Video
Trial opens with two visions of Trump
NEW YORK — Manhattan prosecutors delivered a raw recounting of Donald Trump’s seamy past Monday as they debuted their case against him to jurors, the nation and the world, reducing the former president to a co-conspirator in a plot to cover up three sex scandals that threatened his 2016 election win.
Video
Biden marks Earth Day by going after GOP
TRIANGLE, Virginia — President Joe Biden marked Earth Day by announcing $7 billion in federal grants for residential solar projects serving 900,000-plus households in low- and middle-income communities — while criticizing Republicans who want to gut his policies to address climate change.
Aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan heads to Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate is returning to Washington on Tuesday to vote on $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, taking the final steps in Congress to send the legislation to President Joe Biden’s desk after months of delays and contentious internal debate over how involved the United States should be abroad.
Video
Supreme Court to hear Trump immunity case
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court has scheduled a special session to hear arguments over whether former President Donald Trump can be prosecuted over his efforts to undo his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.
Video
Supreme Court weighs bans on homeless sleeping outdoors
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court wrestled with major questions about the growing issue of homelessness on Monday as it considered whether cities can punish people for sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking.
Proposed tourism impact fee dies for now
HONOLULU — An effort to increase the state hotel tax by $25 to offset the impact of visitors on the environment and climate change has stalled this legislative session but the concept of a “green fee” remains alive and will likely return with a new funding plan next session.
Hawai‘i lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals
HONOLULU — Amy Chadwick spent years scrimping and saving as a single mother of two to buy a house in the town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
Cockfighting bill dies in Senate
HILO, Hawai‘i — A controversial state measure that would crack down on people raising chickens for cockfighting is dead.
La‘akea Chun nominated to Charter Commission
LIHU‘E — Local resident Alice Parker was so overwhelmed by the nomination of La‘akea Chun to a seat on the Charter Commission on Wednesday, she forgot the protocol of testifying before the Kaua‘i County Council.
Video
Trump declines to endorse a national abortion ban
NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump said Monday he believes abortion limits should be left to the states, outlining his position in a video in which he declined to endorse a national ban after months of mixed messages and speculation.
Judge rejects Trump’s hush money trial delay request
NEW YORK — A New York appeals court judge on Monday rejected Donald Trump’s bid to delay his April 15 hush money criminal trial while he mounts a last-minute fight to move the case out of Manhattan, foiling the former president’s latest attempt to put off the historic trial.
Prosecutors urge Supreme Court to reject Trump’s immunity claims
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Special counsel Jack Smith’s team urged the Supreme Court on Monday night to reject former President Donald Trump’s claim that he is immune from prosecution in a case charging him with scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Trump to announce his position on abortion Monday
NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump says he will finally announce Monday when he believes abortions should be banned, after months of refusing to stake a position on an issue that could decide the outcome of November’s presidential election.
Biden will talk about student debt relief in Wisconsin
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden is traveling to Wisconsin to announce details of a new plan to ease student loan debt for millions, a trip that comes a week after primary voting in the Midwest battleground highlighted weaknesses for the Democratic president and Donald Trump, his Republican challenger.
Video
Latino voters targeted for election misinformation
PHOENIX — As ranchera music filled the Phoenix recording studio at Radio Campesina, a station personality spoke in Spanish into the microphone.
Marijuana bill flames out in House
LIHU‘E — Legalization of the recreational use of marijuana for adults in Hawai‘i is nothing more than a pipe dream after a bill that would have made it possible failed to advance in the state Legislature.
Bill moving through Legislature aims to increase densities in urban areas
HILO, Hawai‘i — The state of Hawai‘i’s urban housing density could more than triple under a new zoning proposal sailing through the state Legislature.
Shaka inches closer to becoming official state gesture
HILO, Hawai‘i — Lawmakers and Hawai‘i residents alike appear to be vibing with a proposal to make the shaka the official state gesture of Hawai‘i.
Blood alcohol content legislation dies again
HILO, Hawai‘i — Legislation that would reduce the threshold for drunken driving from 0.08 percent blood alcohol content to 0.05 percent is dead for this year.
Hawaiian Electric warns of energy deficit
HILO, Hawai‘i — Hawaiian Electric is asking all Hawai‘i Island customers to reduce or shift their electricity use over the next month.