Ritzville lawmaker named Senate Majority Leader

OLYMPIA - Republican Senator Mark Schoesler, a fifth-generation wheat farmer from Ritzville and 9th Legislative District representative, was recently elected by his Senate contemporaries as Senate Majority Leader.

Marijuana advocates launch campaign for November election

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Marijuana legalization advocates kicked off their campaign on Wednesday to convince South Dakota voters to vote to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana in the November general election.

John Lewis says video of George Floyd's killing made him cry

WASHINGTON (AP) — Civil rights icon John Lewis said Thursday that the video of

Black Ohio lawmakers urge colleagues to help address racism

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Black Democratic lawmakers made emotional appeals to colleagues in the GOP-led Ohio House for help in addressing racism as a session ended Thursday.

Denver to furlough thousands of workers amid coronavirus

DENVER (AP) — Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said Thursday that thousands of city employees, including himself, will be furloughed for eight days this year to help close what is expected to be a $226 million budget gap caused by the coronavirus, joining mayors across the country that have made the same move or are thinking about it.

Denver to furlough thousands of workers amid coronavirus

DENVER (AP) — Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said Thursday that thousands of city employees, including himself, will be furloughed for eight days this year to help close what is expected to be a $226 million budget gap caused by the coronavirus, joining mayors across the country that have made the same move or are thinking about it.

Denver to furlough thousands of workers amid coronavirus

DENVER (AP) — Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said Thursday that thousands of city employees, including himself, will be furloughed for eight days this year to help close what is expected to be a $226 million budget gap caused by the coronavirus, joining mayors across the country that have made the same move or are thinking about it.

Idaho governor signs bill to halt Biden moves on gun laws

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed legislation aimed at thwarting a half-dozen executive actions by President Joe Biden to combat gun violence.

Idaho governor signs bill to halt Biden moves on gun laws

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed legislation aimed at thwarting a half-dozen executive actions by President Joe Biden to combat gun violence.

Idaho governor signs bill to halt Biden moves on gun laws

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed legislation aimed at thwarting a half-dozen executive actions by President Joe Biden to combat gun violence.

Protests against citizenship law continue unabated in India

NEW DELHI (AP) — Hundreds of demonstrators perched themselves on the steps of an iconic mosque in the Indian capital on Friday to protest against a new citizenship law that excludes Muslim immigrants.

Sheriffs oppose red flag gun legislation in New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Sheriffs across much of the state are opposed to a proposal from Democratic lawmakers that would allow police or relatives to ask a court to temporarily take away guns from people who might hurt themselves or others, a New Mexico Sheriffs' Association official said.

Lee statue in Richmond set to be removed, sent to storage

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Crews are set to remove one of the country’s largest remaining monuments to the Confederacy, a towering statute of Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia.

Lee statue in Richmond set to be removed, sent to storage

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Crews are set to remove one of the country’s largest remaining monuments to the Confederacy, a towering statute of Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia.

MLPD arrests CMMS student

Firearm with multiple clips found

MOSES LAKE — Officers with the Moses Lake Police Department on Monday morning arrested an eighth-grader in possession of a firearm at Chief Moses Middle School, according to MLPD Chief Kevin Fuhr.

Guest column: Helping those most in need – really?

The guest editorial by Dr. David Curnel and Ms. Allison Williams thanked residents for “stepping up and caring for one another” during the pandemic. I was struck by two comments: one, keep encouraging and supporting one another and two, the city of Moses Lake has taken every precaution to keep our essential services going. But what stood out to me was the following: “As a city, we are also working with our partners at Grant County to allocate funds out to help those most in need, our homeless populations.”

Woman charged in former lawmaker's death faces new charges

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A woman charged with killing a former Arkansas state lawmaker faced new charges Tuesday alleging that she asked fellow inmates to kill the victim's ex-husband.

Quincy city budget includes money for street revisions, indoor activity center

QUINCY— The city of Quincy will spend about $86 million in 2023. Quincy City Council members voted unanimously to approve the 2023 budget at the Dec. 20 council meeting. The budget includes a general fund of about $21.6 million. Most of the money for employee salaries and many city operations, like most parks and recreation and the Quincy Police Department, comes out of the general fund. The city has about $12 million in a separate fund to build a new indoor sports complex. City Administrator Pat Haley said in a separate interview that the project has been in the works for a while. “We still have the fieldhouse on the drawing board and we’re looking at funding sources for that,” Haley said. “We have been putting that money aside to do something.” Council members voted in November to look for funding for the rest of the project. Estimated total cost is about $23 million, which includes some provisions for inflation. Haley said he doesn’t expect construction to start in 2023.

News Bites for May 26

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was booked into the Grant County Jail Tuesday on suspicion of vehicular assault and DUI after he allegedly struck a motorcycle and left the scene of the accident...

Operating hours may be reduced temporarily at Quincy Animal Shelter

QUINCY — The Quincy Animal Shelter hours may change temporarily as city officials work to add new staff. Municipal Services Director Carl Worley told Quincy City Council members Tuesday that it’s difficult for the existing staff to manage both the animals and the current hours. “The animal shelter is currently shorthanded until temporary employees are hired,” he said. “I think we’re down to pretty much two people at this point. So it’s sometimes difficult for them to meet the public at the door. Sometimes they’re in the back and don’t hear it.”