The Columbian

FILE - In this June 30, 2020, file photo Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell, reflected in the sneeze guard set up between himself and members of the House Committee on Financial Services, speaks during a hearing on oversight of the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve pandemic response on Capitol Hill in Washington. With the economy still in the pandemic's grip, the Federal Reserve is facing a decision on whether to stretch an emergency lending program in a way that could bring more risk for the government and taxpayers. Lawmakers are pressing the central bank to deliver more aid to struggling small and mid-sized businesses.

Too risky? Fed pressed to expand aid to some businesses

August 29, 2020, 2:01pm Nation & World

With the economy still in the pandemic’s grip, the Federal Reserve is facing a decision on whether to stretch an emergency lending program in a way that could bring more risk for the government and taxpayers. Lawmakers are pressing the central bank to deliver more aid to struggling small and… Read story

Nurses on NY’s front lines call for minimum staffing ratios

August 29, 2020, 1:58pm Nation & World

Nurses on the front lines of New York’s COVID-19 pandemic are calling for the state to enact minimum staffing standards ahead of another wave of infections. Read story

Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020.

Biden, Harris prepare to travel more as campaign heats up

August 29, 2020, 1:44pm Nation & World

After spending a pandemic spring and summer tethered almost entirely to his Delaware home, Joe Biden plans to take his presidential campaign to battleground states after Labor Day in his bid to unseat President Donald Trump. Read story

37 at SeaTac federal detention center infected with coronavirus

August 28, 2020, 6:24pm Northwest

The Federal Detention Center in SeaTac says it has a cluster of coronavirus infections among inmates and staff. Read story

The Clark County Courthouse, left, and Clark County Jail in this aerial view taken in 2018.

Clark County Jail’s population seeing steady increase despite pandemic

August 28, 2020, 5:29pm Clark County News

The Clark County Jail’s inmate population has been recently steadily increasing, prompting Sheriff Chuck Atkins to request a group of law enforcement officials to reconvene and, once again, determine how to reduce the numbers amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Read story