US virus cases nearly triple in 2 weeks amid misinformation
MISSION, Kan. — COVID-19 cases nearly tripled in the U.S. over two weeks amid an onslaught of vaccine misinformation that is straining hospitals, exhausting doctors and pushing clergy into the fray.
Wildfire smoke clouds sky, hurts air quality on East Coast
PORTLAND, Ore. — Smoke and ash from massive wildfires in the American West clouded the sky and led to air quality alerts Wednesday on parts of the East Coast as the effects of the blazes were felt 2,500 miles (4,023 kilometers) away.
Infrastructure bill fails first vote; Senate to try again
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans rejected an effort Wednesday to begin debate on the big infrastructure deal that a bipartisan group of senators brokered with President Joe Biden, but pressure was mounting as supporters insisted they just needed more time before another vote possibly next week.
Pelosi bars Trump allies from Jan. 6 probe; GOP vows boycott
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday rejected two Republicans tapped by House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy to sit on a committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, a decision the Republican denounced as “an egregious abuse of power.”
Rare ‘breakthrough’ COVID cases are causing alarm, confusion
Reports of athletes, lawmakers and others getting the coronavirus despite vaccination may sound alarming but top health experts point to overwhelming evidence that the shots are doing exactly what they are supposed to: dramatically reducing severe illness and death.
Giannis’ biggest fans watch, celebrate title a world away
SEPOLIA, Greece — With less than a minute remaining in the game, Yiannis Tzikas was already setting out plastic cups to fill with champagne.
Russia launches lab module to International Space Station
MOSCOW — Russia on Wednesday successfully launched a long-delayed lab module for the International Space Station that is intended to provide more room for scientific experiments and space for the crew.
US, Germany seal deal on contentious Russian gas pipeline
WASHINGTON — The United States and Germany on Wednesday announced a deal to allow the completion of a controversial Russian gas pipeline to Europe without the imposition of further U.S. sanctions. The agreement aims to stanch fears about European dependence on Russian energy, but it was immediately assailed by critics who said it doesn’t go far enough.
China blasts dam to divert floods that killed at least 25
BEIJING — China’s military has blasted a dam to release floodwaters threatening one of its most heavily populated provinces, as the death toll in widespread flooding rose to at least 25.
Despite Canadian easing, US extends land border restrictions
The U.S. government on Wednesday extended the closure of the land borders with Canada and Mexico to non-essential travelers until at least Aug. 21.
Mask rule delays trial for ex-Hawaii prosecutor’s brother
HONOLULU — A former high-ranking city prosecutor once took a photo with a line of cocaine on the desk of her husband, then-Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, according to court documents filed in preparation of a drug-dealing trial against her pain physician brother.
Maui mayor vetoes hotel construction moratorium bill
WAILUKU — Maui’s mayor has vetoed a bill that would have imposed a moratorium on hotel construction in parts of the Valley Isle, saying the measure wouldn’t be effective and was legally flawed.
Kawakami talks tourism, tax, traffic at Chamber luncheon
LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek Kawakami tackled the island’s ongoing tourism boom and a slew of other topics Tuesday during the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce’s Seventh annual Mayor’s Luncheon.
Virtual Hanalei base yard meeting set for July 29
HANALEI — The County of Kaua‘i invites the public to participate in the second public virtual meeting regarding the Hanalei Base Yard Office and Garage project.
Ha‘ena State Park parking management signed to nonprofit
HA‘ENA — One morning in late June, a Kaua‘i Police Department officer wrote 25 parking tickets before grabbing another ticket book to write another 25. He was one of two officers ticketing car after car on this day.
COVID cases still elevated, Kaua‘i sees 8 new cases
LIHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported eight new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, July 20.
Amidst car shortage, county launches transportation resource website
LIHU‘E — The county Office of Economic Development announced the launch of a new website aimed at informing both visitors and residents of various transportation options available on Kaua‘i.
Four businesses named Ocean Friendly Restaurants
LIHU‘E — Some restaurants are taking a stand against plastic ocean pollution head-on by eliminating use.
Company donates over $10K, food to Kaua‘i food banks
LIHU‘E — Corteva Agriscience delivered more than $10,000 to both the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i Branch and Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank last week.
Papa A‘u takes second race of NYC Wahine Series
NAWILIWILI — Papa A‘u, the smallest boat of the nine-boat fleet, sounded the finish horn third, but capitalizing on its handicap finished first in the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Wahine Series, Race No. 2 in Nawiliwili Harbor last week.