Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Sheriff candidates debate at Ephrata forum
EPHRATA — Incumbent Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and challenger Darrick Gregg highlighted differences in leade…
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…
The Latest: Spain to offer AstraZeneca shot to adults 18-65
MADRID — Spain’s health minister said the country will resume use of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 by extending it to adults up to 65 years of age and that authorities will consider vaccinating older peo…
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 that emerged Monday showing immigrant children in U.S. custody at the border sleeping on m…
Inslee decries 'horrendous surge' of violence against Asians
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee was joined Monday by community leaders to decry what he called a “horrendous surge” of violence against Asian-Americans.
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…
Nevada announces $45M settlement with McKinsey over opioids
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada has struck a $45 million settlement deal with McKinsey & Company for the global consulting firm's role in advising opioid makers how to sell more prescription painkillers amid a national ove…
Oregon won't say how much it has lost to unemployment fraud
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon officials continue to refuse to publicly disclose how much money the state has lost to unemployment insurance fraud during the pandemic, despite the fact that neighboring states Washing…
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…
Cops’ posts to private Facebook group show hostility, hate
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…
The Latest: Minnesota reports no new deaths due to COVID-19
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota health officials reported no new deaths due to COVID-19 for the first time in nearly a year.
Hugs, at last: Nursing homes easing rules on visitors
An 88-year-old woman in Ohio broke down in tears as her son hugged her for the first time in a year. Nursing home residents and staff in California sang “Over the Rainbow” as they resumed group activities and allow…