Around the region

Giant Snacks Inc. started the exchange last month by filing a lawsuit against Wild Dutchman Products Inc. and one of its partners, alleging that Wild Dutchman is misleading consumers about the amount of salt in its products. Wild Dutchman came back with a countersuit earlier this week for what it calls bogus claims Giant Snacks is making about its relationship with sunflower farmers.

Trauner announces Senate bid

The last time Gary Trauner ran for national office he was accused of having robbed a bank when he was 16. Though not true, it taught the 58-year-old Wilson resident an important lesson. "People will do anything to win, and though lots of people say they don't like negative campaigning, it's effective," Trauner said Friday, soon after announcing that he would run as a Democrat in the 2018 race for U.S. Senate.

Trump dropped his ‘facelift’ tweet in an already very tough political environment for women

Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events When President Trump tried to knock down a powerful female cable news host as a dumb, vanity-filled figure last week, it was one of the more overt displays of sexism in politics in years. But women in Washington have been living with less-overt gender-derived challenges to their authority long before Trump came along, as underscored by a new report from the Center for American Women in Politics and Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.

US declines prosecution of government worker in mine spill

U.S. prosecutors have declined to pursue criminal charges against an employee of the Environmental Protection Agency over a massive mine wastewater spill that fouled rivers in three states, a federal watchdog agency said. The EPA's Office of Inspector General disclosed Wednesday that it recently presented evidence to prosecutors that the unnamed employee may have violated the Clean Water Act and given false statements.

Liz Cheney wins primary for post her father held

In this photo provided by David Hume Kennerly, Wyoming U.S. House Republican candidate Liz Cheney gets a hug from her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney at his home in Wilson, Wyo., after she won the party's primary Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016. Her victory Tuesday in the Republican primary likely signals that she will win the seat in the general election this fall.

LISTEN: 7 Exchanges That Explain FBI Director’s Decision On The Clinton Case

FBI Director James Comey testifies during a hearing before House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Thursday. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption For more than four hours, FBI Director James Comey answered questions from the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bill would give vouchers to escape Obama school bathroom rule

Rep. Cynthia Lummis is sponsoring a bill that would allow parents who object to the latest federal guidelines on transgender students to receive education vouchers for private schools or homeschooling. Lummis, R-Wyo., said the bill comes in response to the May edict issued by the Justice Department advising the nation's public schools that transgender students may enter locker rooms, bathrooms and join sports teams that adhere to gender identity.