Local News

AUSTIN, Texas » In this state that spawned test-based accountability in public schools and spearheaded one of the nation's toughest high school curriculums, lawmakers are now considering a reversal that would cut back both graduation requirements and standardized testing.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. » The 911 call came in late Monday afternoon. Two men with guns, one sheathed in a bulletproof vest, were storming the home of actor Russell Brand, tucked away on a crest in the Hollywood Hills.

U.S. defenses could intercept a ballistic missile launched by North Korea, the top U.S. military commander in the Pacific said Tuesday as the relationship between the West and the communist government hit its lowest ebb since the end of the Korean War.

Author to discuss nisei WWII soldiers • Man sought in robbery of cabdriver • Kauai meeting not expected to have quorum

Boy critically hurt in fall from apartment • Man rescued from smoke-filled home • Empty kayak is found drifting off Maui

With rail construction slated to resume later this year, city officials will soon have to decide how they want to manage Oahu's 100 or so bus routes with its future 20-mile elevated train stretching from East Kapo­lei to Ala Moana Center.

A four-month manhunt ended Saturday when Kauai police arrested 37-year-old Justin Wynn Klein, who allegedly threw a Japa­nese visitor from a cliff on Kauai's North Shore.

State and federal officials are on the alert for a new bird flu virus that has infected at least 14 people and killed six in China after they suffered severe respiratory illnesses.

State House lawmakers are growing uncomfortable with a bill that would allow the state to conduct phased reviews of the impact of construction projects on burials or other historic property.

Two Hawaii-based fighter squadrons that fly F-22 Raptor fighter jets are combat capable and able to deploy all of their aircraft in any contingency, Hawaii Air National Guard officials announced Sunday.

Clues are building toward the possibility of life on Jupiter's moon Europa, which has a liquid water ocean under its icy crust.

Broken water mains afflicted Wai­kiki and Wai­pahu on Sunday. Board of Water Supply crews worked overnight Saturday to finish repairs to a 12-foot section of pipeline at 1850 Ala Moana Blvd., but Ewa-bound lanes remained closed until 4:30 p.m. Sunday, said a Board of Water Supply spokes­woman.

Question: Is the city Motor Vehicle and Licensing Division backlogged in updating safety checks into the computer records, or are the safety check stations lax in transmitting that information?

Latitude 17N, longitude 109W » Five days ago two friends, Alex and John, and I set sail on my boat, Honu, from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Vehicle fire makes leap to apartment • 1 of 3 suspects caught after robbery • Waianae resident held in Feb. 24 assault • Beating puts victim in serious condition

Mayor nominates 2 for budget positions • Police catch prison escapee • Injured hiker flown to safety • Road into park closed for work

NORFOLK, Va. » A third of the U.S. Air Force's active-duty force of combat planes including fighters and bombers will be grounded due to federal budget cuts, and only the units preparing to deploy to major operations, such as the war in Af­ghani­stan, will remain mission-ready, a top general said Tuesday.

Nathan Stanley Alayon • Milton Rapozo Branco Sr. • Mariano Reclusado Burcena Jr. • Rodney K. Chiogioji • LaClaire Ralph Colling • Sheryllynne Cramer • Julita Marcelina Fernandez • Nicholas Kenneth Giaconi, and more

POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE, Calif. » Seen from a nearby hilltop, the Drakes Bay Oyster Co. is a cluster of shacks with faded white walls. One patched roof appears at risk of being blown away by the next Pacific squall.

COVENTRY, England » Military analysts in Washington follow its body counts of Syrian and rebel soldiers to gauge the course of the war.