigration and voting rights past Rep…
Bolsonaro under fire as Brazil hits 300,000 virus deaths
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Mere miles from Brazil’s presidential palace, the bodies of COVID-19 victims were laid on floors of hospitals whose morgues were overflowing. Lawmakers fielded calls from panicked constituen…
AP FACT CHECK: Biden skews figures on border, taxes, more
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday misstated the reality at the U.S.-Mexico border when he asserted that “nothing has changed” when it comes to the number of children coming to the United States sinc…
Washington state OKs bill to give voting rights to parolees
SEATTLE (AP) — Washington state lawmakers have voted to automatically restore voting rights to people who have been released from prison after committing felonies, even if they’re still on parole.
Arkansas governor signs transgender sports ban into law
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday signed a law banning transgender women and girls from competing in school sports teams consistent with their gender identity, making the state the s…
Former Trump adviser takes prominent role in voting battle
A GOP lawyer who advised former President Donald Trump on his campaign to overturn the 2020 election results is now playing a central role coordinating the Republican effort to tighten voting laws around the countr…
Democrats assail Georgia law, make case for voting overhaul
Democrats have seized on new voting restrictions in Georgia to focus attention on the fight to overhaul federal election laws, setting up a slow-building standoff that carries echoes of the civil rights battles of …
Tennessee's governor signs transgender athlete bill
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a law Friday banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, making it the third state this year to approve a measure many critics warn would…
Democrats use state voting laws to fuel federal overhaul
Democrats on Friday seized on new voting restrictions in Georgia to focus attention on the fight to overhaul federal election laws, setting up a slow-building standoff that carries echoes of the civil rights battle…
The eviction moratorium is expiring. What will Biden do?
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration has less than a week to decide on extending the nationwide eviction moratorium, a measure that housing advocates say has helped keep most cash-strapped tenants…
Biden assails Ga. voting law as 'atrocity,' Kemp lashes back
President Joe Biden on Friday called a sweeping Republican-sponsored overhaul of Georgia's elections laws “outrageous” and "an atrocity,” and urged Congress to move quickly to bolster voting rights across the natio…
Like Senate plan, House budget focused on pandemic recovery
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — House Democrats on Friday released their two-year budget plan, that — like the Senate plan released a day earlier — includes a new tax on capital gains and uses a mix of state and federal mone…
LSU coach accused of ignoring sexual harassment allegation
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A 74-year-old woman told state lawmakers Friday that she spoke directly to Louisiana State University football coach Ed Orgeron about sexual harassment she said she endured in 2017 from one …