Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
EPA ignores court ruling; raises biofuels standards
Never mind that a federal appeals court just ruled that the Obama administration is setting impossibly high production goals for cellulosic biofuels production. The Environmental Protection Agency just ramped up the standards even higher, from 8.7 million gallon mandates for 2012 to 14 million gallons by the end of this year. Published February 1, 2013
Newtown education board: More police, please
The Board of Education in Newtown, Conn., asked the town for funding in its upcoming budget for more armed police patrols to the community's four elementary schools. Published February 1, 2013
Tops for conservatives: Alabama; D.C. is most liberal, Gallup says
Looking for a nice conservative-minded state to call home? Well, move to Alabama, top state for those of right-minded ideology, according to the latest Gallup poll. Published February 1, 2013
Chicago’s finest: Cops mistakenly release convicted murderer from custody
Police on Thursday were searching for convicted murder Steven Robbins, 44, after he was inadvertently freed from custody in Chicago. Published February 1, 2013
Hot spots speckle Middle East map
All eyes are on the Middle East, as Friday opened with a bed of hot-spot activity: The U.S. Embassy is Turkey was targeted by suicide bomb. Israel just wrapped reported sorties to root out chemical weapons shipments to Hezbollah. Syria has threatened retaliation for Israeli fighter jet attacks on its facilities and equipment. And Egypt is still roiling from a week's worth of violence and unrest that has left, so far, more than 50 dead. Published February 1, 2013
Brits decline to prosecute pranksters tied to Royal’s nurse suicide
The two Australian radio personalities who pranked the pregnant Kate Middleton's nurse will not be charged in her subsequent suicide, British prosecutors decided. Published February 1, 2013
Political turmoil rocks British parliament
Turmoil has rocked Britain's parliament as anti-Tory party politicos demanded Prime Minister David Cameron oust Chancellor George Osborne. Published February 1, 2013
Jobless rate increases to 7.9 percent; 157K jobs added
U.S. unemployment rose slightly to 7.9 percent, according to just-released federal figures. The economy, meanwhile, added 157,000 jobs. Published February 1, 2013
Retired Cardinal Roger Mahony tied to church abuse claims, stripped of duties
Retired Cardinal Roger Mahony apologized Thursday for bungling church-related child sex abuse investigations, shortly after he was stripped of administrative duties by his successor. Published February 1, 2013
Texas prosecutor’s slaying sets colleagues on edge
Investigators are pouring through the files of an aggressive Texas prosecutor who was shot dead Thursday, seeking clues to the identity of the masked killer. Published February 1, 2013
Latest Obamacare casualty: 100 workers at Smith & Nephew
Global medical technology firm Smith & Nephew announced Thursday the layoff of almost 100 workers at its Tennessee and Massachusetts plants — and placed blame for the drawdown firmly at the feet of Obamacare. Published February 1, 2013
Suicide bomber kills, wound dozens in Pakistan
At least 18 are dead and more than 30 wounded in an early Friday morning suicide bomb attack outside a Shiite mosque in Pakistan. Published February 1, 2013
FEC: 2012 elections cost $7 billion
Candidates in the 2012 presidential election spent a record $7 billion during the race — a record-setting figure that surpassed all expectations, according to the Federal Election Commission. Published February 1, 2013
Alabama boy held hostage believed safe
The 5-year-old Alabama boy snatched from his school bus at gunpoint and stashed with his abductor in a bunker is believed to be physically safe, police said Friday, on day three of the standoff. Published February 1, 2013
Clinton’s parting shot: Benghazi critics live in la-la land
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's last day is Friday, and she wraps with a departing shot: Benghazi critics aren't living in reality. Published February 1, 2013
Ed Koch died, colorful former New York City mayor was 88
Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch — a combative, three-term leader largely credited with saving the city from dire financial straits — died early Friday morning at the age of 88. Published February 1, 2013
Australian takes control of U.S. training in Pacific
A two-star general from the Australian Defense Force has taken over for the United States' training and exercise program in the Pacific. Published February 1, 2013
Justice tries to halt Budweiser beer merger
The Department of Justice has turned its attention to the beer industry and is trying to halt the merger of Budweiser maker, Anheuser-Busch InBev, with Mexican brewer, Grupo Modelo. Published January 31, 2013
Dems turn to NFL, NBA for help with climate change
One of the first actions of the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change that Democrats set up last week? A letter to National Football League and National Basketball Association officials, asking for help to lower greenhouse gas emission levels and fight climate change, The Hill reports. Published January 31, 2013
Parents build tank-sized memorial for fallen vet
When 22-year-old Jonathan Roberge was killed by a suicide bomber while driving his M60-A3 tank in Iraq on Feb. 9, 2009, his parents honored his memory in a unique way. The Leominster, Mass., couple ultimately constructed a park — complete with an actual M60 tank and a bronze statue of Mr. Roberge. Published January 31, 2013