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…
India, US to expand military engagement, defense ties
NEW DELHI (AP) — Top defense officials from India and the United States pledged Saturday to expand their military engagement, underscoring the strengthening defense ties between two countries concerned over China’s…
EU, US, UK, Canada target China officials over Uyghur abuses
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union, Britain, Canada and the United States on Monday launched coordinated sanctions against officials in China over human rights abuses in the far western Xinjiang region, provoking s…
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…
DC's long-simmering statehood push begins in Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington, D.C.'s bid for statehood finally got a congressional hearing Monday, but Mayor Muriel Bowser's clashes with Republicans on the panel made clear that the issue is far from settled.
Biden to talk up health insurance cost cuts in visit to Ohio
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will showcase health insurance cost cuts in a speech in Ohio Tuesday during what may be the best time for Democrats to talk up the Affordable Care Act since it became law.
The Latest: Sinovac: CoronaVac vaccine effective in children
BEIJING — Sinovac said on Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac is safe and effective in children ages 3-17.
In South Dakota, Noem bends — partially — on transgender ban
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem initially appeared eager to deliver a win to social conservatives on a top, culture war issue.
Rivals seeking to gain as Biden mulls approach to Syrian war
The Biden administration is mulling over America’s role in Syria’s ongoing conflict as the U.S. tries to break away from Middle East wars, but Vladimir Putin’s top diplomat already has been busy on the ground, tryi…
Germany extends virus lockdown till mid-April as cases rise
BERLIN (AP) — Germany extended its lockdown measures by another month and imposed several new restrictions, including largely shutting down public life over Easter, in an effort to drive down the rate of coronaviru…
The Latest: Florida allows anybody 50+ to get COVID-19 shot
ORLANDO, Fla. — The number of Floridians eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine expanded on Monday as the state allowed anybody age 50 and up to get the shot, and the county that is home to the state’s biggest theme parks…
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…
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…
Miami's South Beach confronts disastrous spring break
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s famed South Beach is desperately seeking a new image.
The Latest: Colorado governor announces virus spending tour
DENVER -- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Monday announced a statewide tour to hear from residents and gather ideas on how to spend the state’s portion of the federal government’s $1.9 trillion plan to support the U.S…
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…