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"EPA to eliminate science office after months of denial" and tsunami watch canceled.

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.blogspot.com).

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EPA to eliminate science office after months of denial

by New York Times / 1d

The Environmental Protection Agency said today that it would eliminate its scientific research arm and begin firing hundreds of chemists, biologists, toxicologists and other scientists, after denying for months that it intended to do so.

L.A. sues Airbnb for alleged price gouging following wildfires

LA sues Airbnb over price gouging

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by Reuters / 1d

Los Angeles sued Airbnb, accusing the home rental company of allowing price gouging affecting at least 2,000 properties during January’s wildfires in Southern California, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto said today.

Gabbard alleges Democratic conspiracy in 2016 election

Gabbard accuses Obama of coup

•

by None / 1d

WASHINGTON >> The top U.S. intelligence official declassified an email trove purporting to expose a Democratic conspiracy to cast doubt on Donald Trump’s 2016 election win, just as his team seeks to defuse criticism over its handling of files linked to financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Yesterday

Tsunami watch for Hawaii canceled after 7.4 magnitude quake off Russia

Tsunami threat from Russian quakes

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by Star-Advertiser Staff / 6h

UPDATE: 9:55 p.m

Max Holloway wins unanimous decision in UFC 318 main event

Holloway Poirier UFC lightweight showdown

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by Billy Hull / 8h

Max Holloway successfully defended his “BMF” title and avenged two loses to Dustin Poirier earlier in his career with a unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 318 tonight at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans.

U.S. threatens Mexican flights over cargo, competition issues

US Mexico aviation dispute escalates

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by Reuters / 12h

WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY >> The Trump administration said today it will take action against Mexico after the Mexican government cut flight slots and forced cargo carriers to relocate operations in Mexico City, affecting U.S. airlines.

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy offers Russia more talks next week

Ukraine proposes renewed ceasefire talks

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by Reuters / 13h

KYIV, Ukraine >> Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said today that Kyiv has sent Moscow an offer to hold another round of peace talks next week, and that he wanted to speed up negotiations for a ceasefire.

Firefighters douse blaze at Wahiawa apartment building

by Star-Advertiser Staff / 14h

Firefighters extinguished a blaze at a Wahiawa apartment building this morning. Three people suffered mild smoke inhalation but declined to be taken to a hospital.

Oregon’s Cram fire grows to largest wildfire in U.S. this year

by New York Times / 17h

The Cram fire in central Oregon, which is threatening 653 structures, most of them homes, has grown to 95,631 acres, making it the largest wildfire of the year so far in the United States.

Health insurers are denying more drug claims, data shows

Private insurer drug denials increase

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by New York Times / 19h

Prescription drug denials by private insurers in the United States jumped 25% from 2016 to 2023, according to a new analysis of more than 4 billion claims, a practice that has contributed to rising public outrage about the nation’s private health insurance system.

Number of missing in Kerr County, Texas, after floods drops to 3

by New York Times / 19h

The number of missing people in the Texas county hardest hit by the devastating July 4 floods is now just three, a dramatic drop from the nearly 100 officials had reported just days ago. Many were confirmed to be safe, local officials said today.

Driver plows car into Los Angeles crowd, injuring at least 30

by New York Times / 20h

LOS ANGELES >> A man who had been thrown out of a Los Angeles nightclub and music venue intentionally plowed his car into a crowd outside today, injuring at least 30 people, including seven critically, authorities said.

Jul 18, 2025

Federal judge blocks enforcement of Trump’s order on ICC

by Reuters / 1d

WASHINGTON >> A federal judge today blocked the enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting those who work with the International Criminal Court.

HPD: Rifle threat over food order leads to arrest in Ewa Beach

by Star-Advertiser Staff / 1d

Police arrested an 18-year-old man today after he allegedly brandished what appeared to be a rifle and threatened a restaurant employee at Ewa Town Center in Ewa Beach.

Trump says he doesn’t draw — but his sketches sold for thousands

by New York Times / 1d

President Donald Trump mounted a vigorous rebuttal Thursday night to a report in The Wall Street Journal that he sent a birthday greeting with a sexually suggestive drawing to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.

Tesla IT exec with no sales experience is running sales, sources say

Tesla North American sales executive departure

•

by Reuters / 1d

A relatively little-known information technology executive is running Tesla’s sales team as the electric carmaker grapples with a drop in sales, according to people familiar with the matter.

Trump sues Murdoch, News Corp and WSJ over Epstein report

by Reuters / 1d

WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump has sued the Wall Street Journal and its owners, including Rupert Murdoch, making good on a promise he made Thursday after the newspaper reported that Trump in 2003 sent Jeffrey Epstein a birthday greeting that included a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to secrets they shared.

Americans freed from Venezuela in prisoner exchange

Venezuelans exchanged US detainees

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by Reuters / 1d

WASHINGTON/CARACAS >> El Salvador is sending home Venezuelans detained in the country in a prison exchange for Americans held in Venezuela, President Nayib Bukele said today.

Cardinal brings aid to Gaza after Israeli strike on church

Gaza church hit casualties increase

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by Reuters / 1d

ROME/JERUSALEM >> Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa entered Gaza today to bring aid to victims of Israel’s strike on the sole Catholic church in the Palestinian enclave, while he and a Vatican official questioned Israeli explanations for the incident.

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake strikes off Alaska, no Hawaii tsunami threat

by Star-Advertiser Staff / 1d

A preliminary magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska this morning but does not pose a tsunami threat to Hawaii.

Health insurers seek biggest Obamacare hike since 2018

Obamacare premiums and subsidies decline

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by Reuters / 1d

U.S. insurers are requesting the biggest premium increases for Obamacare plans since 2018, according to an analysis by health-research firm KFF, prompted by the looming expiration of premium tax credits and potential tariffs on medical goods.

Pahoa man gets 15-year sentence for stabbing ex-girlfriend

Pahoa man sentenced for stabbing

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by None / 1d

A Pahoa man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for burglary and assault.

House passes Trump plan to cut foreign aid, public media

by Reuters / 1d

WASHINGTON >> The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives early today passed President Donald Trump’s $9 billion funding cut to public media and foreign aid, sending it to the White House to be signed into law.

Report: Trump’s name on 2003 birthday letter to Epstein

by Reuters / 1d

Donald Trump’s name appeared on a risque 2003 personal note to Jeffrey Epstein, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The president responded that the letter was fake.

Blast at Los Angeles sheriff’s facility leaves 3 dead

by Reuters / 1d

An explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department training facility has killed three deputies, Fox News and local media reported today, though officials have not yet confirmed any deaths.

Jul 17, 2025

State jobless rate in June remained steady at 2.8%

by Dave Segal / 2d

Hawaii’s unemployment rate held at 2.8% in June for the second month in a row as the low level continued to rank among the best in the country.

Trump budget would shut Mauna Loa climate observatory

by New York Times / 2d

More than 11,100 feet above sea level, surrounded by nothing but black rocks, white clouds and blue sky, the Mauna Loa Observatory is in a Goldilocks spot for studying the atmosphere.

Trump cheers cancellation of Colbert’s top-rated late-night show

Late Show with Colbert ending

•

by Reuters / 2d

LOS ANGELES >> “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” the most-watched late-night program on U.S. broadcast television and a frequent platform of satire aimed at President Donald Trump, will end its 10-year run on CBS in May 2026, the network said on Thursday.

Bondi visits Alcatraz after Trump call to reopen prison

by Reuters / 2d

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi visited the infamous Alcatraz prison in the San Francisco Bay today, weeks after President Donald Trump said he would order the long-shuttered facility, now operated as a historical site, to once again house violent criminals.

U.S. health department hands over Medicaid personal data to ICE

by Reuters / 2d

WASHINGTON >> The U.S. health department is giving Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials access to the personal data of 79 million Medicaid enrollees to help them track down immigrants who may not be living legally in the country, it said today.

Trump will not recommend special prosecutor in Epstein case

by Reuters / 2d

WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump will not recommend appointing a special prosecutor in the Jeffrey Epstein case, his press secretary said today, amid pressure from some of his supporters and renewed public scrutiny on the convicted sex offender’s connections to powerful figures.

Trump diagnosed with chronic vein condition, White House says

by Reuters / 2d

WASHINGTON >> The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump is experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand, after photographs emerged of Trump with swollen ankles and makeup covering the afflicted part of his hand.

Feds ask for 1-day sentence in Breonna Taylor raid conviction

by Reuters / 2d

WASHINGTON >> The U.S. Justice Department has asked a federal judge to sentence a former Louisville police officer who was convicted last year of violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights to serve just one day in prison, despite the fact that the conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Prosecutor fired by Trump calls fear the ‘tool of the tyrant’

by New York Times / 2d

Maurene Comey, a career federal prosecutor who worked on the Jeffrey Epstein case and was abruptly fired by the Trump administration this week, warned her colleagues today about the chilling effect such firings could have on their work.

U.S. retail sales beat expectations; labor market stable

US retail sales rebound June

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by Reuters / 2d

WASHINGTON >> U.S. retail sales rebounded more than expected in June, suggesting the economy was regaining momentum and giving the Federal Reserve cover to delay cutting interest rates while it gauges the inflation fallout from import tariffs.

Trump: Coca-Cola agreed to use cane sugar in Coke made in U.S.

37by New York Times / 2d

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he had spoken to the Coca-Cola Co. about using “REAL cane sugar in Coke” in the United States and that the company had agreed to begin adding it. A spokesperson for Coca-Cola would not comment on whether it had agreed to do so.

Wells Fargo suspends China travel after employee exit ban

by Reuters / 2d

Wells Fargo has suspended all travel to China after a banker was blocked from leaving the country, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters today.

FDA approves Juul’s tobacco and menthol e-cigarettes

FDA approves Juul e-cigarettes

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by Reuters / 2d

Juul Labs said today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the sale of its e-cigarette device and refill cartridges in tobacco and menthol flavors, after years of struggle with heightened regulatory scrutiny.

Senate passes aid, public broadcasting cuts in victory for Trump

by Reuters / 3d

WASHINGTON >> The U.S. Senate early on Thursday approved President Donald Trump’s plan for billions of dollars in cuts to funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting, handing the Republican