Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp argued before the shooting, neighbors report
A forensic team has converged on Olympian "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius's home, uncovering further details that counter initial theories that he shot and killed his celebrity model girlfriend by accident, under the impression she was an intruder. Published February 15, 2013
Sen. Robert Menendez probe widens, as investigators look to decade-old dealings
Investigators already scrutinizing Sen. Robert Menendez's ties to a Florida doctor-donor friend have now widened their investigation, going back a decade in the New Jersey politician's career and examining the circumstances surrounding his legislative halt to a company merger. Published February 15, 2013
House Republicans raise union ire with bill blocking pay raises
House Republicans are set Friday to block a President Obama-backed pay hike for federal workers, but the Senate isn't going to be so amenable. Published February 15, 2013
Iranian scientists believed to have attended North Korean nuclear test, report says
Iranian scientists may have been on hand to witness North Korea's underground nuclear test, according to one Western diplomat. Published February 15, 2013
Washington, D.C., by far, leads the nation in LGBT population, Gallup says
Fully 10 percent of Washington, D.C., respondents in a Gallup poll identified themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, making the nation's capital the largest population for LGBTs in America. Published February 15, 2013
Francois Hollande looks to raid French pensions to cut costs
Even Socialists admit the pension system can be bloated. France's President Francois Hollande, facing pressure from the European Union to meet budget plans, is looking at the sacred pension cow to cut. Published February 15, 2013
Small town in Indiana facing national heat over prom plans to exclude gays
Residents in a small Indiana town are reeling after national attention has turned against its decision to host a "traditional" prom, absent gay couples. Published February 15, 2013
Rahm Emanuel, Chicago politicos shoot down White House whispers
Chicago politicos are scrambling to quell reports of a Rahm Emanuel run for the White House, in the hours before President Obama is expected to visit the city to discuss his second-term agenda. Published February 15, 2013
Pistorius to be charged with premeditated murder of girlfriend; ‘Blade Runner’ sobbed in court
Prosecutors have indicated they will upgrade the charges for Olympic star Oscar Pistorius to premeditated murder for the shooting death of his celebrity model girlfriend, during a dramatic court hearing on Friday. Published February 15, 2013
Carnival cruise ship docks; 4,000 passengers head for home
A Carnival cruise nightmare for 4,000 passengers has finally come to an end, as the ship — after five days disabled at sea — pulled into a Mobile, Ala., dock late Thursday evening. Published February 15, 2013
Russian meteor shower in Ural Mountains town of Chelyabinsk injures 1,000
A huge fireball that streaked across Russia's skies above the Ural Mountains before exploding early Friday has injured an estimated 1,000. On an unrelated note, NASA says Asteroid 2012 DA14, a 150-foot asteroid is expected to fly by the Earth later on Friday, but miss it by 17,150 miles. Published February 15, 2013
Democrats to target millionaires with tax legislation
Democrats in the Senate are gearing up legislation that will offset proposed spending cuts to federal agencies and the Pentagon, with a focus on imposing taxes on million-dollar earners. Published February 14, 2013
Democratic Rep. Nadler decries Republicans for passing disaster relief bill for churches
A bill to provide federal funding to churches and nonprofits tied to religious organizations has passed the House, over the objections of one Democrat, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, who found it unconstitutional. Published February 14, 2013
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough blasts NRA’s Wayne LaPierre for racism
MSNBC "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough blasted the National Rifle Association's Wayne LaPierre for his "shameful" and "racial" defense of the Second Amendment in a recent printed opinion piece. Published February 14, 2013
Vacationing kids called back to school for Obama’s planned visit
President Obama's scheduled visit to an Atlanta-area school on Thursday came at a time when the children were vacationing, on winter break. Published February 14, 2013
GOP Wis. Gov. Scott Walker proposes moving Medicaid patients to ‘Obamacare’
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican who vehemently opposed "Obamacare," is now looking to the federal health reform act as a cost-cutter to the state's Medicaid system. Published February 14, 2013
South Korea unveils new cruise missile that could take out North command
South Korea's defense ministry responded to its northern neighbor's nuclear test with a showcase of its newest cruise missile, capable of striking Pyongyang's command post. Published February 14, 2013
Central bankers take on activist role to quell global economies
Central bankers have taken a decided step toward activism, moving away from a role to tamper inflation and toward one that takes into consideration the fiscal soundness of the wider, global economy. Published February 14, 2013
Eurozone recession deepens, as Germany posts surprising declines
The euro fell to a three-week low against the dollar, just weeks after the 17-nation eurozone reported a deeper drop into recession for the final three months of 2012. Published February 14, 2013
Reeva Steenkamp, Oscar Pistorius’ slain girlfriend, was a model looking forward to Valentine’s Day
Police say stunning South African beauty Reeva Steenkamp was gunned down by her boyfriend of one year, Olympic track star Oscar Pistorius. The gold medalist, known as the Blade Runner for his prosthetic legs, has been charged in her death. Published February 14, 2013
