Will virus keep Florida spectators from astronaut launch?
ORLANDO, Fla.— In ordinary times, the beaches and roads along Florida’s Space Coast would be packed with hundreds of thousands of spectators, eager to witness the first astronaut launch from Florida in nine years.
New infections show virus accelerating across Latin America
RIO DE JANEIRO — The coronavirus pandemic accelerated across Latin America on Friday, bringing a surge of new infections and deaths, even as curves flattened and reopening was underway in much of Europe, Asia and the United States.
Pandemic job losses hit tourism-dependent states hardest
HONOLULU — The coronavirus pandemic has been particularly brutal to the tourism-dependent economies of Nevada and Hawaii, lifting the unemployment rate in both states to about one-quarter of the workforce.
Trump declares churches ‘essential,’ calls on them to reopen
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday labeled churches and other houses of worship as “essential” and called on governors nationwide to let them reopen this weekend even though some areas remain under coronavirus lockdown.
Federal prison system to begin moving nearly 7K inmates
WASHINGTON — The federal Bureau of Prisons will begin moving about 6,800 inmates who have been waiting in local detention centers across the U.S. to federal prisons to avoid jail overcrowding in the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Friday.
Pakistan jet with 98 aboard crashes in crowded neighborhood
KARACHI, Pakistan — A jetliner carrying 98 people crashed Friday in a crowded neighborhood near the airport in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi after an apparent engine failure during landing. Officials said there were two survivors from the plane but they also found at least 57 bodies in the wreckage.
Loughlin, Giannulli plead in college scam, but fate is hazy
“Full House” star Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded guilty Friday to paying half a million dollars to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California as part of a college admissions bribery scheme, but a judge has not decided whether he’ll accept the deals they made with prosecutors.
Biden says he was too ‘cavalier’ about black Trump backers
ATLANTA — Joe Biden declared he “should not have been so cavalier” on Friday when he told a prominent black radio host that African Americans who back President Donald Trump “ain’t black.”
FBI director orders internal review of Flynn investigation
WASHINGTON — FBI Director Christopher Wray has ordered an internal review into possible misconduct in the investigation of former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn, the bureau said Friday.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park begins phased trail reopening
HILO — Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has opened for limited use as the attraction begins a phased reopening plan following its closure because of the coronavirus.
Hawaii struggles to enforce vacation rental quarantines
HONOLULU — Honolulu is not capable of effectively enforcing a mandatory, 14-day quarantine on visitors staying in Oahu vacation rentals during the coronavirus pandemic, an official said.
Group pushes Native Hawaiian values for economic revival
HONOLULU — A newly formed policy group has announced an effort to reboot Hawaii’s tourist-based economy following the coronavirus outbreak using Native Hawaiian cultural values.
Hawaii’s unemployment rate jumps to 22.3% amid pandemic
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 22.3% in April, up from just 2.4% the previous month, as hotels, restaurants and retailers closed amid efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Hawaii lawmakers recess after addressing budget shortfall
HONOLULU — Hawaii lawmakers on Thursday recessed after passing multiple funding bills designed to cope with the shock of the coronavirus pandemic that has hammered the state’s tourism-dependent economy.
Naval Academy holds its first-ever virtual graduation event
WASHINGTON — In its first-ever virtual graduation and commissioning ceremony, the U.S. Naval Academy on Friday welcomed a new class of officers into the Navy and Marine Corps as the sea services steer through the coronavirus crisis.
Praying for mayor, a ‘more intelligent focus’ on infirm, elderly
Dear mayor. I voted for you. I attended your campaign fundraisers, and I am part of a community of people who have been rooting for you all along.
Letter for Friday, May 22, 2020
• Reopen churches this weekend
Green light to reopen
Churches, salons, barber shops and outdoor-based tour companies on Kaua‘i can reopen today.
Menehune get prime rib for graduation
Keiko Napier of Japanese Grandma’s Cafe in Hanapepe estimates it’ll take about 15 pounds of greens to enhance the prime-rib meal with a small salad.
Humane society welcomes 2 to board
The Kaua‘i Humane Society has added two new members to its board of directors, making 11 members now serving on the board.