Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Adams County ballot features competitive federal, state and local races
RITZVILLE — Filing week has closed in Adams County, and voters will see a crowded and competitive ballot in the 20…
Blinken urges China to convince North Korea to denuclearize
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — America’s top diplomat on Thursday pressed China to use its “tremendous influence” to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear program, hours after the North said it will ignore U.S. of…
Kansas governor calls bill on trans athletes 'regressive'
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday derided a proposed Kansas ban on transgender athletes in girls' and women's school sports as “regressive” as conservative Republicans prepared to advance…
North Korea ignores US offer for talks, citing hostility
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Thursday it will ignore a U.S. offer for talks unless it withdraws its hostile policy, after Washington reached out to Pyongyang in a bid to resume nuclear negotiations.
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…
Republicans seize on immigration as border crossings surge
WASHINGTON (AP) — Delegation trips to the border. Apocalyptic warnings. A flurry of new conferences.
EXPLAINER: What's the Senate filibuster and why change it?
WASHINGTON (AP) — It's not that different from the movies. President Joe Biden said the Senate should operate like it did in the “old days,” with senators forced to stand up and speak all day and night if they plan…
Block a bill? Biden wants old-school Senate filibusters
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden wants the Senate to engage in old-fashioned filibusters, forcing senators who try to block bills to have to stand and talk for hours, as happened in Hollywood movies and during…
Homeland Security head spars with Congress over border surge
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s head of Homeland Security sparred Wednesday with members of Congress over the surge of migrants at the Southwest border, refusing to concede the situation was a crisis or eve…
Florida bill seeks to block trans athletes from girls teams
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Transgender women and girls couldn't play on girls and women's school sports teams under a bill passed by a Florida House committee on Wednesday.
Biden recommits to Good Friday accord on St. Patrick's Day
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden marked St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday by recommitting the U.S. to
Warnock: GOP voting restrictions resurrect ‘Jim Crow era’
Sen. Raphael Warnock, whose election as Georgia’s first Black senator gave control of the chamber to Democrats, used his first floor speech on Capitol Hill to blast a wave of Republican-backed measures that would m…
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.
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…
EXPLAINER: Is the US border with Mexico in crisis?
SAN DIEGO (AP) — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Monday during a visit to El Paso, Texas, that, “It's more than a crisis. This is human heartbreak.” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesd…
Washington lawmakers get good news on state revenues
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington's economy continues to improve, with the latest state revenue forecast showing that lawmakers will have more than $3 billion more to work with as they prepare to unveil budget plans…