Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Several contested races on the primary ballot in Grant County
EPHRATA — Filing week for the August primary election closed Friday, leaving several contested races on the ballot…
The Latest: Biden aims to check China's growing ambitions
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Joe Biden's first
Beyond the pandemic: London's Tube battles to stay on track
LONDON (AP) — When London came to a stop as a nationwide coronavirus lockdown was imposed a year ago, the Underground kept running as an essential service. But it was a strange and unnerving experience for its work…
Biden taps VP Harris to lead response to border challenges
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has tapped Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the White House effort to tackle the migration challenge at the U.S. southern border and work with Central American nations to a…
Biden's dogs back at White House after ruff start
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's dogs — Champ and Major — are roaming the White House again, after having been sent to Delaware when Major, the younger dog, injured a Secret Service agent.
Georgia Gov. Kemp signs GOP election bill amid an outcry
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp drew protests Thursday as he signed into law a sweeping Republican-sponsored overhaul of state elections that includes new restrictions on voting by mail and greater legislati…
Border crossings strain resources in Rio Grande Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (AP) — Elmer Maldonado spent a week in immigration custody with his 1-year-old son after crossing the Rio Grande through Texas to request asylum. One night, the Honduran father and son slept on the…
The Latest: Twitter grilled about blocking a NY Post article
WASHINGTON (AP) — The latest news from a House committee questioning the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter. All times local.
Biden not ruling out chance US stays longer in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday did not rule out the possibility of U.S. troops staying in Afghanistan through the end of the year, and one of his top generals told Congress that Afghanistan's mil…
US, Europe, NATO close ranks to counter 'aggressive' China
BRUSSELS (AP) — The United States and European countries are closing ranks to respond to what the U.S. calls “aggressive and coercive” behavior by China, days after the U.S. and its allies launched coordinated sanc…
Democrats launch Senate battle for expanded voting rights
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are renewing their efforts to muscle through the largest overhaul of U.S. elections in a generation, setting up a fight with Republicans that could bring partisan tensions to a climax in…
WA Senate Democrats' budget includes state capital gains tax
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Senate Democrats on Thursday released a $59.2 billion two-year budget plan that includes $357 million in new revenue from a tax on capital gains, and laid out how they would separately spend m…
California to expand vaccine eligibility to anyone over 16
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — California will start vaccinating anyone 16 and over against the coronavirus starting in three weeks, expanding eligibility to the shots along with a host of other states as a long-awaited …
UK extends emergency coronavirus powers by 6 months
LONDON (AP) — British lawmakers agreed Thursday to prolong coronavirus emergency measures for six months, allowing the Conservative government to keep its unprecedented powers to restrict U.K. citizens’ everyday li…
Michigan sees virus surge, but tighter restrictions unlikely
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan, which not long ago had one of the country's lowest COVID-19 infection rates, is confronting an alarming spike that some experts worry could be a harbinger nationally.
School survey shows 'critical gaps' for in-person learning
Nearly half of U.S. elementary schools were open for full-time classroom learning as of last month, but the share of students with in-person instruction has varied greatly by region and by race, with most nonwhite …