“Top stories and breaking news from Hawaii, across the nation, and around the world.”
Views expressed in this Hawaii and U.S. news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Accessed on 01 January 2026, 1525 UTC.
Content and Source: “Honolulu Star-Advertiser.”
URL–https://www.staradvertiser.com/category/breaking-news/
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).
Thursday, January 1, 2026 72°Today’s Paper
Breaking News
Get the latest top stories and breaking news today from Hawaii, across the nation and around the world.
DOCARE recruiting for 53 more conservation officers
DOCARE enforces state laws and rules at state parks, historical sites, forest reserves, conservation districts, boat harbors and state shorelines, among other areas. Read more
‘Zootopia 2’ breaks record to become top-grossing Disney animation film
The animated sequel is the fifth Walt Disney Animation Studios film to cross $1 billion globally, grossing around $1.46 billion at the box office after its strong Thanksgiving weekend opening. Read more
Paradise Cove Luau bids farewell tonight; items up for auction
The 10.85-acre property is slated for redevelopment by Cove Campbell Kobayashi LLC into a new, scaled-down retail and dining complex. Read more
DLNR to increase patrols to deter illegal Christmas tree bonfires
Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers will be patrolling the sandbar and other areas during the New Year’s holiday to enforce the law and protect the environment, DLNR said in a news release. Read more
Ukraine, E.U. officials dismiss alleged attack on Putin residence
U.S. national security officials have found Ukraine did not target Putin or one of his residences in a drone strike, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Read more
State warns of phishing via fake government websites
The state Office of Enterprise Technology Services says these sites may appear legitimate and often use “AI-native services” as a lure to encourage users to enter their data. Read more
Man, 70s, serious after being struck by car at intersection
Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene at South Beretania and Keeaumoku streets at 11:57 a.m. Tuesday. Read more
Trump Media unveils plan to distribute new cryptocurrency to shareholders
Shares of the company linked to President Donald Trump, which operates his social media platform Truth Social, were last up 5% in early trading. Read more
U.S. stocks clinch double-digit annual gains, capping a stellar year
The three major U.S. stock indexes were modestly lower, content to drift along just below record highs and bask in robust, double-digit annual gains. Read more
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U.S. judge blocks Trump move to end protected status for some migrants
Thompson cited statements by Republican President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem portraying immigrants as criminals and a drain on U.S. society. Read more
World begins to bid goodbye to 2025 with fireworks and icy plunges
As Wednesday turned to Thursday, people around the world said goodbye to a sometimes challenging 2025 and expressed hopes for the new year to come. Read more
Flu cases rise across U.S. as holiday travel fuels spread
Estimates released on Tuesday showed at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths so far this season, while experts warned the numbers are likely to keep rising. Read more
Gaza aid groups face suspensions under new Israeli rules
Israeli officials say the new rules are meant to prevent militants from infiltrating aid groups, and they require humanitarian groups to submit lists of their Palestinian employees for review, among other information. Read more
Trump vetoes Colorado water project and Florida tribal measure
These were the first two vetoes of Trump’s second term. Read more
Feds pause Minnesota child care funds amid fraud allegations
The decision blocks a funding stream that provides $185 million in annual aid to Minnesota day care centers, according to the health department. Read more
Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of John F. Kennedy, dies at 35
Her death was announced in an Instagram post by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, signed by her family. It did not say where she died. Read more
Feds audit cases of Somali U.S. citizens for potential denaturalization
“Under U.S. law, if an individual procures citizenship on a fraudulent basis, that is grounds for denaturalization,” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that was first reported by Fox News and reposted by the White House on social media. Read more
U.S. Justice Department sues Virginia over in-state tuition for migrants
The lawsuit targets a Virginia law that has since 2022 allowed immigrants who entered the country unlawfully to access reduced, in-state tuition rates at public universities and colleges if they can establish they reside in the state. Read more
Mel Gibson and Rosalind Ross separate after 9 years together
The representative confirmed a joint statement provided exclusively to PEOPLE on Tuesday that the couple had split about a year ago, but chose not to share the news publicly until now. Read more
China fires rockets off Taiwan’s coast during massive military drill
President Donald Trump has downplayed the threat of the drills, though U.S. lawmakers and the European Union condemned Beijing’s actions as undermining regional peace and stability. Read more
Kaneohe fire displaces 2 residents, spreads to 2 nearby homes
Firefighters brought the main building fire under control at 2:35 a.m. and extinguished it by 4:44 a.m. Read more
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More Breaking News
Feds pause Minnesota child care funds amid fraud allegations
Paradise Cove Luau bids farewell tonight; items up for auction
World begins to bid goodbye to 2025 with fireworks and icy plunges
State warns of phishing via fake government websites
U.S. stocks clinch double-digit annual gains, capping a stellar year
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