Kellan Howell
Articles by Kellan Howell
Churches offer sanctuary for immigrants facing deportation
Leaders of a church-based sanctuary movement on Friday vowed to offer refuge within their houses of worship to immigrants facing deportation as the Obama administration is planning a crackdown on Central American families who entered the country illegally. Published December 26, 2015
Bowe Bergdahl: Taliban asked how troops get prostitutes, drugs, whether Obama is gay
This season of the hit podcast "Serial" is investigating the mysterious disappearance, capture and release of embattled Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, and in this week's episode, he describes what his Taliban captors did to him and asked him. Published December 26, 2015
Austrian radio jockey punished for playing ‘Last Christmas’ 24 times in a row
An Austrian radio station has punished one of its jockey's after he decided to play a prank on listeners, locking himself in the studio and playing the song "Last Christmas" 24 times in a row. Published December 25, 2015
Golden Hammer: IRS glitch overlooks fraud flags, costs $46 million in tax refunds
Call it the glitch that stole Christmas. The Internal Revenue Service issued over $46 million in erroneous tax refunds because of poor oversight and a computer glitch that, left unfixed, could cost taxpayers over $230 million over the next five years, according to a watchdog report. Published December 24, 2015
Americans held hostage in Iran during 444-day crisis get overdue compensation in spending bill
American diplomats who were held hostage in Iran for 444 days more than three decades ago were will finally receive compensation, a move lawmakers hailed on Thursday after years of fighting to get a measure of vindication for the captives. Published December 24, 2015
Black Lives Matter protesters aim to shut down Chicago’s Magnificent Mile on Christmas Eve
Protesters in Chicago plan to block shoppers from the city's renowned Magnificent Mile Thursday to protest police brutality, one day after demonstrators in Minnesota stormed the Mall of America and blocked terminals in the Minneapolis airport. Published December 24, 2015
Secret Service didn’t review response to 2011 White House shooting, spent $17M on upgrades: report
The Secret Service did not conduct a review of its response to a 2011 shooting at the White House but spent $17 million to make security improvements without knowing if they were needed, according to a new watchdog report. Published December 24, 2015
Mark Hamill skips ‘Star Wars’ promo to visit sick kids in London hospital
Mark Hamill, the actor who portrays Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars" skipped a recent promotional event for "The Force Awakens," opting to visit sick children at a British hospital instead. Published December 24, 2015
German police searching for 12 people who entered using stolen passports like Paris attackers
German authorities have launched a manhunt for 12 people who entered the country using fake Syrian passports and then disappeared. Published December 24, 2015
U.S. contemplating changes to rules of engagement in Iraq and Syria
National security officials have begun internal talks about whether changes are needed to the U.S. military's "rules of engagement," governing airstrikes over Iraq and Syria, a senior U.S. official told CNN. Published December 24, 2015
Tim Scott rips Obama Gitmo transfers with ”Twas the Night before Christmas’ poem
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott on Wednesday reworked the classic Christmas poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" to blast President Obama for his plans to quickly transfer detainees and close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. Published December 23, 2015
Somalia bans Christmas, New Year’s Eve celebrations amid fears of Islamic terrorism
Somalia's government has banned Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations, warning that such festivities might encourage Islamist attacks. Published December 23, 2015
Milwaukee police: No charges after man shoots older brother outside of restaurant
Police decided not to file charges against a man who fatally shot his brother during an argument outside a Milwaukee restaurant. Published December 23, 2015
New York lawmakers float bill to restrict gun ammo sales
State lawmakers from Brooklyn on Monday introduced new legislation that seeks to greatly restrict the amount of ammo gun owners can purchase in New York. Published December 23, 2015
Anonymous declares cyberwar against Turkey over alleged ISIS support
Hacking collective Anonymous this week claimed responsibility for a series of cyberattacks on Turkey, accusing the country of "supporting" the Islamic State terrorist group in Iraq and Syria and threatening additional attacks if the alleged support continues. Published December 23, 2015
Israeli embassy makes political statement by sending gifts to White House from settlements
Israel's ambassador decided this year to make a political statement about his nation's sovereignty with holiday gifts made in occupied territories. Published December 23, 2015
Adrianna Vorderbruggen, lesbian Air Force officer, killed in Afghanistan bombing
One of the first openly gay, female service members to marry was identified on Tuesday as one of the six U.S. troops killed by a suicide bomber near Bagram air base in Afghanistan. Published December 22, 2015
French authorities thwart terror attack targeting police, military
French authorities foiled a planned terror attack meant to target police and military in the city of Orleans, south of Paris, the French interior minister revealed Tuesday. Published December 22, 2015
Secret Service agent’s gun, badge stolen from car near White House
A Secret Service agent's gun, badge, radio, handcuffs and flash drive were stolen from his personal car parked near the agency's headquarters in Washington, CNN reported. Published December 22, 2015
Franklin Graham quits GOP over Planned Parenthood funding
The Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham, announced he is leaving the Republican Party after the GOP-led Congress passed a budget last week that continues funding for Planned Parenthood. Published December 22, 2015
