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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigestonline.com).
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 71°Today’s Paper
Breaking News
Get the latest top stories and breaking news today from Hawaii, across the nation and around the world.
FDA staff reviewing Neuralink among those fired, sources say
The loss of roughly 20 employees will hamper the agency’s ability to quickly and safely process medical device applications of all sorts, including Neuralink’s, according to the sources and outside experts. Read more
Leonard Peltier, convicted in FBI agents’ killing, released from prison
The 80-year-old will be allowed to live under house arrest. Read more
Judge will not block Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan denied a request by more than a dozen states, including Hawaii, to bar DOGE from accessing computer systems at seven federal agencies or purging government workers Read more
Waimea couple killed in North Kona traffic crash
Today’s deaths were the sixth and seventh traffic fatalities on Hawaii island this year, compared with four at the same time last year. Read more
U.S. Marines start to leave Okinawa, decades behind schedule
Under the agreement, 9,000 Marines — just under half the force currently on the island — are eventually supposed to leave. Read more
Report: Consumers rush to buy as Trump tariffs fuel stockpiling
Tariffs tend to be inflationary because they raise the cost of imported goods, prompting businesses to either absorb the higher expenses or pass them on to consumers through price increases. Read more
No murder charge in Kalihi fatal shooting; suspect claims self-defense
Prosecutors and police did not detail what led them to determine that Fiso shot and killed Downer in self-defense. Read more
Sewage discharged into Ala Wai canal near Kapahulu
The spill has been ongoing and intermittent as of Sunday, according to the department, which said the estimated volume of discharge remains unknown. Read more
Bannon calls Musk a ‘parasitic illegal immigrant’
Bannon made the comments in an interview with UnHerd, a British news site, that took place last week. Read more
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Man, 80s, critically hurt after he is struck by car in Aiea crosswalk
The Honolulu Police Department said at about 5:50 a.m. today, an 18-year-old driving a vehicle westbound on Moanalua Road hit the pedestrian in a marked crosswalk at Ualo Street, which is near a bus stop and across from an entrance to Pearlridge Center. Read more
High surf advisory for north, west shores due to series of swells
The National Weather Service expects surf of 10 to 18 feet along the north-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui, and surf of 8 to 14 feet along west-facing shores. Read more
Tax, bank, space officials fired as Trump cuts federal jobs
The White House has not said how many people it plans to fire and has given no numbers on the mass layoffs so far. The information to date has come from employees of federal agencies. Read more
Delta: 19 of 21 passengers released after Toronto crash
Greater Toronto Airports CEO Deborah Flint said at a press conference that the two remaining hospitalized passengers did not face life-threatening injuries. Read more
Motorcyclist dies after H-2 freeway crash in Mililani
His death marks Oahu’s eighth traffic fatality of the year, compared with five at the same time in 2024. Read more
White House: Musk not DOGE employee, lacks decision power
According to a filing signed by Joshua Fisher, director of the Office of Administration at the White House, Musk can only advise the president and communicate the president’s directives. Read more
Judge: Musk’s team may access Education Department systems
Washington-based U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss declined to issue a temporary restraining order sought by the University of California Student Association to prevent the department from disclosing information to people affiliated with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Read more
Top Social Security official exits after Musk team seeks data
The resignation of Michelle King, the acting commissioner, is the latest abrupt departure of a senior federal official who refused to provide Musk’s lieutenants with access to closely held data. Read more
U.S., Russia meet without Ukraine; Moscow makes new demand
The talks in the Saudi capital underscored the rapid pace of U.S. efforts to halt the conflict, less than a month after President Donald Trump took office and six days after he spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read more
Homebuilders: Trump tariffs are raising construction costs
Builders describe an unpredictable atmosphere where they are passing the burden of tariffs placed on them by vendors onto consumers. Read more
Southwest Airlines to cut 15% of corporate jobs
“This decision is unprecedented in our 53-year history … We are at a pivotal moment as we transform Southwest Airlines into a leaner, faster, and more agile organization,” said CEO Bob Jordan. Read more
Hawaii’s Shunsuke Sakaino wins Big West award
“I’m just really surprised right now,” Sakaino said of the honor. “Just to get into the box, because of my teammates putting me up there, I love to give them credit.” Read more
Subscriber Favorites
Tax, bank, space officials fired as Trump cuts federal jobs
Top Social Security official exits after Musk team seeks data
Motorcyclist dies after H-2 freeway crash in Mililani
Waimea couple killed in North Kona traffic crash
U.S., Russia meet without Ukraine; Moscow makes new demand
More Breaking News
Waimea couple killed in North Kona traffic crash
Judge will not block Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data
Motorcyclist dies after H-2 freeway crash in Mililani
No murder charge in Kalihi fatal shooting; suspect claims self-defense
Leonard Peltier, convicted in FBI agents’ killing, released from prison
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