Biden commutes 37 death sentences ahead of Trump’s plan to resume federal executions
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Monday commuted the sentences of nearly all prisoners on federal death row, sparing the lives of 37 men just a month before Donald Trump will return to the Oval Office with a promise to restart federal executions.
House ethics panel report accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex and using drugs
WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee said Monday that its lengthy investigation had found that former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., President-elect Donald Trump’s initial choice for attorney general, had regularly paid women for sex, had sex with an underage girl and used illegal drugs.
Hawaii residents getting COVID vaccines are now the minority
Kilauea puts on ‘outstanding’ show in HVNP
It’s a “Pele Kalikimaka” in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, according to Jessica Ferracane, the park’s spokeswoman, referring to the eruption that started early Monday morning within Kilauea volcano’s Halema‘uma‘u crater.
U.S. takes aim at China’s production of essential computer chips
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration initiated a trade investigation Monday into China’s production of older types of computer chips that are integral for cars, dishwashers, telecom networks and military weaponry.
D.C. police officer convicted over leaking information to Proud Boys’ leader
WASHINGTON — A federal judge Monday found a former intelligence officer in the Washington police department guilty of obstruction of justice and lying to investigators, ruling that he had improperly concealed details about his relationship with Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right group the Proud Boys.
Let’s Talk Food: Holiday desserts
Merry Christmas!
Obituaries for December 24
Marva Cornwell, 88, of Puna died Dec, 13. No services. No known family. Survivors are asked to call Hilo Benioff Medical Center at (808) 932-3500, option 4.
Honda and Nissan aim to merge as global competition bears down
TOKYO — Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Corp. are exploring a merger to create one of the world’s largest auto groups as they seek to better position themselves for the expensive technological transition reshaping the automotive industry.
UPDATE: Height of some Kilauea lava fountains nearly 300 feet
UPDATED 10:25 a.m.
Trump previews second term in sprawling speech to conservative conference
PHOENIX — President-elect Donald Trump delivered a sprawling address on Sunday that he called a “small preview of the common-sense revolution” his administration will bring, pledging to slam shut the nation’s borders, end federal regulations, lower taxes, prosecute his rivals, “stop woke” and “end the transgender lunacy.”
EPA says military violated Red Hill consent decree, issues fine
Jeff Bezos prepares to close the gap in his space race with Elon Musk
SEATTLE — Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have become the two wealthiest men in the world thanks to their breakthrough technology companies. But Musk, through SpaceX, has long held a big lead in the pursuit closest to their hearts: colonizing space.
A new way to travel between islands? State agencies show interest in proposed seacraft
Interisland travel could be cheaper, cleaner and lower under a proposal by a partnership between state agencies and a private transportation developer.
Israeli order to evacuate Gaza hospital ‘next to impossible’ to obey, say medics
CAIRO — Israel ordered the closure and evacuation on Sunday of one of the last hospitals still partly functioning in a besieged area on the northern edge of the Gaza Strip, forcing medics to search for a way to bring hundreds of patients and staff to safety.
Suspect held after woman set on fire in subway car dies, police say
NEW YORK — Early Sunday morning, a man calmly approached a woman who was sitting motionless and possibly dozing on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station and, without saying anything, lit the woman’s clothes on fire, engulfing her in deadly flames in seconds, the police said.
Trump names his picks for top Pentagon roles
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate four men for top leadership roles at the Pentagon, including two who served in his first administration, he announced on social media Sunday.
A cultural casualty of the war in Ukraine: ‘The Nutcracker’
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Unimpressed by the substitute for Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” the mother and her young daughter left at the intermission, a small protest over a decision by the opera house not to perform the Russian composer’s Christmas classic.
Trump lawsuits, threats a clear and wrongheaded effort to bully the press
It’s wrong for the incoming president to start suing newspapers and it’s a transparent effort to bully the press, but there Donald Trump stood last Monday, proclaiming that “we have to straighten out the press. Our press is very corrupt. Almost as corrupt as our elections.”
History will be kinder to Joe Biden than the pollsters
Now that pollsters are declaring President Joe Biden a “failure,” historians will reckon with too many economic signals rendering the prevailing narrative little more than media noise.
NFL roundup: Jalen Hurts injured as Eagles fall to Commanders
Jayden Daniels threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder with six seconds remaining and the Washington Commanders beat the visiting Philadelphia Eagles 36-33 on Sunday.
Lady Daggers win at home; Kea‘au gets back on track
PAHOA — Pahoa girls basketball soared to another win Saturday night against the visiting Waiakea Lady Warriors.
BIIF soccer: ‘Riders win in one half; Warriors sweep
KEALAKEHE — Kealakehe boys soccer won under unique circumstances over Waiakea on Saturday afternoon at Waverider Stadium.
No Nick Nash, San Jose State sets sights on South Florida
All those curious to see if San Jose State wideout Nick Nash is the real deal will have to wait.
Tyler Higbee’s emotional return propels Rams to eighth win in 10 games
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Los Angeles Rams, who started the season 1-4, who rolled out the most random combinations at receiver and offensive line imaginable through that time due to early-season injuries, who had a tangible avenue toward blowing their offensive roster up ahead of the trade deadline …
