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…
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…
Buttigieg pitches infrastructure needs to divided Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told a divided House panel Thursday that the country’s infrastructure needs exceed $1 trillion and improvements to roads, bridges and highways can no longer…
EU moves toward stricter export controls for COVID-19 shots
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union moved Wednesday toward stricter export controls for coronavirus vaccines, seeking to make sure its 27 nations have more COVID-19 shots to boost the bloc's flagging vaccine campaig…
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…
Asian Americans seek greater political power after shootings
WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaking on the floor of the Georgia state Senate last week, Michelle Au implored her colleagues to “stand up” to the hatred aimed at Asian Americans
AP PHOTOS: Cars become home for Spain's pandemic casualties
PAMPLONA, Spain (AP) — When the social worker called to tell Javier Irure that he was being evicted, the 65-year-old Spaniard couldn't fathom that he could end up homeless after five decades of manual labor.
Biden expands 'Obamacare' by cutting health insurance costs
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — President Joe Biden pledged Tuesday that his $1.9 trillion rescue package would build on the promise of the Affordable Care Act, the hallmark legislation of Barack Obama's presidency that beca…
Democrats vow vote on gun bills; Biden says 'we have to act'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats said they are pushing toward a vote on expanded gun control measures as the nation reels from its second mass shooting in a week. President Joe Biden said “we have to act,” but prospects…
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 …
Haunted by mass violence, Colorado confronts painful history
DENVER (AP) — Dawn Reinfeld moved to Colorado 30 years ago to attend college in the bucolic town of Boulder. Enchanted by the state's wide-open spaces, she stayed.
Women's soccer stars join Biden to promote closing pay gap
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden made the case Wednesday that the pay disparity between men and women has hurt the economy, bringing members of the U.S. women’s national soccer team to the White House to help …
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…
Report: Extremist groups thrive on Facebook despite bans
A new outside report found that Facebook has allowed groups — many tied to QAnon, boogaloo and militia movements — to glorify violence during the 2020 election and in the weeks leading up to the deadly riots on the…
Biden's disciplined agenda rollout tested by the unexpected
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has taken tremendous pride in methodically unveiling its agenda, particularly the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief measure the president hopes to trumpet over the next severa…
North Korea test-fires ballistic missiles in message to US
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Thursday test-fired its first ballistic missiles since President Joe Biden took office as it expands its military capabilities and increases pressure on Washington while nuc…