Biden honors ‘giant of our history’ Bob Dole at US Capitol
WASHINGTON — Bob Dole lay in state Thursday at the U.S. Capitol, as the president and others gathered to pay tribute to a “giant of our history” who served the country in war and in politics with pragmatism, self-deprecating wit and a bygone era’s sense of common civility and compromise.
The AP Interview: General says US troops to remain in Iraq
WASHINGTON — The top U.S. commander for the Middle East said Thursday that the United States will keep the current 2,500 troops in Iraq for the foreseeable future, and he warned that he expects increasing attacks on U.S. and Iraqi personnel by Iranian-backed militias determined to get American forces out.
AP-NORC Poll: Income is up, but Americans focus on inflation
WASHINGTON — Americans’ overall income has accelerated since the pandemic, but so has inflation — and a new poll finds that far more people are noticing the higher prices than the pay gains.
National and world news at a glance
Duggar convicted of downloading child sexual abuse imagery
Navy halts Hawaii fuel tank operations during investigation
HONOLULU — The Navy will stop operations at fuel storage tanks above an Oahu aquifer until the completion of its own investigation into how petroleum got into tap water.
US Navy commissions Pearl Harbor-based USS Daniel Inouye
PEARL HARBOR — The U.S. Navy on Wednesday commissioned the USS Daniel Inouye, named after the long-serving U.S. senator from Hawaii and decorated World War II veteran.
My Turn: How the planning department makes the infrastructure problems in West Hawaii worse, and a solution
The Hawaii County Planning Department needs to modernize and do better for West Hawaii, giving developers and the public definite guidelines, emphasize proper authority in the County Council, increase the public confidence and respect for the land planning process, and level the playing field where it often appears that applicant-developers are favored over the public. Specific examples of recent applications to then Planning Department and the Leeward Planning Commission are available.
Beat-Lele gets back to the Big Island
December is always a special time for Beatles fans, and this year didn’t disappoint. Disney+ is currently streaming a nearly eight-hour docuseries called “Get Back,” which covers the making of the Beatles’ 1970 album “Let It Be.” If that wasn’t enough, there are super deluxe versions of the original album and an accompanying 240-page hardcover book. But Big Island Beatlemaniacs got a little something extra.
Island Life: After the rain
A white hibiscus stands out against croton after an evening rain in Kona.
In Buddhism, women blaze a path but strive for gender equity
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, born in England, has devoted her life to attaining enlightenment in a female form — at one stage spending years isolated in a cave in the Himalayas to follow the rigorous path of the most devoted yogis. She later founded a nunnery in India focused on giving women in Tibetan Buddhism some of the same opportunities reserved for monks.
Ka‘u artist to display work in Waimea
Ka‘u artist Edwin Kayton will include his marble sculpture, “Call of the Pu,” as well as several original oils and framed giclees on canvas in an exhibit in the former AT&T store in Waimea Center.
WHDTA presents ‘The Nutcracker’
West Hawaii Dance Theatre and Academy lights up the holidays by presenting “The Nutcracker” ballet.
West Hawaii County Band plans holiday concert
The West Hawaii County Band presents a free holiday concert at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona.
CSO one step closer to decommissioning
The planned dismantling and removal of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory from Maunakea has cleared another hurdle with the publication Wednesday of the final environmental assessment.
Leaking California oil pipe’s safeguards not fully working
LOS ANGELES — The ruptured offshore pipeline that spilled tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil off the Southern California coast this fall did not have a fully functioning leak detection system at the time, according to a report obtained by The Associated Press.
Navy halts Oahu fuel tank operations during investigation
HONOLULU — The Navy will stop operations at fuel storage tanks above a Hawaii aquifer until the completion of its own investigation into how petroleum got into tap water.
CDC chief says omicron mostly mild so far
NEW YORK — More than 40 people in the U.S. have been found to be infected with the omicron variant so far, and more than three-quarters of them had been vaccinated, the chief of the CDC said Wednesday. But she said nearly all of them were only mildly ill.
COVID cases spike even as US hits 200M vaccine milestone
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The number of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 reached 200 million Wednesday amid a dispiriting holiday-season spike in cases and hospitalizations that has hit even New England, one of the most highly inoculated corners of the country.
Campground sex assault trial continues
Jury trial continued Wednesday for a 21-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman in 2019 at a South Kohala campground.
Parks herbicide ban moves forward
The County Council on Wednesday advanced on first reading a bill banning the use of glyphosate-based herbicides in county parks.
Council passes 3% TAT: New hotel tax makes up for state cuts
Visitors to Hawaii Island hotels and vacation rentals will be digging a little deeper come Jan. 1, with the County Council on Wednesday unanimously passing a 3% local option lodging tax.
California plans to be abortion sanctuary if Roe overturned
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With more than two dozen states poised to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court gives them the OK next year, California clinics and their allies in the state Legislature on Wednesday revealed a plan to make the state a “sanctuary” for those seeking reproductive care, including possibly paying for travel, lodging and procedures for people from other states.
Pfizer says COVID booster offers protection against omicron
Pfizer said Wednesday that a booster of its COVID-19 vaccine may offer important protection against the new omicron variant even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective.
National and world news at a glance
Biden orders federal vehicles and buildings to use renewable energy by 2050
Island Life: Holiday color
Poinsettias are blooming in Pahala.
