Politics Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Idaho Lawmakers Get Back To Work After An 18-Day COVID-Caused Recess

By NWPB News April 7, 2021

Lawmakers convened for the first time in 18 days — after calling a sudden and historic recess in an attempt to slow a Statehouse coronavirus outbreak. The first sessions were brief: The House reconvened at about 12:05 p.m., and stayed on the floor for about 25 minutes. The Senate went into session at about 12:25 p.m., and was in session for just 10 minutes. Read More

While Oregon’s Legislature Feuds, Washington Lawmakers Find A Way To Work Together

By NWPB News April 3, 2021

Former Oregon Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli asked his staff in 2016 to come up with ways to waylay Democratic bills.

The two states are both led by strong Democratic majorities and face similar issues. Only one of them is successfully passing legislation. Continue Reading While Oregon’s Legislature Feuds, Washington Lawmakers Find A Way Read More

The Debate on Gun Reform – Murrow News 8

By Murrow News - Allen Leister April 2, 2021

More Murrow News Stories PULLMAN, WA. – For avid gun owners like 21-year-old Jessica Birbari, the discussion of national gun reform means that law-abiding citizens would be put in harm’s way. “Implementing gun restrictions is only gonna make it harder for law abiding citizens to protect themselves, their family, and their home. and only gonna… Read More

After Dan Newhouse Voted To Impeach Trump, Conservatism In Central Washington Is Being Redefined

By NWPB News March 21, 2021

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., speaks as the House of Representatives debates the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. CREDIT: House TV-AP

When Rep. Dan Newhouse broke with his party to vote to impeach President Trump, critics started to question his Conservative credentials. The state GOP condemned the impeachment vote, and Republican Party chairs in Grant, Benton, Franklin, Yakima, Adams, and Douglas counties demanded his resignation. Read More

After Capitol Riot Backlash, Sen. Josh Hawley’s Book Will Hit Shelves In May

By NPR News January 18, 2021

Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Democrats get their first crack at questioning Amy Coney Barrett today during her U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearing, where they plan to focus on how she might move the court in a more conservative direction on issues such as health care and abortion. Photographer: Patrick Semansky/AP Photo/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Washington-based Regnery Publishing, which aims to spread the message of "prominent and lasting voices in American conservatism," announced on Monday it will publish the title in May. Continue Reading After Capitol Riot Backlash, Sen. Read More

‘I Just Followed My Interests’: Garry Trudeau On 50 Years Of ‘Doonesbury’

By NPR News January 14, 2021

Garry Trudeau is shown at his office on Dec. 22, 1972. AP

The ground-breaking comic strip Doonesbury has been with us for a half-century. It was the first daily comic strip to win a Pulitzer Prize for tackling social issues, politics and war. It's also been censored for some of those same reasons. Read More

Analysis: An Unsettling And Potentially Unsafe Idaho Legislative Session Begins Soon

By NWPB News January 7, 2021

Hundreds of citizens (most unmasked) crowd the Statehouse hallways during a special legislative session in August. That contentious special session, combined with the state’s rising coronavirus case numbers, has education leaders uneasy about the 2021 session, which starts Monday. CREDIT: Sami Edge/Idaho Education News

The Idaho Legislature will begin an unsettling and potentially unsafe 2021 session in four days. The state’s 105 part-time lawmakers will meet in the midst of a surging pandemic that has killed more than 1,500 Idahoans, and in the aftermath of rioting at the U.S. Capitol that left four people dead. Read More

How A Record Number Of Republican Women Got Elected To Congress

By NPR News November 13, 2020

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., took it upon herself to help boost women's numbers in a party dominated by white men. CREDIT: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The number of GOP women elected in 2020 pales in comparison with Democrats' numbers, but their increased representation may attest to the power of focused recruitment efforts. Continue Reading How A Record Number Of Republican Women Got Elected Read More

GOP Welcomes Steve Wynn’s Millions, Despite Rape And Harassment Allegations

By NPR News October 21, 2020

Steve Wynn speaks to reporters in Massachusetts in 2016, when he still led Wynn Resorts. In 2018, Wynn stepped down from the company after a series of allegations of sexual misconduct, including one allegation of rape. Wynn has denied any wrongdoing. CREDIT: Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe via Getty Images

Former casino mogul Steve Wynn has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and harassment. Still, politicians have continued to accept major campaign contributions from Wynn, who has denied wrongdoing. Continue Reading GOP Welcomes Steve Read More

Donald Trump And Joe Biden Meet Tuesday Night: How To Watch The Presidential Debate

By NWPB News September 28, 2020

Preparations take place for the first Presidential debate outside the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Cleveland. The first debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to take place Tuesday, Sept. 29. CREDIT: Patrick Semansky/AP

President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will debate each other for the first time Tuesday evening, Oct. 29, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT in the first of three presidential debates. Continue Reading Donald Read More

Twitter’s New Rules Aim To Prevent Confusion Around The 2020 Vote

By NPR News September 10, 2020

Twitter says it will crack down on attempts to undermine faith in the November election or incite unrest. CREDIT: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Twitter will label or remove posts that spread misinformation. Social media companies are under pressure to curb the spread of false claims and prevent interference from foreign and domestic actors. Continue Reading Twitter’s New Rules Read More

Idaho Legislature Passes Liability Protection Bill, Wrapping Up Quick Special Session

By NWPB News August 27, 2020

A large crowd of onlookers and protesters, most not wearing masks, some open carrying firearms, gathered in the Idaho Capitol in Boise for the state's special legislative session that began Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. CREDIT: Sami Edge/Idaho Education News

After three unusual days in a special session, the Idaho House and Senate passed a civil liability immunity bill designed to protect school officials from lawsuits amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading Read More

Former Washington U.S. Senator Slade Gorton Dies At 92

By Austin Jenkins August 19, 2020

Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton has died at the age of 92. A Republican, he served three terms in the Senate. He was also a state lawmaker and three-term state attorney general. CREDIT: U.S. Senate

Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton of Washington, a three-term Republican and 9/11 commissioner, has died at the age of 92. Thomas Slade Gorton III was born in Chicago in 1928. He was a descendant of the Gorton Seafood family of Massachusetts. But it was politics that attracted him from a young age. Read More

Washington Primary: Jay Inslee, Loren Culp Advance To General; Other Races Still Being Counted

By NWPB News August 5, 2020

The race for governor and lieutenant governor were among dozens of federal, statewide and local races that voters were deciding in the state’s top-two primary, in which the top two vote-getters advance to the November ballot, regardless of party. Last-minute voters had until 8 p.m. to drop their ballots off at drop off boxes around the state. Read More

‘Hogwash’: Jay Inslee Responds To President Trump On Pressure To Reopen Schools For Fall Term

By Austin Jenkins July 9, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at a news conference at Columbia Basin College in Pasco June 30, 2020. Hecklers yelling at him, some with signs and flags for Trump 2020 and Republican gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp, caused the event to be moved inside. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is responding to President Donald Trump’s threat to penalize states that don’t reopen schools this fall. At a news conference Thursday, Inslee pushed back hard on the president and said the state won’t be bullied. Read More

Republic Police Chief, Candidate For Governor Responds To Suit Over Handling Of Abuse Investigation

By Nicholas Deshais July 7, 2020

Republic, Washington police chief Loren Culp is running for governor. But before that, he made headlines and national media appearances in 2018 for his stance against stricter gun safety measures passed by state voters.

A lawsuit filed in 2017 claims that Loren Culp and two other law enforcement officers didn’t properly investigate the claims of a 17-year-old girl, who said she’d been molested by a relative since she was five. Read More

More Americans Disapprove Of President Trump Now Than At Any Other Point Since Taking Office

By PBS Newshour June 28, 2020

Trump - Obama - Bush approval comparison at this point in presidency

PBS NewsHour, NPR and Marist conducted a survey June 22-24 that polled 1,640 U.S. adults with a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points and 1,515 registered voters with a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. Continue Read More

Critics Of Idaho Governor Organize ‘Special Session’ Of Legislature. It’s Unclear Whether That’s Legal

By NWPB News June 22, 2020

File photo. Gov. Brad Little speaks March 13, 2020 at a news conference. On Wednesday, April 15, he extended a stay-at-home order to the end of April, saying it’s needed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. CREDIT: Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP

A coalition of organizations — including the John Birch Society and Health Freedom Idaho, an anti-vaccination group — are organizing what they are calling a “special session” of the Legislature Tuesday. It’s unclear how many legislators will show and whether legislators can even convene a special session in the first place. Read More

Joe Biden Says Voters Who Believe Tara Reade ‘Probably Shouldn’t Vote For Me’

By NPR News May 15, 2020

While denying the sexual assault allegation, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden had this to say to potential voters: "I wouldn't vote for me if I believed Tara Reade."

In an interview on Thursday, the presidential candidate again denied the allegation of a 1993 sexual assault from a former Senate staffer. He also pledged, if elected, not to pardon President Trump. Continue Reading Joe Biden Says Read More

Read: Whistleblower Complaint Claims Federal Response To COVID-19 Prioritized Politics Over Science

By PBS Newshour May 6, 2020

In the complaint filed Tuesday, Dr. Rick Bright cites “his efforts to prioritize science and safety over political expediency” as reasons for his ousting.

A former vaccine expert with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) alleges in a whistleblower complaint that he was ousted because his efforts to address the coronavirus pandemic conflicted with those of President Donald Trump and other administration officials. Read More

Putin Could Stay President Until 2036 Under New Proposal

By NPR News March 10, 2020

A proposed constitutional amendment would reset term limits, giving the Russian president the ability to run again when his current term expires in 2024. Continue Reading Putin Could Stay President Until 2036 Under New ProposalRead More

Tim Eyman Promises ‘Aggressive’ Run For Governor, Switches From Independent To Republican Bid

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa February 13, 2020

Tim Eyman addresses a crowd of supporters in his home town of Yakima Wednesday, Feb. 12. He announced he’s running for governor of Washington as a Republican, not an independent, as he previously said in November. CREDIT: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa/NWPB

The announcement was met with jubilant cheers from supporters at a campaign event at Yakima’s McCormick Air Center. Eyman said he initially considered running as an independent because initiatives he sponsored in the past — from $30 car-tabs to a ban on affirmative action in 1998 — were nonpartisan. Read More

With His Campaign Struggling, Joe Biden Turns His Focus To South Carolina

By NPR News February 12, 2020

The former vice president's campaign is looking at South Carolina, where African Americans make up a large share of the electorate, as a must-win state. Continue Reading With His Campaign Struggling, Joe Biden Turns His Focus To South Read More

What We Know About The App That Delayed Iowa’s Caucus Results

By NPR News February 4, 2020

Iowa Democratic Party officials said a new smartphone app designed to speed the results actually ended up delaying them. Last month, NPR reported on security and other concerns with the app. Continue Reading What We Know About The App That Delayed Read More

5 Years After Lawsuit, Votes Of Latinx Residents Are At Issue In Yakima Government Change Debate

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 4, 2019

If Washington voters don't mail in ballots, they can return them in person to drop boxes like this one at the Yakima County Elections Office. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

Tuesday, Nov. 5 is election day, but the city of Yakima is debating what might go on its next ballot in 2020. Councilmembers are considering a proposal to put the establishment of a mayoral position to a vote. The Yakima mayor would replace the city manager’s position and be elected by the city at-large. Read More

A New Podcast From Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad Asks: Can Dolly Parton Heal America?

By NPR News October 29, 2019

WNYC's new podcast, Dolly Parton's America, examines the role of the country icon in building social bridges in a divided country. CREDIT: Christine de Carvalho/WNYC

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to WNYC's Jad Abumrad about his new podcast which explores the life and legacy of the prolific songwriter and her ability to bridge the divide in America. Continue Reading A New Podcast From Radiolab’s Read More

Cokie Roberts, Pioneering Journalist Who Helped Shape NPR, Dies At 75

By NPR News September 17, 2019

Roberts, who joined the fledgling network in 1978, was a seasoned Washington insider who developed a distinctive voice as a reporter and commentator for both NPR and ABC News. Continue Reading Cokie Roberts, Pioneering Journalist Who Helped Read More

Recap: Democrats Square Off In Debate With Newly Narrowed Down Field

By NWPB News September 12, 2019

A narrowed down field of Democratic presidential candidates met Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 for another in a series of debates. CREDIT: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

Ten Democratic candidates met Thursday night for a nearly three-hour debate. It was the first featured a newly narrowed down field, and the first featuring former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren on the same stage. Continue Read More

Former Defense Secretary Mattis Declines To Weigh In On Trump’s Leadership Fitness

By PBS Newshour September 3, 2019

James Mattis spent four decades in the Marines. He served as a commander in Afghanistan shortly after the al-Qaida attacks in 2001. Celeste Sloman for NPR

Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis said he wouldn’t “engage” on the question of President Donald Trump’s fitness for office, during an interview with PBS NewsHour. Continue Reading Former Defense Secretary Mattis Declines Read More

What You Need To Know About Fake Video, Audio And The 2020 Election

By NPR News September 2, 2019

"Deepfakes" are digitally altered images that make incidents appear real when they are not. Such altered files could have broad implications for politics. CREDIT: Marcus Marritt for NPR

Security experts have warned about the prospect of a new era of high quality faked video or audio, which some commentators worry could have deeply corrosive effects on U.S. democracy. Here's what you need to know. Continue Reading What You Read More

North Carolina Gerrymandering Trial Could Serve As Blueprint For Other States

By NPR News July 15, 2019

Protesters against gerrymandering at a March 2019 rally coinciding with Supreme Court hearings on major redistricting cases. After the court said the federal judiciary has no role in partisan redistricting cases, legal action is focused on state courts. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

The case has the potential to significantly alter how political maps are established in North Carolina while serving as a blueprint for legal challenges in other states. Continue Reading North Carolina Gerrymandering Trial Could Read More

Investigation Finds Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan ‘Did Not Promote Boeing’

By NPR News April 25, 2019

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan was cleared by the Pentagon's Inspector General of allegations of ethics violations. Shanahan is seen here testifying at a House Armed Services Committee hearing last month. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The Pentagon's Inspector General says former Boeing executive Patrick Shanahan 'fully complied' with ethics obligations. This clears the way for his potential nomination as defense secretary. Continue Reading Investigation Finds Read More

Attorney Michael Avenatti, Sometime Scourge To Trump, Now Faces Federal Charges

By NPR News March 25, 2019

PHOTO- Michael Avenatti, attorney for Stephanie Clifford, speaks to reporters as he leaves the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Sept. 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. Avenatti has been arrested on federal bank fraud and wire fraud charges. CREDIT: MARIO TAMA/GETTY IMAGES

Prosecutors in both California and New York City announced charges against the well-known onetime attorney for Stormy Daniels. Avenatti also had a cameo in the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation saga. Continue Reading Attorney Michael Read More

‘Yankee Go Home’ Says Maduro, As Political Crisis Takes Hold In Venezuela

By NPR News January 24, 2019

Venezuela's sitting president, Nicolás Maduro, attends a ceremony Thursday in Caracas to mark the opening of the judicial year at the Supreme Court of Justice. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has declared himself the interim president, but Maduro has not ceded power. CREDIT: CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS/REUTERS

Venezuelans woke up Thursday morning with two men both claiming to be their nation's rightful leader: sitting President Nicolás Maduro and upstart opposition leader Juan Guaidó, head of Venezuela's National Assembly. Continue Reading Read More

Dan Crenshaw, Navy SEAL And Congressman-Elect, Takes To ‘SNL’ For A Teachable Moment

By NPR News November 11, 2018

In this Nov. 10, 2018 photo provided by NBC, Lt. Com. Dan Crenshaw, left, a congressman-elect from Texas, appears next to comedian Pete Davidson during Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" in New York. CREDIT: Will Heath/NBC via AP

On Saturday, four days after he won his race, Dan Crenshaw appeared next to Pete Davidson on SNL, and after roasting the comedian with a bunch of prepared jokes, he accepted his apology. Crenshaw then offered up a lesson about civility in politics. Read More

‘Deceptive’ Mailings In Washington Legislative Races Prompt Campaign Finance Complaints

By Austin Jenkins October 23, 2018

Mailers like this one urging a write-in vote for a "real progressive" candidate were sent to voters in four hotly contested Washington state legislative races. COURTESY: FUSE WASHINGTON

Washington's Public Disclosure Commission said Monday it's received nine complaints about a series of controversial mailers that were sent to voters in Thurston County and four hotly contested state legislative districts from coastal Washington to Spokane. Read More

Alaska Independent Governor Bill Walker Drops Re-Election Bid, Backs Democrat

By NWPB News October 20, 2018

Three days after his lieutenant governor resigned for an "inappropriate overture," Bill Walker, polling far behind the Republican candidate, dropped out of the race to endorse Democrat Mark Begich. Continue Reading Alaska Read More

Washington, Oregon, Idaho Residents: Hurry Up And Register If You Want To Vote Nov. 6

By Zachary Garner October 5, 2018

Gus Clark deposits his vote-by-mail ballot in a collection box in Seattle in the 2016 election. CREDIT: TED S. WARREN/AP

With a month before the next election, you don’t have much time left to register if you want to vote November 6th in Washington, Oregon or Idaho. Continue Reading Washington, Oregon, Idaho Residents: Hurry Up And Register If Read More

Fact Check: Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ Tuition Increase Claim Against Lisa Brown Inaccurate

By NWPB News September 26, 2018

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, right, traded policy ideas with her Democratic opponent Lisa Brown during a debate Sept. 19, 2018, in Spokane. CREDIT: AP PHOTO/TED S. WARREN

Washington State 5th Congressional District Republican U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers contends in a television ad that her Democratic opponent Lisa Brown voted to raise college tuition in Washington by more than 80 percent while serving as a state lawmaker. Read More

Jay Inslee Let Cabinet Official Stay On The Job Two Months After Resignation

By Austin Jenkins August 17, 2018

In March, Governor Jay Inslee announced Dale Peinecke's resignation as commissioner of the Employment Security Department following a workplace conduct investigation. But Peinecke ended up running the agency remotely for two more months after that. CREDIT: WASHINGTON EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPT.

Last March, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced the resignation of one of his longest-serving cabinet members, Employment Security Department head Dale Peinecke. But as it turned out, Peinecke continued to run his agency while working remotely for two more months. He then took paid leave until the end of June when he turned 65—and could retire. Read More

Vindicated By Washington High Court, Lawyer With Criminal Past Becomes Campaign Fodder

By Austin Jenkins July 17, 2018

Tarra Simmons, an honors law school graduate with a criminal past, was the subject of a political mailer attacking a Democratic candidate for the Washington Senate.

The past eight months have been a whirlwind of victories for Tarra Simmons—an honors law school graduate with a criminal past. This week something happened that Simmons could not have anticipated. A political mailer started showing up in mailboxes in the 26th Legislative District that attacked a Democratic candidate for state Senate, Emily Randall, for supporting Simmons Read More

Record Number Of Native Americans Running For State And Federal Offices In 2018

By NPR News July 4, 2018

Deb Haaland worked on President Obama's 2008 campaign before chairing New Mexico's Democratic Party. Now she's running for office with a record number of other Native Americans across the country.

In Oklahoma, there is a race between two Native American candidates, one a Democrat and the other a Republican. As for statewide offices, there are more Native Americans running for lieutenant governor alone, six candidates, than the number who ran for statewide offices across the country in 2016. Read More

Idaho Primary Results: Brad Little And Paulette Jordan Advance In Governor’s Race

By Frankie Barnhill May 16, 2018

Democratic Paulette Jordan addresses supporters after winning the party primary Tuesday, May 15, 2018. CREDIT: AMANDA PREACHER/BSPR

Two of the most bruising Republican primaries in 2018 were the gubernatorial race and the race for Idaho’s First Congressional District. Continue Reading Idaho Primary Results: Brad Little And Paulette Jordan Advance In Governor’s RaceRead More

FACT CHECK: Where Roy Moore’s Voter Fraud Claims Fall Flat

By NPR News December 29, 2017

The Alabama GOP Senate nominee's lawsuit was dismissed by a judge on Thursday as the secretary of state certified Democrat Doug Jones the winner of the special election earlier this month. Continue Reading FACT CHECK: Where Roy Moore’s Voter Read More

Gingrich Attracts North Idaho Voters Still On The Fence

By Sueann Ramella February 24, 2012

Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista attended a campaign rally in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Thursday evening. PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA ROBINSON / NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Newt Gingrich was in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Thursday night to fund raise and rally voters before the state’s Super Tuesday caucus. Newt Gingrich: “Barack Obama is,… Read More