Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Navy cracking down on drunk sailors
Apparently, drunken sailors are causing such problems that the U.S. Navy has announced random alcohol testing, starting next month. Published January 24, 2013
Mystery: $114 billion withdrawn from banks
More than $114 billion has been withdrawn from the nation's biggest banks in the first full week of January, and industry analysts are struggling to understand why. Published January 24, 2013
Kansas considers cutting out income tax
Kansas lawmakers, led by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, introduced a bill Wednesday that would eventually end the state's income tax. Published January 24, 2013
Greek government takes hard line with strikers
Return to work or be fired: That's the message of Greece's top transportation official to strikers, following eight days of capital city subway closures. Published January 24, 2013
Gallup: Obama hits record high for polarizing politics
In terms of polarizing the public, President Obama is on a fast-track to No. 1. "Obama's fourth year in office ties as the most polarized [administration] ever," Gallup reports. Published January 24, 2013
Superstorm Sandy victims scoff at FEMA’s ‘Rapid Repairs’
Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are touting a first-of-its-kind "Rapid Repairs" program as speeding aid to Superstorm Sandy victims in New York City. But ask a resident still awaiting help, and the response, more often than not, is: Repairs? What repairs? Published January 24, 2013
Grounded U.S. Navy minesweeper takes on water
The USS Guardian, which was grounded on a Philippine reef on Jan. 17, is badly damaged and taking on water, according to a U.S. Navy official. Published January 24, 2013
Newly formed tea cartel hints of higher prices
Move over OPEC. There's a new cartel in town — this one aimed at driving up the price of tea. Published January 23, 2013
Federal court to sex offenders: You can use Facebook
A federal appeals court in Chicago ruled Wednesday that sex offenders can use social networking sites such as Facebook. Published January 23, 2013
Girl Scout cookie heist ends with broken nose, arrests
Two Massachusetts men were arrested on charges stemming from a $400 cookie theft attempt from Girl Scouts doing business outside a Northampton store on Tuesday. Published January 23, 2013
Manti Te’o admits to lie, but it’s no big deal
Scandalized Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o says yes, he did lie about his supposed girlfriend, Lennay Kekua — but that he only did what anybody in his position would do. Published January 23, 2013
Union membership sees sharp decline
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that union membership rates have fallen off sharply in the past year, from 11.8 percent of the workforce to 11.3 percent. Published January 23, 2013
Murray vows Senate will bring in a budget
After more than three years, the Democrat-controlled Senate may bring forth a formal budget under the direction of its newly appointed Budget Committee Chairman, Sen. Patty Murray Published January 23, 2013
Clinton dons green for key testimony: Her subliminal sartorial message
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton projects tranquillity, calm and good luck by wearing green during her appearance on Capitol Hill Published January 23, 2013
Dem pol disses women on campaign trail
The Democratic Party may be facing a public relations ding with women. A Democratic candidate seeking a New York City Council seat, Ed Hartzog, responded Tuesday to a female reporter’s question about campaign finances this way: “What’s a pretty girl like you doing reading these?” Published January 23, 2013
Oh Blarney: Ireland county seeks OK to drink and drive
Not to advance stereotypes about the Irish and alcohol — but the Kerry County governing body just approved a measure seeking permission for drivers to legally operate a vehicle under the influence. Published January 23, 2013
Angry North Korea answers U.N. rebuke with vow to build nukes
An angry North Korea has responded to the United Nations’ rebuke of its December rocket launch with a vow to boost its nuclear capabilities. Published January 23, 2013
Even Democrats knock Obama’s new nonprofit
President Obama’s new advocacy group, Organizing for Action, is not just off-putting to Republicans and government watchdogs, who are alarmed that the tax-exempt group is not subject to normal Internal Revenue Service nonprofit regulations. Published January 23, 2013
Netanyahu wins re-election, Israeli media say
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially won re-election, according to Israeli media, but his Likud party is expressing disappointment. Published January 23, 2013
Germany, France warn Britain’s Cameron off an ‘a la carte’ European Union
Germany and France have a simple message for British Prime Minister David Cameron: You can't pick and choose which treaty obligations to abide by as a condition of European Union membership. Published January 23, 2013