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.
Income tax cuts kick in
Hawaii taxpayers should have a happy New Year as the first of a series of historic tax cuts takes effect in January.
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 Kamana Housing Unit.
Government lurches toward shutdown after House tanks Trump’s spending plan
The government lurched toward a shutdown after the House on Thursday rejected a hastily produced plan ordered up by President-elect Donald Trump to keep funding flowing, with dozens of Republicans defying his demand to pair the spending with a two-year suspension of the federal debt limit.
Amazon workers strike at seven US facilities ahead of Christmas rush
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘An opportunity to start fresh’
The reshuffled Hawaii County Council hopes to improve its relationships with the new county administration to get things done faster.
Hilo’s Pacific Tsunami Museum is facing financial trouble
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.
Gov. Josh Green’s state budget accounts for tax cuts, fire settlement
Some Republican senators reluctant on Gabbard for spy chief
Eight Republican senators are unsure about supporting former Democratic member of congress Tulsi Gabbard to become America’s top spy, according to a Trump transition source and a second source with knowledge of the issue, increasing doubts about whether her nomination will secure Senate confirmation.
‘I could feel the fire on my face’: Witness describe Kainaliu fire
Witnesses to a large structure fire Sunday morning in South Kona said flames quickly engulfed the second story of the two-story building.
OHA Chair Kahele uses relationships to aid Native Hawaiians
Trump transition team plans sweeping rollback of Biden EV, emissions policies
Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s transition team is recommending sweeping changes to cut off support for electric vehicles and charging stations and to strengthen measures blocking cars, components and battery materials from China, according to a document seen by Reuters.
