Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Pope Francis wins another ‘Person of the Year’ — from gay rights magazine
Pope Francis, already Time magazine's "Person of the Year," has now cinched the same title from another notable publication: The gay rights magazine, The Advocate. Published December 17, 2013
University of Maryland mulls sex change surgery in insurance plans
Sex change operations may soon be part and parcel of University of Maryland student insurance plans, the campus newspaper, The Diamondback, reported. Published December 17, 2013
Obama appeals to moms for help with Obamacare
President Obama and the first lady have turned to a niche market for help with selling Obamacare to a reluctant and frustrated public — the moms of the nation. Published December 17, 2013
Pope Francis celebrates 77th birthday with homeless
Pope Francis celebrated his 77th birthday at the Vatican on Tuesday with four homeless individuals who hail from the streets of Rome, in a neighborhood right outside the Holy See’s walls. Published December 17, 2013
South Sudan squelches coup after heavy nighttime gunfire
The president of South Sudan said soldiers who were loyal to the former deputy who attempted a coup have been put down and controlled, following a tense nighttime battle the saw both sides trading massive gunfire. Published December 17, 2013
6 U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan crash
BREAKING: Six Americans were killed in a helicopter crash on Tuesday in southern Afghanistan. Published December 17, 2013
Alabama firefighters dig for survivors of apartment blast
Firefighters in Birmingham, Ala., were digging through the debris of an apartment building on Tuesday, looking for two people who were reported missing several hours after an explosion rocked the facility. Published December 17, 2013
Big Sur wildfire destroys home of firefighting chief
At least 100 homeowners in the Big Sur, Calif., region were sent packing on Tuesday, as wildfires swept the area and destroyed 15 or so homes — including that of the firefighting chief of the local force. Published December 17, 2013
‘ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas’ set for mock trial to argue authorship
Nearly 200 years later, and the author of the traditional Christmas poem, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," remains a mystery. But on Wednesday, in a mock court hearing, that matter could be settled once and for all. Published December 17, 2013
Angela Merkel’s third term as Germany’s chancellor to be marked by move to left
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's third term — set in stone by parliamentary election on Tuesday — is expected to be marked by a decided move to the political left, with looming legislation that introduces a countrywide minimum wage. Published December 17, 2013
Mega Millions entices with record-setting jackpot: Half a billion so far
Half a billion dollars so far: That's the record-setting jackpot level that Mega Millions is promising for one lucky winner in Tuesday's draw. Published December 17, 2013
Regulate sugar has ‘negative impact on society,’ doctor says
A cardiologist in London said sugar is so addictive, and has such an adverse effect on consumers, that it’s actually a danger to society at large and should be regulated like alcohol. Published December 17, 2013
Scientists hope ‘panda porn’ helps grow endangered species
A breeding expert in China says that he’s found considerable success in enticing captive pandas to move the process along – but showing them, bluntly, “panda porn.” Published December 17, 2013
Dennis Rodman heads to North Korea — despite execution, political purge
Former NBA great Dennis Rodman isn't abandoning plans to travel to North Korea to help train the country's basketball team — regardless of the execution of Kim Jong-un's uncle and the purge of several from top-ranking political spots. Published December 17, 2013
U.S. says Russia missile deployment at Poland border upsets region
Russia's confirmed launch of a high-tech missile system near the border with Poland and Lithuania is an aggressive act that will destabilize the region, U.S. authorities said. Published December 17, 2013
San Antonio zoo fire kills Komodo dragon and snakes
Several reptiles, including a 15-year-old Komodo dragon, were killed by smoke inhalation after a fire filled an enclosed area at the San Antonio Zoo. Published December 17, 2013
Princess Diana’s death case to remain closed
Police in London said Tuesday they won’t reopen an investigation into the death of Princess Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed, claiming there is no additional evidence that demands scrutiny. Published December 17, 2013
George Zimmerman painting fetching almost $100K on eBay
Bids on eBay for a painting by George Zimmerman of a blue American flag have hit the six-figure range — a dramatic upswing from the opening amount at 99 cents. Published December 17, 2013
North Korea elite rush to pledge allegiance to Kim Jong-un
In the wake of the execution of Kim Jong-un’s uncle, political and military elite in North Korea have rushed to defend and re-pledge allegiance to the young dictator. Published December 17, 2013
Trayvon Martin’s parents shop book deal on son’s death: report
Trayvon Martin's mother and father are reportedly shopping a book about their 17-year-old son whose death by gunfire sparked a national discussion about stand-your-ground defense laws and racism. Published December 16, 2013
