In debate countdown, Trump holds rally, Biden does prep

ERIE, Pa. — President Donald Trump pushed into arguably the most important state on the electoral map on Tuesday, opting for a rally in Pennsylvania instead of formal debate practice two days ahead of the final presidential debate that may be his last, best chance to alter the trajectory of the 2020 campaign.

California boat owners faulted for fire that killed 34

LOS ANGELES — One of the deadliest accidents in recent U.S. maritime history was the fault of owners of a Southern California dive boat whose lack of oversight resulted in a fire that swept through the vessel and killed 34 people in their bunks below deck, federal safety officials ruled Tuesday.

Leaders in US, Europe divided on response to surging virus

SALT LAKE CITY — Virus cases are surging across Europe and many U.S. states, but responses by leaders are miles apart, with officials in Ireland, France and elsewhere imposing curfews and restricting gatherings even as some U.S. governors resist mask mandates or more aggressive measures.

McConnell warns White House against COVID relief deal

WASHINGTON — Washington negotiations on a huge COVID-19 relief bill took a modest step forward on Tuesday, though time is running out and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, President Donald Trump’s most powerful Senate ally, is pressing the White House against going forward.

California will allow fans at pro sports but not Disneyland

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California will let fans back in outdoor stadiums for pro sporting events in counties with low coronavirus infection rates but isn’t ready to allow Disneyland and other major theme parks to reopen, the state’s top health official said Tuesday.

Judge rejects plea in ex-officer’s sex solicitation case

HONOLULU — A U.S. judge on Monday rejected a former Maui police officer’s guilty plea in a case accusing him of soliciting sex from a woman he pulled over for operating a vehicle while intoxicated in exchange for giving false testimony at her trial.

Meet the candidates: Luke Evslin

NIUMALU — Twice a week, incumbent Kauai County Council member Luke Evslin, 35, hoists a canoe into Hule‘ia Stream after dropping his two kids, Finely and Levi, at daycare.

‘New life and purpose’

LIHU‘E — The whir of wheels on concrete interrupted by the rumble of the wooden pipes announced the opening of a new skatepark situated in the back of the Pi‘ikoi Building, Lihu‘e Civic Center.

Post-travel test sites go live

LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i District Health Office opened the free post-travel test site for residents returning from the Mainland yesterday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall where quick results could be obtained within 20 minutes from its on-site laboratory.

Airline executives discuss trans-Pacific travel

HONOLULU — Five leaders of competing airlines participated last week in a Zoom webinar, “Impacts and Forecasts of the Airline Industry,” to discuss various logistics when Hawai‘i before the planned reopening of trans-Pacific travel Thursday.

Saenz Ohana Breakfast draws ire trying to be safe

PRINCEVILLE — The decision to allow visitors to only order online and pick up while serving residents with a Hawai’i identification in person has created a lightning rod of controversy on social media for one Kaua’i food truck.

Storybook Theatre hosts evening of ghost stories

HANAPEPE — Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre will be hosting an evening of ghost stories, and stories based on events that really happened on Friday, Oct. 30 starting at 6 p.m., in Sparky’s Garden located in back of the Storybook Theatre.