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.”
UPDATE: Height of some Kilauea lava fountains nearly 300 feet
UPDATED 10:25 a.m.
Kona man wins prestigious wildlife photo contest
A“jaunty” sea bug captured on film by a Kailua-Kona man is the star of one of the world’s preeminent wildlife photography contests.
County’s plan to vacate HBMC morgue moves ahead
Hawaii County is making progress toward relieving the severely overcrowded Hilo Benioff Medical Center’s morgue of what are referred to as “HPD bodies,” according to Hawaii Police Department Chief Ben Moszkowicz.
Insurers are deserting homeowners as climate shocks worsen
SILVER CITY, N.M. — The insurance crisis spreading across the United States arrived at Richard D. Zimmel’s door this month in the form of a letter.
House passes bill to avert shutdown with hours to spare
WASHINGTON — The House on Friday approved legislation to avert a federal shutdown that was just hours away, with lawmakers extending funding into mid-March and approving $100 billion in disaster relief for parts of the nation still reeling from storms. The Senate was expected to quickly follow suit.
Hawaii pilot killed in plane crash was set to get wings, propose to girlfriend
Collecting debris from the fatal plane crash is NTSB’s focus
Why it’s hard to control what gets taught in public schools
Oklahoma and Texas are among more than 20 states that have passed laws since 2021 seeking to control how race, gender and American history are discussed in schools.
Hilo jail expansion unveiled
Corrections officials, dignitaries and other prominent community members gathered Thursday at Hawaii Community Correctional Center’s main Hilo campus to dedicate the brand-new Kaumana Housing Unit.
Amazon workers strike at seven US facilities ahead of Christmas rush
NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO — Amazon.com workers at seven U.S. facilities walked off the job early on Thursday during the holiday shopping rush as workers protest what they say is the retailing giant’s unfair treatment of its employees.
Trump-backed spending deal fails in House, shutdown approaches
WASHINGTON — A spending bill backed by Donald Trump failed in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday as dozens of Republicans defied the president-elect, leaving Congress with no clear plan to avert a fast-approaching government shutdown that could disrupt Christmas travel.
Income tax cuts set to kick in
Hawaii taxpayers should have a happy New Year as the first of a series of historic tax cuts takes effect in January.
Trio who escaped from Hale Nani still at large
Three inmates who reportedly escaped Friday in a stolen car from Hawaii Community Correctional Center’s Hale Nani Facility remained at large as of late Wednesday afternoon.
Council urges changes to midwives law
Big Island midwives and the Hawaii County Council are urging the state to remove a requirement that midwives must have a license in order to practice.
Amazon workers to strike at multiple US warehouses during busy holiday season
Thousands of Amazon.com workers will walk off the job on Thursday morning, in the crucial final days of the holiday season, after union officials said the retailer failed to come to the bargaining table to negotiate contracts. The strike is a challenge to Amazon’s operations as it races to fulfill orders during its busiest season of the year, although union-represented facilities represent only about 1% of Amazon’s hourly workforce. In the New York City area, for example, the company has multiple warehouses and smaller delivery depots. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said unionized workers at facilities in New York City; Skokie, Illinois; Atlanta, San Francisco and southern California will join the picket line to seek contracts guaranteeing better wages and work conditions. The Teamsters union has said it represents about 10,000 workers at 10 of the company’s U.S. facilities. Workers at seven of those facilities will walk out on Thursday, the Teamsters said. An Amazon spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
California declares an emergency over bird flu in cattle
In a stark acknowledgment of the increasing seriousness of bird flu’s spread, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared on Wednesday that the outbreak of infections among the state’s dairy cattle constituted an emergency.
Kuawa Street homeless camp closes
A Hawaii County homeless shelter established near Mamalahoa Highway in July has been disbanded.
Gov. Josh Green’s state budget accounts for tax cuts, fire settlement
Tsunami museum in trouble: Downtown Hilo site closes due to financial woes; staff laid off
The Pacific Tsunami Museum is in dire financial straits, and its organizers hope the community will step up and help it navigate out of troubled waters.
