“Top stories and breaking news from Hawaii, across the nation, and around the world.”
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Accessed on 17 March 2026, 1434 UTC.
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 71°Today’s Paper
Breaking News
Get the latest top stories and breaking news today from Hawaii, across the nation and around the world.
Trump pressures media over war coverage, raises ‘treason’ claims
Official Pentagon briefings now include attacks on outlets such as CNN, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth nitpicking headlines. Read more
SEC’s top cop resigns after just six months on the job
Ryan, a former Marine who had clerked for well-known conservative judges, had been seen as an unusual pick to lead the 1,400-person enforcement given that she had little experience specific to securities law. Read more
Wall Street ends higher as traders return to AI stocks
Meta jumped 2.3% after Reuters reported that the social media platform plans to shrink its workforce by at least 20% to offset costly artificial-intelligence infrastructure bets and prepare for greater efficiency brought about by AI-assisted workers. Read more
Apple unveils second-generation AirPods Max at $549
The update marks Apple’s first major refresh of the over-ear headphones since their 2020 debut, as the company adds new features and improved noise cancellation to compete more aggressively in the premium headphones market. Read more
Judge blocks RFK Jr. vaccine overhaul in setback for Trump
U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy today sided with medical groups who argued that Kennedy and the agencies he oversees unlawfully reshaped federal policies in ways that will increase barriers to getting vaccinated, fuel distrust in shots and lower immunization rates. Read more
More than 10,000 flights delayed or canceled due to major storms
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the weather was affecting flights across the country. A major winter storm was also snarling flights across the Midwest and Great Lakes states. Read more
Waianae building fire intentionally set, HFD says
Eight units staffed with 24 personnel responded to the scene. Read more
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has early-stage breast cancer
Trump said Wiles had decided to begin treatment immediately and would be “spending virtually full time at the White House” during that period. Read more
Philippines rejects China’s claim to entire South China Sea
Philippine foreign ministry spokesperson Rogelio Villanueva said the Philippines had “indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty” over Scarborough Shoal and the islands Manila holds in the Spratly archipelago. Read more
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Trump frustrated as allies refuse Hormuz warship escorts
A number of U.S. partners, including Germany, Spain and Italy, said they had no immediate plans to send ships to help reopen the strategic waterway. Read more
Warner Bros. Oscar wins shadowed by $110B Paramount deal
The studio received 11 Oscars, led by “One Battle After Another,” a tale of violent resistance in a dystopian America, which received six awards, including for best picture, director and supporting actor. Read more
Airline CEOs urge Congress to pay TSA officers amid travel disruption
Absences by Transportation Security Administration officers have already disrupted travel at some major airports over the last week, raising alarm as the busy spring break travel season continues. Read more
Costco recalls meatloaf sold in Hawaii over salmonella risk
Costco is advising customers not to consume the recalled product and instead return it to any warehouse for a full refund. Read more
Hawaii Police Department seeking Pahoa men who were reported missing
Two Pahoa men, 64 and 31, were reported missing in separate cases. Read more
UH men’s volleyball team rebounds to beat Lewis in 4
The University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team came back from a disappointing loss by sweep to No. 1-ranked UCLA to beat Lewis in four sets less than 24 hours later on Sunday at Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. Read more
Man, 63, dies after crash on Vineyard off-ramp
This was Oahu’s 11th traffic fatality this year compared with 18 at the same time last year. Read more
Long Beach State hands UH baseball team another defeat
Long Beach State pitcher Jason Gerfers allowed just four singles and two walks in a complete game 2-1 victory Sunday, dealing visiting Hawaii its fifth loss in six Big West games. Read more
U.S. officials predict quick end to Iran war; Tehran says it can outlast foes
President Donald Trump threatened more strikes on Iran’s main oil export hub Kharg Island over the weekend and said he was not ready to reach a deal to end the war which has shut off the vital Strait of Hormuz and shaken up global energy markets. Read more
Hawaii draws SEC champion Arkansas in NCAA Tournament opener
Hawaii drew the No. 13th seed in the West Region and will face fourth-seeded and SEC champion Arkansas in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Read more
‘One Battle After Another’ takes best picture at the Oscars
Hosted by Conan O’Brien for a second year, the festivities will feature a wide-open contest led by “Sinners” with 16 nominations — a record number in the nearly 100-year-old history of the Oscars — as Hollywood grapples with geopolitical tensions, industry consolidation and anxiety over artificial intelligence. Read more
U.S. advocacy group: Afghan asylum-seeker dies in ICE custody
Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal died of unknown causes on Saturday, VanDiver said. Paktyawal, 41, is at least the 12th person to die in ICE detention this year under President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Read more
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More Breaking News
Judge blocks RFK Jr. vaccine overhaul in setback for Trump
Waianae building fire intentionally set, HFD says
Trump pressures media over war coverage, raises ‘treason’ claims
SEC’s top cop resigns after just six months on the job
Trump frustrated as allies refuse Hormuz warship escorts
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