Political
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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…
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…
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…
Senators back off vow to withhold support of Biden nominees
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Democratic senators who said they would not support President Joe Biden's nominations to fill administration posts until the White House better promoted diversity reversed their stances Tuesda…
Recording Registry adds albums by Janet Jackson, Nas
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Janet Jackson’s socially conscious album “Rhythm Nation 1814,” Louis Armstrong’s jazzy “When the Saints Go Marching In” and Nas’ debut release “Illmatic” are among 25 recordings being inducted to…
Tennessee bill to ban transgender athletes heads to governor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's Republican-led Statehouse gave final legislative approval Monday to a measure to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, a measure many critics warn would l…
Transphobia, hostility about protesters in private cop group
PITTSBURGH (AP) — In a private Facebook group called the Pittsburgh Area Police Breakroom, many current and retired officers spent the year criticizing chiefs who took a knee or officers who marched with Black Live…
EXPLAINER: How states are seeking to loosen controls on guns
Mass shootings in Georgia and Colorado that left at least 18 people dead since last week are reigniting calls from gun control advocates for tighter restrictions on buying firearms and ammunition. But with Democrat…
Biden eyes $3T package for infrastructure, schools, families
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fresh off passage of the COVID-19 relief bill, President Joe Biden is assembling the next big White House priority, a sweeping $3 trillion package of investments on infrastructure and domestic nee…
EXPLAINER: Israelis vote in fourth election in 2 years
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is holding its fourth election in two years on Tuesday, with nearly 6.6 million citizens eligible to vote for the 24th Knesset, or parliament. It is widely seen as a one-issue referendum, wi…
Mysterious new system at border keeps migrants guessing
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — After hearing rumors that Central American families with younger children were being allowed into the U.S., Irma Paz left Honduras with her husband and two kids on a nearly two-month journ…
‘Sorry’: GOP US Rep. Tom Reed retiring amid misconduct claim
U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, a Republican from western New York who was
Oregon Legislature halts sessions after positive virus test
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Floor sessions in the Oregon Capitol were cancelled for the rest of the day Monday and all day Tuesday after lawmakers learned that “someone who was interacting on the House floor last week” h…
Tool created to aid cleanup from Microsoft hack in broad use
WASHINGTON (AP) — A tool designed to help businesses protect themselves from further compromises after
Photos of migrant detention highlight Biden's border secrecy
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration has tried for weeks to keep the public from seeing images like those released Monday of immigrant children in U.S. custody at the border sleeping on mats under…