Trump impeached after Capitol riot in historic second charge
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House for a historic second time Wednesday, charged with “incitement of insurrection” over the deadly mob siege of the Capitol in a swift and stunning collapse of his final days in office.
McConnell blocks quick Trump trial, unsure how he’ll vote
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday blocked a quick Senate impeachment trial for President Donald Trump but did not rule out that he might eventually vote to convict the now twice-impeached president .
Mix of extremists who stormed Capitol isn’t retreating
BOISE, Idaho — As rioters laid siege to the U.S. Capitol, the seat of American democracy became a melting pot of extremist groups: militia members, white supremacists, paramilitary organizations, anti-maskers and fanatical supporters of President Donald Trump, standing shoulder to shoulder in rage.
Impeachment could become defining moment for Liz Cheney
WASHINGTON — Just before a mob unleashed a deadly rampage on the U.S. Capitol last week, President Donald Trump told tens of thousands of supporters that “we got to get rid” of Rep. Liz Cheney.
Ocasio-Cortez says she feared for her life in Capitol siege
NEW YORK — New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said she and other elected officials “narrowly escaped death” last week when a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed into the U.S. Capitol, noting that she had additional concerns her own colleagues would put her at risk.
Housing advocates call on Biden to extend eviction ban
BOSTON — Housing advocates around the country staked out courthouses and held rallies Wednesday, calling on the incoming Biden administration to extend and strengthen the current federal ban on evictions.
Calls to reopen classrooms grow as teachers get vaccinated
State leaders around the U.S. are increasingly pushing for schools to reopen this winter — pressuring them, even — as teachers begin to gain access to the vaccine against the raging pandemic.
Defiance of virus dining bans grows as restaurants flounder
BORING, Ore. — A line formed out the door during the lunch rush at the Carver Hangar, a family-owned restaurant and sports bar, and waitresses zipped in and out of the kitchen trying to keep up with orders as customers backed up in the lobby.
US budget deficit up 60.7% in first 3 months of budget year
WASHINGTON — The U.S. government’s deficit in the first three months of the budget year was a record-breaking $572.9 billion, 60.7% higher than the same period a year ago, as spending to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic surged while revenue declined.
Britain’s Johnson pledges UK vaccine program will run 24-7
LONDON — Britain’s coronavirus vaccine program will operate around the clock seven days a week “as soon as we can,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged Wednesday as the U.K. accelerates efforts to inoculate millions of its most vulnerable people against coronavirus.
Hawaii island mayor remains in hospital after heart attack
KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii island’s mayor is still hospitalized after suffering a heart attack and undergoing a procedure to implant a stent.
Hawaii plans to operate mass vaccination centers on Oahu
HONOLULU — Thousands of Hawaii residents are expected to have access to COVID-19 vaccines when the state opens mass vaccination centers on Oahu, officials said.
Less than 4% of CARES funds remaining
LIHU‘E — The County of Kaua‘i has expended 96.1% of its COVID-19-relief funds, and still has some more time to exhaust the more than $28 million allotted by the state.
COVID-19 vaccines for kupuna start Friday
LIHU‘E — Kupuna, or the elderly ages 75 years and older, need an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccinations that start Friday at Wilcox Medical Center, states an announcement from Hawai‘i Pacific Health.
Court denies request to increase Utah man’s bail
LIHU’E — The state of Hawai‘i’s oral motion to increase bail was denied Tuesday afternoon in Fifth Circuit Court for a Utah man accused of violating county government quarantine orders three times in a week.
Planning Commission moves forward on Ag land use bill
LIHU‘E — A bill to amend the county’s zoning ordinances related to commercial uses on agriculturally-zoned land has moved through the Planning Commission and is headed back to the County Council.
St. Theresa School keeps students on campus
KEKAHA — St. Theresa School, one of two Catholic schools on the island, is in its second week of the home half of being a St. Theresa Safe Campus Program for the school year that started in August.
Court: Illegal aquarium-fish collection must stop now
HONOLULU — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources improperly sidestepped a court order invalidating commercial marine licenses used for aquarium-fish collection, the state’s environmental court ruled Tuesday.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday closures announced
LIHU‘E — In observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday Monday, Jan. 18, County of Kaua‘i offices will be closed, along with the Kekaha Landfill, all refuse transfer stations, Puhi Metals Recycling Center and all the neighborhood centers.
Committee confirms KIUC board candidates
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s Nominating Committee has confirmed three candidates for its 2021 Board of Directors election on March 13.