Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
5th Congressional District candidates discuss motivation for running
SPOKANE — Twelve candidates, including incumbent Michael Baumgartner, are running for the seat in the Fifth Congre…
Treasury says state tax cuts OK if separated from virus aid
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Responding to concerns from state officials, the U.S. Treasury Department said Wednesday that states can cut taxes without penalty under a new federal pandemic relief law — so long as the…
Medicaid incentive so far not enough to sway holdout states
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Democrats' nearly $2 trillion coronavirus relief package includes a big financial incentive for the states that have opted against expanding Medicaid to provide health coverage for more low-in…
Montana Senate advances bills targeting transgender youth
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to advance two bills targeting transgender youth despite overwhelming testimony opposing the measures.
Biden says US to hit 100 million vaccine goal Friday
WASHINGTON (AP) — With the U.S. closing in on President Joe Biden's goal of injecting 100 million coronavirus vaccinations weeks ahead of his target date, the White House announced Thursday the nation is now in pos…
Israeli voters poised to send first Reform rabbi to Knesset
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — In years of going against Israel’s religious and political mainstream, Rabbi Gilad Kariv has learned to handle conflict. He has argued controversial civil rights cases before Israel’s Suprem…
Fed expects to keep its key rate near zero through 2023
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve foresees the economy accelerating quickly this year yet still expects to keep its benchmark interest rate pinned near zero through 2023, despite concerns in financial markets a…
Alabama House approves bill to ban transgender athletes
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama could become the next conservative state to prevent transgender girls from playing on female sports teams as the state House of Representatives on Thursday approved the legislation.
Republicans seize on immigration as border crossings surge
WASHINGTON (AP) — Delegation trips to the border. Apocalyptic warnings. A flurry of news conferences.
Top US diplomat slams North Korea's rights condition
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — America’s top diplomat on Wednesday criticized North Korea’s human rights record and reiterated a vow to strip the country of its nuclear program, a day after Pyongyang warned Washington t…
Israeli voters poised to send first Reform rabbi to Knesset
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — In years of going against Israel’s religious and political mainstream, Rabbi Gilad Kariv has learned to handle conflict. He has argued controversial civil rights cases before Israel’s Suprem…
Biden, Harris offering solace to grieving Asian Americans
ATLANTA (AP) — For Asian Americans, 2020 was a year of political success and newfound influence. But it was also a time of vulnerability to racist assaults.
Biden, Harris visit spotlights Asian Americans' influence
ATLANTA (AP) — For Asian Americans, 2020 was a year of political success and newfound influence. But it was also a time of vulnerability to racist assaults.
Biden says US to hit 100 million vaccine goal Friday
WASHINGTON (AP) — With the U.S. closing in on President Joe Biden's goal of injecting 100 million coronavirus vaccinations weeks ahead of his target date, the White House announced Thursday the nation is now in pos…
Medicaid incentive so far not enough to sway holdout states
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Democrats' nearly $2 trillion coronavirus relief package includes a big financial incentive for the states that have opted against expanding Medicaid to provide health coverage for more low-in…
Emergency sites for migrant children raising safety concerns
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — The U.S. government has stopped taking immigrant teenagers to a converted camp for oil field workers in West Texas as it faces questions about the safety of emergency sites it is quickly setti…