Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Nancy Pelosi strategizes for budget talks: ‘Stay together, we have leverage’
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, in the lead-up to last-minute budget negotiations, has rallied her Democratic colleagues to gear up for a fight, telling them that they still hold plenty of leverage if only they stick together. Published December 5, 2014
Mark Wahlberg begs Massachusetts to clear assault conviction: ‘I am deeply sorry’
Mark Wahlberg petitioned Massachusetts authorities to wipe clean an assault conviction he's carried since 1988, when he blinded a man in an eye during a street attack in front of a convenience store. Published December 5, 2014
John Lewis says Eric Garner, Michael Brown families should be at State of Union
Rep. John Lewis, one of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, says the families of both Michael Brown and Eric Garner should be invited to the State of the Union -- that they would serve as good teaching tools for America on the problems of police injustice. Published December 5, 2014
Alejandro Amor accused of hiring strippers to lure students to FastTrain College
A for-profit college in Florida -- now defunct -- is under fire for allegedly using strippers and exotic dancers as admissions officers in order to lure students, and pressing applicants to lie on financial aid forms to bolster university coffers. Published December 5, 2014
U.S. Army seeking new sidearm to replace Beretta
For almost 30 years, the Beretta pistol has been the sidearm of choice for the U.S. Army -- but now the Pentagon wants a new pistol, and has put out the word to gun manufacturers: Let the bidding begin. Published December 5, 2014
Erica Garner on Eric Garner, dad: His death ‘not a black and white issue’
Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner -- who died after he was put in a police chokehold on the streets of New York -- said it wasn't so much racism but officer Daniel Pantaleo's pride that escalated the altercation and led to a fatal conclusion. Published December 5, 2014
Jen Psaki caught on mic calling own Egypt line ‘ridiculous’
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki was captured on a hot microphone seeming to call one of her own prepared statements about Egypt "ridiculous" at the tail end of an abruptly ended press conference. Published December 5, 2014
Satanists win right to put up ‘Hell’ display by nativity scene at Florida Capitol
Florida agreed Thursday to let the Satanic Temple put up a holiday display at the Capitol, effectively putting to end a First Amendment lawsuit being filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Published December 4, 2014
Ryan Guillen, Texas lawmaker, to ban punishing kids who chew pastries into guns
Rep. Ryan Guillen, a Democratic lawmaker in Texas, said kids shouldn't be tossed out of school for biting Pop-Tarts and other edibles into the shape of guns — and he's brought forward a bill to "fix this" scenario. Published December 4, 2014
Esaw Garner refuses Daniel Pantaleo’s apology: ‘Hell no,’ I don’t accept it
Esaw Garner, the widow of Eric Garner, who was killed by chokehold by New York policeman Daniel Pantaleo, said the officer's proffered apology rings hollow — and that "hell no," she won't accept it. Published December 4, 2014
Jerry Sandusky, child molester, gets Penn State invite to renew season tickets
Unbelievably, Pennsylvania State University officials mailed a letter to convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky that asked if he wanted to renew his season tickets. Published December 4, 2014
Luke Somers, U.S. journalist, pleads for life in al Qaeda hostage video
Luke Somers, a man who identifies himself as an American citizen born in the United Kingdom, said in a new video purportedly released by al Qaeda that he is about to die — and that he needs "help that can get me out of this situation," he said. Published December 4, 2014
Erica May Carey, Cleave Rengo lose custody of kids after giving birth at home
A Washington state mom and dad are fighting to get their three kids back from child protective services after giving birth at home without hospital oversight. Published December 4, 2014
Hillary Clinton in quiet talks with possible campaign managers: report
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been in engaging in quiet talks with key political insiders with experience and expertise in campaign management, several sources said to Politico. Published December 4, 2014
Rand Paul: Eric Garner died due to politicians and ‘bad laws’
Sen. Rand Paul took a look at the issues surrounding Eric Garner's death — the Staten Island black man who was killed by chokehold by white N.Y. Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo — and said the fueling factor for the tragedy was political overreach, leading to "bad laws" for petty crimes. Published December 4, 2014
Michael Sam suggests: NFL ignores me because I’m gay
Former St. Louis Rams' draftee Michael Sam — the first openly gay player in the NFL — suggested in a quick airport interview with TMZ Sports that he may have been released and ignored by the league because of his sexual orientation. Published December 4, 2014
Ben Carson: Charles Barkley is right — ‘police are our friends’
Former neurosurgeon and possible 2016 Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson said during a CNN sit-down that former NBA player Charles Barkley was right in his assessment of the Ferguson situation — that white police officers don't have a target on the backs of blacks and they aren't out to kill those of color. Published December 4, 2014
British police arrest 7 tied to terrorism offenses
Police in the United Kingdom have arrested seven individuals who are believed to be tied to terrorism offenses. Published December 4, 2014
Charles Whitman’s brain among 100s in glass jars missing from University of Texas
The University of Texas at Austin said it has lost track of 100 jars of brains stored in formaldehyde that it received under a temporary transfer agreement from a mental institution — including one that may have belonged to Charles Whitman, the former Marine who shot at dozens of people from a watch tower on the campus about five decades ago. Published December 3, 2014
American teacher in Dubai stabbed to death by veiled killer
An American teacher working at a Dubai school was stabbed to death by an attacker who was wearing a black robe, gloves and full-faced veil, police said. Published December 3, 2014
