Far too little vote fraud to tip election to Trump, AP finds
ATLANTA — An Associated Press review of every potential case of voter fraud in the six battleground states disputed by former President Donald Trump has found fewer than 475 — a number that would have made no difference in the 2020 presidential election.
NASA craft ‘touches’ sun for 1st time, dives into atmosphere
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A NASA spacecraft has officially “touched” the sun, plunging through the unexplored solar atmosphere known as the corona.
National and world news at a glance
House votes to hold Mark Meadows in contempt in Jan. 6 probe
CDC director says omicron could dominate in the US within ‘weeks’ over delta variant
WASHINGTON — Omicron is rapidly spreading and could become the predominant variant of the coronavirus in the United States “on the order of weeks” over the delta variant, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Tuesday.
Worker says she risked discipline if she left job amid storm
MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) — An employee of the Kentucky candle factory where eight workers were killed by a tornado said Tuesday that a supervisor threatened her with written disciplinary action if she went home early because storms were approaching.
Senate votes to raise debt limit by $2.5T, avoiding default
WASHINGTON — The Senate approved legislation Tuesday to lift the nation’s debt limit by $2.5 trillion under a deal struck between party leaders, defusing a volatile issue until after next year’s midterm elections while saddling majority Democrats with a tough vote.
Island Life: Goodnight moon
The moon is seen from Spencer Beach Park early Nov. 16 as it made its way toward the horizon.
Letters to the Editor: December 15, 2021
Proposed rule is ridiculous
My Turn: Enterococcus test sparks meaningless interpretations
Does a single high blood pressure reading signal impending heart failure? Absolutely not. Last month, a single state water test in Kailua Bay revealed an enterococci (ENT) Test result of 2,000 CFU per 100 ml of seawater. The action level at which warnings must issued is 130. The 2,000 result is very strongly positive but positive for what? We do not know, and there is no way to find out what happened on Nov. 8 that resulted in the high value.
Warriors’ Stephen Curry breaks the NBA career 3-point record
NEW YORK — Stephen Curry has shot his way to the top of the NBA record book for 3-pointers.
Latest NIL twist: Millions being pledged to college athletes
AUSTIN, Texas — Six months after one of the biggest rule changes in the history of college sports, money for athletes is being pledged by the millions in a development that has raised concerns about the role of wealthy alumni eager to back their beloved alma maters.
Verlander, Astros finalize $25 million, 1-year contract
HOUSTON — Justin Verlander’s $25 million, one-year contract with the Houston Astros has been finalized, nearly a month after it was agreed to.
Back from 2-week break, No. 2 Duke routs South Carolina St
DURHAM, N.C. — AJ Griffin scored 19 points and No. 2 Duke cruised past South Carolina State 103-62 on Tuesday night.
New guidelines, Booster Day looming as COVID disrupts NBA
DENVER — There’s no game in Chicago on Tuesday, no trip for the Bulls to Toronto for another on Thursday.
Atkinson’s hat trick leads Flyers to 6-1 victory over Devils
PHILADELPHIA — Cam Atkinson had three goals and an assist to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 6-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
Officials urge vaccination as US COVID death toll hits 800,000
The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 topped 800,000 on Tuesday, a once-unimaginable figure seen as doubly tragic, given that more than 200,000 of those lives were lost after the vaccine became available practically for the asking last spring.
Man charged in Puna slaying
A 60-year-old Aloha Estates man has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder for the shooting death of his neighbor.
Police investigating Kona assault
Hawaii Island police are investigating a reported assault that occurred late Dec. 3 on Henry Street in Kailua-Kona.
Police nab 19 for suspected DUI
Hawaii Island police arrested 19 motorists for suspected drunken driving Dec. 6 and Sunday. Three of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes and two were younger than age 21.
Letters to the Editor: December 14, 2021
Please get vaccinated
Lattes and labor: Starbucks should see union vote not as a defeat, but opportunity to let workers make decision that’s right for them
With a vote of 19-8, workers at a Starbucks in Buffalo have officially become the first U.S. employees in the global coffee shop behemoth to form a union. The victory must have been all the sweeter after federal labor officials permitted three locations to vote separately, rejecting the company’s effort to force all 20 cafes around Buffalo to hold a single vote.
Obituaries: December 14, 2021
Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. Content is subject to editing for parity treatment and style continuity. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Any questions regarding obituaries should be directed to the mortuary or via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Big California storm dumps snow, drenches parched regions
SAN FRANCISCO — Motorists spun out on whitened mountain passes and residents wielded umbrellas that flopped in the face of fierce winds as Northern California absorbed even more rain and snow on Monday, bringing the possibility of rockslides and mudslides to areas scarred by wildfires following an especially warm and dry fall across the U.S. West.
Air Force discharges 27 for refusal to get COVID vaccine
WASHINGTON — The Air Force has discharged 27 people for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine, making them what officials believe are the first service members to be removed for disobeying the mandate to get the shots.
Thousands without heat, water after tornadoes kill dozens
MAYFIELD, Ky. — Residents of Kentucky counties where tornadoes killed dozens of people could be without heat, water or electricity in frigid temperatures for weeks or longer, state officials warned Monday, as the toll of damage and deaths came into clearer focus in five states slammed by the swarm of twisters.
