Nicholas lingers in Louisiana, dumps rain as far as Florida
NEW ORLEANS — Tropical Depression Nicholas hovered over Louisiana on Wednesday, raining on a region struggling to recover from Hurricane Ida and deluging coastal Mississippi, Alabama and northwest Florida.
House panel rejects drug pricing plan in setback to Biden
WASHINGTON — A House committee dealt an ominous if symbolic blow Wednesday to President Joe Biden’s huge social and environment package, derailing a money-saving plan to let Medicare negotiate the price it pays for prescription drugs.
Democrats see a midterm map in California recall success
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Few Democrats were surprised to see Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom swat down a Republican-driven recall campaign in bright-blue California. But they were pleased with how he did it.
Biden $3.5T plan tests voter appeal of expansive gov’t role
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s “build back better” agenda is poised to be the most far-reaching federal investment since FDR’s New Deal or LBJ’s Great Society — a prodigious effort to tax the rich and shift money into projects and programs touching the lives of nearly every American.
Texas abortion law strains clinics: ‘Exactly what we feared’
AUSTIN, Texas — One Texas woman traveled nearly 1,000 miles to Colorado for an abortion. Others are driving four hours to New Mexico. And in Houston, clinics that typically perform more than 100 abortions in a week are down to a few a day.
Biden announces Indo-Pacific alliance with UK, Australia
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that the United States is forming a new Indo-Pacific security alliance with Britain and Australia that will allow for greater sharing of defense capabilities — including helping equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. It’s a move that could deepen a growing chasm in U.S.-China relations.
US working on new COVID-19 rules for international visitors
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is considering requiring vaccinations against COVID-19 and contact tracing of international visitors after the U.S. revamps current broad restrictions that bar many foreigners from traveling to the U.S., a top White House adviser said Wednesday.
Friction among Taliban pragmatists, hard-liners intensifies
KABUL, Afghanistan — Friction between pragmatists and ideologues in the Taliban leadership has intensified since the group formed a hard-line Cabinet last week that is more in line with their harsh rule in the 1990s than their recent promises of inclusiveness, said two Afghans familiar with the power struggle.
Kim Jong Un’s sister warns of ‘destruction’ of S.Korean ties
SEOUL, South Korea — The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday criticized South Korea’s president and threatened a “complete destruction” of bilateral relations after both countries tested ballistic missiles hours apart.
World leaders face new rule at UN meeting: vaccination
UNITED NATIONS — World leaders will have to be vaccinated against the coronavirus to speak at the U.N. General Assembly’s big meeting next week, the assembly leader and New York City officials have said, prompting swift objections from at least one nation.
Hawaii-based soldier sentenced to 62 years for killing wife
HONOLULU — A military judge sentenced a Hawaii-based soldier to 62 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to premediated murder for brutally beating and stabbing his wife.
Kaua‘i Society of Artists big show opens Saturday
The ART Kaua‘i 2021 exhibit presented by the Kaua‘i Society of Artists will open on Saturday from noon until 6 p.m. at the KSA gallery at Kukui Grove Center. But that was almost not to be, as KSA and KGC struggled with the COVID-19 uptick in new cases.
Kapa‘a school bus routes affected by driver shortage
KAPA‘A — On Monday, Kapa‘a Middle and Kapa‘a High School parents were notified that beginning on Tuesday, three bus routes would be suspended, affecting 155 students.
23 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday
LIHU‘E — Tuesday, the state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office announced 23 new cases of COVID-19.
Waimea High School JROTC spends Labor Day volunteering, connecting
WAIMEA — The Waimea High School Army JROTC battalion, the Menehune Battalion, devoted Labor Day to connecting and giving back to the community, said Kahealani Numazawa-Pacanas, the battalion’s public-affairs officer.
Planning Commission sends glamping bill forward
LIHU‘E — Deferred at its last meeting, the Planning Commission has given approval to a new version of a bill that would curb most commercial camping experiences in non-resort-zoned districts.
DOW: Emergency water shutdowns in Kapa‘a today
KAPA‘A — The county Department of Water will have an emergency water shutdown on a portion of Haua‘ala Road today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.
Papa A‘u takes Gene Wells second race
NAWILIWILI — Where did Papa A‘u come from? Last Thursday, Fast Company and OZone were busy battling for control of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Gene Wells Memorial Series Race No. 2, the handicap for the Express 27 pushed the little boat to the top of the race that unfolded in 8-to-10-knot winds out of the east-northeast.
Koetje, Kaya, Silva sweep Labor Day drags
MANA — Alma Koetje and Kalen Kaya topped the Garden Island Racing Association two-day Labor Day Drag Races that were held at Kaua‘i Raceway Park in Mana over the holiday weekend.
DLNR: Hawai‘i Island Mana Road fire community effort
HILO, Hawai‘i — The Mana Road fire that burned along Old Saddle Road on the slopes of Mauna Kea on Hawai‘i Island was one of the largest wildland fires in recorded Hawai‘i history. In late July and early August, it scorched more than 42,000 acres of mostly grassland above Waimea and largely on the Parker Ranch.