Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
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
Louisiana gas well explodes, sending workers fleeing
Emergency responders on Wednesday were still trying to douse the flames from a natural gas well that exploded off the coast of Louisiana, evacuating 44 workers, the Coast Guard said. Published July 24, 2013
Black Caucus member: America treats blacks inferior to whites
A member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Yvette Clarke, said Monday evening that the George Zimmerman acquittal proves one thing: America puts less value on black lives than on white lives. Published July 23, 2013
Pope Francis’ security team blamed for chaos by Brazilian officials
Let the finger-pointing begin. Security teams for Pope Francis were in turmoil on Tuesday, blaming each other for the lapses that led to a wrong turn down Rio de Janeiro streets, a rush at the pontiff's car and a halt to the procession — safety compromises that don't bear well for the city that's supposed to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. Published July 23, 2013
Michelle Obama takes up anti-gun mantra to youth
First lady Michelle Obama — leader of the federal government's healthy eating initiatives — has found a new cause: Next up, gun safety and gun control messages to youth. Published July 23, 2013
Cop who leaked Dzhokhar Tsarnaev photos placed on restricted duty
The Massachusetts State Police photographer who released photographs of Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture was placed on desk duty Tuesday while internal affairs investigates his action to see what rules, if any, he broke. Published July 23, 2013
New York LaGuardia Airport back in business, after landing snafu
New York City's LaGuardia Airport was up and running, fully operational Tuesday after a plane skidded off the runway amid a landing gear snafu. Published July 23, 2013
Texas police arrest 2 illegal immigrants in gang-rape of girl, 13
Police in Austin, Texas, arrested two Mexicans and held them on immigration detainers, after a 13-year-old girl came forward last week and claimed she was gang-raped by up to 13 men. Published July 23, 2013