The Latest Breaking News from McClatchy Washington Bureau

Charges against Russian accountant unveil more 2018 Kremlin election meddling

WASHINGTON _ Federal prosecutors said Friday they thwarted a new attempt by Russia to create phony personae of American political activists and stir up trouble on divisive issues like immigration and gun control to sway U.S. voters in the run-up to midterm elections.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Oct 19, 2018

Washington tops all states in anti-corruption ranking

WASHINGTON _ Washington state may share a name with the nation's capital, but there's no big swamp that needs to be drained in the Pacific Northwest, according to a new independent ranking of anti-corruption laws.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Oct 19, 2018

'Black folk will be catching hell again.' Ads seek to scare Missouri's black voters

WASHINGTON _ A new radio ad seeks to frighten black voters away from Sen. Claire McCaskill's campaign by suggesting the Democrat supports lynchings.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Oct 19, 2018

Kansas Republican and his dad spent $1.2 million on his race � mostly against GOP rivals

WASHINGTON _ Kansas Republican Steve Watkins and his father have given a combined $1.24 million to boost the younger Watkins' bid for an open seat in the U.S House of Representatives _ an eye-popping sum for a congressional race in Kansas.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Oct 17, 2018

Should Brian Kemp oversee his own governor's race?

COLUMBUS, Ga. _ Brian Kemp is running for governor of Georgia. But he's currently the Georgia secretary of state, charged with making sure the gubernatorial election is fair.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Oct 17, 2018

Trump takes aim at Cuba, holds Havana responsible for Venezuelan crisis

WASHINGTON _ The White House plans to turn up the pressure on Cuba for its role in what a senior administration official on Wednesday said was its efforts to subvert democracy in Venezuela and propping up President Nicolas Maduro.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Oct 17, 2018

Trump-backed candidate in Kansas liked Facebook post calling police 'thug criminals'

WASHINGTON _ Kansas Republican Steve Watkins liked Facebook posts describing police officers as "thug criminals" and racist a few years before he became a candidate for the House and gained the full-throated backing of President Donald Trump _ an enthusiastic defender of the police.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Oct 16, 2018

Black Caucus members tell Jim Clyburn to step it up ahead of midterms

WASHINGTON _ Rep. Jim Clyburn's friends want him well-positioned to be a top House leader next year, so they're sending him a strong, tough message: Get off the sidelines and be aggressive.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Oct 16, 2018

Andrew Malcolm: Trump's bid to reshape China policy is dangerous � and vital

Before he even took office, Donald Trump signaled that his policies toward China would differ drastically from his predecessor. They still do.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Oct 16, 2018

Inside the veteran candidate network fighting to remake the Democratic Party

RICHMOND, Va. _ Eight days after a Republican super PAC publicized confidential records of a CIA officer-turned-congressional candidate, national security experts were still seething.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Oct 16, 2018