Panel’s work is crucial to preserving freedoms and democracy
How do you draft a blueprint to ensure accountability for a violent attack on our democracy and prevent similar attacks in the future? Over the last several months, the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has been doing that critical and unprecedented work.
Russia: US air defense systems could be targets in Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned Thursday that if the U.S. delivers sophisticated air defense systems to Ukraine, those systems and any crews that accompany them would be a “legitimate target” for the Russian military, a blunt threat that was quickly rejected by Washington.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to be next NCAA president
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker will be the next president of the NCAA, stepping in to lead an organization with diminished power amid sweeping change across college sports.
GOP’s ‘tough on crime’ ads failed
The GOP’s ads were dark and ominous: grainy footage with a message that screams “you are not safe.” You know which ads I’m talking about because the Republican party spent more than $150 million on them this midterm election cycle.
Fed raises key rate by half-point and signals more to come
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve reinforced its inflation fight Wednesday by raising its key interest rate for the seventh time this year and signaling more hikes to come. But it announced a smaller hike than it had in its past four meetings at a time when inflation is showing signs of easing.
Ethics complaints filed against two county planners
Two island residents have filed ethics complaints against Planning Department staffers, saying they were laughed at and disrespected when they opposed developments in Pepeekeo and Keaukaha.
AP-NORC Poll: Americans say holiday gifts harder to afford
More than half of U.S. adults say it’s harder to afford the holiday gifts they want to give this year.
‘Deep monitor well’ planned for Waimea
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will dig a nearly 2,000-foot well to monitor groundwater conditions in Waimea.
Report: More than 25% of missing girls in state are Native Hawaiian
A study released Wednesday found that Native Hawaiian women and girls “experience violence at rates disproportionate to their population size.”
HFD on target to meet budget
The Hawaii Fire Department remained on target to its annual budget as of November, just under halfway through the fiscal year.
Sandy Hook anniversary: Biden cites ‘societal guilt’ on guns
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Wednesday said the U.S. “should have societal guilt” for the slow pace of action on restricting access to firearms as he marked the 10th anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Paul Pelosi attack: Man told cops of ‘evil’ in Washington
SAN FRANCISCO — The man accused of attacking the husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said there was “evil in Washington” and he was looking to harm Pelosi because she is second in line for the presidency, a San Francisco police investigator testified Wednesday.
Obituaries for December 15
Helen Ann Lee Mc Iver, 79, of Hilo died Dec. 10 in Hilo. Born in Queens, N.Y., she was retired from Bank of Hawaii and American Savings Bank. Celebration of her life at a later date. Survived by daughters, Neva (Hansen) Tsang and Kelly Lee (Stanley) Wilbur of Hilo; son, Paul (Wilma) Mc Iver of Sarasota, Fla.; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Your Views for December 15
Questionable process
Greene’s sick ‘joke’ about Jan. 6 speaks volumes about McCarthy’s cravenness
Did you hear the latest knee-slapper from Marjorie Taylor Greene? The Georgia congresswoman quipped that if she had “organized” the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, “we would have won,” and that she would have brought weapons. Greene later insisted that she was kidding — just a little joke, about a melee that cost lives and has done incalculable damage to America’s democratic norms.
Fusion energy is starting to look real
Is the age of nuclear fusion finally dawning?
‘Home for the Hilodays’ show features singing, dancing
“Home for the Hilodays,” a singing- and dancing-filled holiday extravaganza, is back at the Palace Theater this weekend.
‘Winning Edge Leadership for Women’ workshop on Jan. 13
Sylvia Dolena will present “Winning Edge Leadership for Women” on Friday, Jan. 13.
Scores of keiki attend Christmas Carnival
Nearly 100 keiki ranging from ages 3 to 15 celebrated the Christmas spirit during the Hamakua Christmas Carnival earlier this month.
Peru’s new government declares police state amid protests
LIMA, Peru — Peru’s new government declared a national emergency Wednesday as it struggled to calm violent protests over President Pedro Castillo’s ouster, suspending the rights of “personal security and freedom” across the Andean nation for 30 days.
Jesuits admit artist excommunicated before new abuse claims
ROME — The head of Pope Francis’ Jesuit religious order admitted Wednesday that a famous Jesuit priest had been convicted of one of the most serious crimes in the Catholic Church some two years before the Vatican decided to shelve another case against him for allegedly abusing other adult women under his spiritual care.
US military creates space unit in S. Korea to watch North
SEOUL, South Korea — The U.S. military formally launched a space force unit in South Korea on Wednesday, its first such facility on foreign territory that will likely enable Washington to better monitor its rivals North Korea, China and Russia.
Trump Org. was secretly held in contempt for hindering probe
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s company impeded a grand jury investigation last year by repeatedly failing to turn over evidence in a timely fashion, leading to a secret contempt finding and a $4,000 fine, according to court records made public Tuesday.
3 dead in Louisiana as US storm spawns Southern tornadoes
KEITHVILLE, La. — A volatile storm ripping across the U.S. spawned tornadoes blamed for killing at least three people in Louisiana, and the line of punishing weather threatened neighboring Southern states into the nighttime hours Wednesday.
Foreign college athletes chase endorsement money outside US
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — Marta Suarez stepped in front of the white backdrop, rotated the basketball to put the logo forward and propped it against her hip. She looked into the camera and smiled, her head tilting slightly to the right.
