Top Hawaii Headlines: Thursday morning edition

Ignoring Gov. Linda Lingle's veto threat, the state House and Senate voted yesterday to raise taxes to help balance the state's budget.

Worse-than-expected news on unemployment and home sales Thursday dampened optimism that a broad economic recovery might be near.

Schools to look at closures, no decisions made. Official says study doesn't mean school will necessarily close.

A volunteer program helps people get ready for a pandemic, and helps others in the process.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flash flood watch for all Hawaiian Islands from Thursday afternoon through 6 p.m. Friday afternoon.

A pair of motions seeking the dismissal of seven charges of manslaughter against retired O‘ahu auto dealer James Pflueger were denied Wednesday, leaving his indictment intact and setting the stage for a much-anticipated trial that was pushed back from June to October.

Honolulu City Council gave final approval to Bill 4, a measure to ban talking on a cell phone while driving unless a hands-free device is used.

The Humane Society of the United States is criticizing the state for its "cruel" eradication of feral cows and bulls by helicopter on the Big Island last week.