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…
Advocates, some AGs wary of Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan
Some state attorneys general and opioid addiction activists pushed back Tuesday against a settlement offer from OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, saying it didn't include enough money and goes too far in protecting th…
US: Putin approved operations to help Trump against Biden
WASHINGTON (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized influence operations to help Donald Trump in last November's presidential election, according to a declassified intelligence assessment that found broad…
N Korea warns US not to 'cause a stink' before Seoul meeting
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In North Korea’s first comments directed at the Biden administration, Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister on Tuesday warned the United States to “refrain from causing a stink” if it wants to “sl…
Battling bigness: Congress eyes action against monopolies
WASHINGTON (AP) — The battle against bigness is building. Whether it’s beer, banks or book publishing, lawmakers are targeting major industries they say have become so concentrated that they’re hurting competition,…
Japan, US to share China worry as ministers meet in Tokyo
TOKYO (AP) — Japan and the United States joined forces Tuesday to criticize China's “coercion and aggression" in Asia as senior ministers from both countries held their first in-person talks since President Joe Bid…
Washington judge taking time off after comments on Black man
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — A judge in southwestern Washington said he will take time off to reflect on his behavior after he came under pressure for making critical comments about a Black man killed last year by polic…
Treasury: $242 billion in new relief payments already sent
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department says it has sent out 90 million economic impact payments totaling $242 billion since President Joe Biden signed a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief plan last week.
Kansas advances plan to bar trans athletes from girls' teams
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Republicans advanced a proposal Tuesday that would ban transgender students from girl's and women's sports in Kansas schools and colleges, and supporters are increasingly confident …
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…
Child border crossings surging, straining US facilities
WASHINGTON (AP) — A surge of migrants on the Southwest border has the Biden administration on the defensive, with the head of Homeland Security acknowledging the depth of the problem Tuesday but insisting it’s unde…
In Pennsylvania, Biden showcases aid to small businesses
CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — President Joe Biden turned up at a minority-owned flooring business in suburban Philadelphia to highlight how his
'I don’t need the vaccine': GOP worries threaten virus fight
FRONT ROYAL, Va. (AP) — In this rural swath of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, former President Donald Trump remains deeply admired, with lawn signs and campaign flags still dotting the landscape. The vaccines aimed …
EU regulator 'convinced' AstraZeneca benefit outweighs risk
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s drug regulator insisted Tuesday that there is “no indication” the AstraZeneca vaccine causes blood clots as governments around the world faced the grimmest of dilemmas: push on …
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…
Republicans seize on immigration as border crossings surge
WASHINGTON (AP) — Delegation trips to the border. Apocalyptic warnings. A flurry of news conferences.