Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Spain train driver is investigated as police cite speed as factor in fatal derailment
Investigators on Thursday said speed was a factor in the Spain train derailment that killed at least 78, and are bringing the driver in for questioning. Published July 25, 2013
Eliot Spitzer roped into Weiner scandal with query about prostitutes
Eliot Spitzer's campaign officials can thank Anthony Weiner for the latest question by the Wall Street Journal pertaining to his own prostitution scandal from 2011: "Have you consorted with prostitutes since resigning as New York governor in 2008?" Published July 24, 2013
Finland shoppers can now pay for items with facial recognition technology
Forget cash. Leave the credit cards at home. Shoppers in Finland have a new means of paying for their purchases — with their faces. Published July 24, 2013
Pope Francis follower in Brazil: ‘Same thing as seeing Jesus pass by’
Thousands of Catholic Church faithful crowded for a glimpse of Pope Francis on Wednesday, as he visited small town Aparecida, venerated Brazil's patron saint and delivered his first public Mass on his visit to the country. Published July 24, 2013
Georgia man to Empire State guard: Can you hold my gun for me?
A Georgia tourist, apparently unaware of New York's tight gun-control laws, tried to walk into the Empire State Building on Tuesday with his loaded gun. He was caught, the New York Post reported, when he asked a nearby security guard if there was a place he could store his weapon. Published July 24, 2013
California high court rejects San Diego clerk’s plea to halt gay marriage
California Supreme Court justices shot down a petition from a San Diego County clerk and said that yes, the man must grant licenses to gay couples who wish to marry, despite existing state law. Published July 24, 2013
Vice President Joe Biden, in India, suggests his ancestors are Indian
Vice President Joseph R. Biden suggested Wednesday to a crowd gathered at the Bombay Stock Exchange that his ancestry may in fact include Indian blood. Published July 24, 2013
60-foot petition demanding Benghazi answers is unfurled on Capitol Hill
A group called Special Operations Veterans, the mission of which is to uncover the truths about the Benghazi, Libya, terror attack that left four Americans dead, took its demands to Capitol Hill on Tuesday via a petition that spans 60 feet in length. Published July 24, 2013
Jesse Ventura can sub Chris Kyle’s widow as lawsuit defendant, judge says
Jesse Ventura — the former World Wrestling Federation wrestler-turned-governor of Minnesota — may pursue a lawsuit against former Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, now deceased, subbing in his widow as the defendant instead. Published July 24, 2013
Las Vegas police officer falls to death in helicopter rescue of hiker
A Las Vegas police officer was killed recently while trying to save a Mount Charleston hiker, after his helicopter tether broke and he plunged hundreds of feet into the canyon. Published July 24, 2013
James ‘Whitey’ Bulger’s suspected ally to be featured in reality TV
A convicted felon who was just named during court testimony as a friend and partner to James "Whitey" Bulger — notorious alleged Boston mobster — will be featured on a reality television show on the Discovery Channel, and crime victims' families are outraged. Published July 24, 2013
North Carolina lawmakers pass bill to let gun owners carry weapons in bars
Lawmakers in North Carolina passed on Tuesday expanded rights for concealed carry permit holders, making it legal for gun owners to bring their weapons into bars and restaurants and other public areas previously prohibited. Published July 24, 2013
Indian authorities arrest headmistress in fatal school lunch poisonings of 23
Indian authorities arrested on Wednesday the headmistress of the school where 23 students died after eating poisoned lunches. Published July 24, 2013
Louisiana to sue Big Energy for ‘many, many billions of dollars’
Louisiana is poised to file on Wednesday a massive lawsuit against dozens of energy companies in the state, alleging they caused billions of dollars in damages to ecologically sensitive wetlands areas that serve to protect residents from hurricane damage. Published July 24, 2013
Judge rules Ohio must recognize gay marriage of dying man
Ohio doesn't recognize gay marriage, but a federal judge ordered this week that it must in the case of a dying man who married his partner in Maryland, where the unions are legal, and list the couple on the official state death certificate. Published July 24, 2013
Palestinian envoy to United Nations slams Israel for ‘war crimes’
The Palestinian representative to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, said to Security Council members Tuesday that Israel was committing "war crimes" and supporting acts of "terror" against his people. Published July 24, 2013
Anthony Weiner’s wife, Huma Abedin, forgives ala Hillary Clinton, political strategist says
In a public statement that one political strategist said hearkened to the Hillary Clinton days, Huma Abedin said Tuesday she's forgiven her husband, former Rep. Anthony Weiner, for his sexting scandals — including the latest, which went public this week — and said most marriages encounter difficulties and challenges. Published July 24, 2013
22 killed in dramatic shootout between police and gangs in Mexico
Twenty-two people were killed after gang members in Mexico set up a roadblock on a major highway in the violent state of Michoacan, engaging in a shootout with police who responded to the scene late Tuesday. Published July 24, 2013
Trayvon Martin’s dad heading to Capitol Hill podium
Trayvon Martin's father is heading to Capitol Hill to speak to congressional members about the difficulties and challenges facing blacks in 21st century America. Published July 24, 2013
Lawmakers move to stop Fort Hood shooting suspect Nidal Hasan’s pay
Congressional members have introduced a bill to halt the pay of shooting suspect Maj. Nidal Hasan, who's facing numerous murder counts for his admitted 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood. Published July 24, 2013
