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…
No evidence migrants at border significantly spreading virus
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — As he ended Texas’ coronavirus restrictions Wednesday over the objections of public health officials, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has tried shifting concern about the virus' spread to migrants …
Congress OKs $1.9T virus relief bill in win for Biden, Dems
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Congress riven along party lines has approved
The Latest: Thailand delays AstraZeneca jabs over concerns
BANGKOK — Thailand delayed use of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday after several European countries temporarily suspended the jabs following reports of blood clots in some people.
Myanmar police raid housing for striking railway workers
MANDALAY, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar security forces on Wednesday raided a neighborhood in the country’s largest city that houses state railway workers who have gone on strike to protest last month’s military coup.
A price tag on trauma? College town weighs Black reparations
AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — Professor Edwin Driver arrived in Amherst in 1948 as one of the first Black teachers hired at a flagship state university in the country.
At Air Force One base, intruder given up by 'mouse ears'
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a highly unusual breach of security last month at the air base that operates the Air Force One presidential aircraft, an apparently aimless intruder went undetected for several hours and walked…
The Latest: Japan to tighten border control against variants
TOKYO — Transportation minister Kazuyoshi Akaba says Japan will tighten border controls and limit the number of entrants to up to 2,000 per day to guard against the more contagious variants of the coronavirus.
Mississippi governor signs first state bill in the U.S. this year to ban transgender athletes from female sports teams
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi governor signs first state bill in the U.S. this year to ban transgender athletes from female sports teams.
Biden aims for quicker shots, 'independence from this virus'
WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the nation was brought to a near-standstill by the coronavirus, President Joe Biden pledged in his first prime-time address to make all adults eligible for vaccines by May 1 and rai…
AP FACT CHECK: Biden admin wrong on vaccine pace, elderly
WASHINGTON (AP) — For an administration that prides itself on talking straight about the pandemic, the self-congratulation Wednesday went too far.
COVID-19 bill gives states pathway to reduce maternal deaths
WASHINGTON (AP) — Labor and delivery are thought of as the riskiest times for new mothers, but many women die in the weeks and months after giving birth. Now
COVID relief bill could permanently alter social safety net
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package is being hailed by Democrats and progressive policy advocates as a generational expansion of the social safety net, providing food and h…
Maryland House approves sports betting implementation bill
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Sports betting would be allowed online, at Maryland's six casinos and the stadiums where the state's three major professional sports teams play, as well as horse racing tracks, under a measure…
AP-NORC poll: 1 in 5 in US lost someone close in pandemic
WASHINGTON (AP) — About 1 in 5 Americans say they lost a relative or close friend to the coronavirus, highlighting the division between heartache and hope as the country itches to get back to normal a year into the…
Pace of spending for pandemic aid? Try $43,000 every second
BALTIMORE (AP) — To pay out his coronavirus relief package, President Joe Biden must spend an average of $3.7 billion every day for the rest of this year. That’s $43,000 every second of every day until midnight chi…