Aug 11 Maui wildfire burns 150-year-old banyan tree, threatening survival By Bobby Caina Calvan, Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press A giant 150-year-old banyan tree is among many landmarks in Lahaina which have been damaged. The sprawling tree that was the oceanside community's heart is now uncertain. The tree's limbs were scorched by a devastating fire that wiped away generations… Continue reading
Aug 11 Questions grow over wildfire warnings as Maui death toll rises By Ty O'Neil, Jennifer Kelleher, Rebecca Boone, Associated Press, Claire Rush, Associated Press/Report for America Many of survivors said in interviews Thursday that they didn’t hear any sirens or receive a warning that gave them enough time to prepare, only realizing they were in danger when they saw flames or heard explosions nearby. Continue reading
Aug 11 How the Hawaii fires will take a toll on the state’s natural treasures By Doug Glass, Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press Experts say the fires are likely to transform the landscape in unwanted ways including hastening erosion, sending sediment into waterways and degrading coral that is critically important to the islands, marine life and the humans who live nearby. Continue reading
Aug 10 Federal judge will hear arguments on potential takeover of New York City’s troubled jail system By Jake Offenhartz, Associated Press A federal judge has agreed to begin a process that could wrest control of New York City's troubled jail system away from Mayor Eric Adams. That could see a court-appointed outside authority take charge of Rikers Island by early next… Continue reading
Aug 10 Texas judge says not to expect a quick ruling over GOP efforts to toss 2022 election losses near Houston By Associated Press Following closing arguments in the first of multiple legal challenges to local election results in Harris County, Texas, a visiting judge said the decision on whether to overturn the outcome based on alleged irregularities is weeks away. Continue reading
Aug 10 Watch 7:50 What fueled the Hawaiian wildfires that killed dozens and leveled historic Lahaina town By Amna Nawaz, Courtney Norris Crews are still fighting fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui. At least 36 people are known dead and more than 270 buildings damaged or destroyed across a blackened landscape. It's the nation's deadliest fire disaster in five years. Amna… Continue watching
Aug 10 Watch 6:11 Alcohol-related deaths among women rise at a faster rate than men By Laura Barrón-López, Dorothy Hastings In the last two decades, more and more Americans have died from drinking-related causes. But a new study shows alcohol-related deaths are rising faster among women than men. Laura Barrón-López discussed the research with Dr. Paula Cook, a physician who… Continue watching
Aug 10 Supreme Court temporarily blocks OxyContin maker bankruptcy deal that would protect Sackler family By Mark Sherman, Associated Press The justices on Thursday agreed to a Biden administration request to put the brakes on an agreement reached last year with state and local governments. Continue reading
Aug 10 A billion-dollar coastal restoration project begins in Louisiana. Will it work as sea levels rise? By Kevin McGill, Associated Press If the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project works as intended, solids in the river water will settle out in the basin and gradually restore land that has been steadily eroding for decades. Continue reading
Aug 10 Mississippi Supreme Court won’t remove Favre from lawsuit over misspent welfare dollars By Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press The Mississippi Supreme Court says it will not remove NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre as a defendant in a civil lawsuit that seeks to recover millions of dollars of misspent welfare money. Continue reading