Kellan Howell
Articles by Kellan Howell
GOLDEN HAMMER: Amtrak spends millions on fancy high-speed cars, little on basic maintenance
Dozens of federal watchdog reports over the past decade have revealed a culture of financial irresponsibility and mismanagement at Amtrak that has led to billions of wasted taxpayer dollars over the years and may have put travelers at risk. Published May 14, 2015
Philadelphia Amtrak derailment: Train raced at 106 mph into sharp curve
Federal investigators have determined that the Amtrak train that crashed Tuesday night and killed seven people aboard had been traveling at 106 mph into a 50 mph curve that was not equipped with a widespread safety program to limit train speeds, and which a key federal safety official said Wednesday likely would have prevented the crash. Published May 13, 2015
Philadelphia Amtrak derailment: Jason Chaffetz hearing to take up train safety
The Philadelphia Amtrak crash and lingering questions over the railroad's safety will come up at a congressional hearing next week. Published May 13, 2015
FCPS to vote on more gender identity policies, will teach seventh-graders about transgenders
Less than a week after the Fairfax County Public School board voted to include gender identity in its nondiscrimination policy, the school district's Family Life Education (FLE) Committee is moving to add gender identity to its curriculum for grades 7-12, despite reassurances from the school board that the vote would not affect day-to-day school operations. Published May 13, 2015
Hillary Clinton more liberal than Obama as senators
Hillary Clinton had a more liberal voting record than President Barack Obama when they were both senators, bucking pundits views she's the more centrist of the two, according to the American Conservative Union's new annual rating of Congress. Published May 12, 2015
Boston University ‘deeply saddened’ by Saida Grundy’s racially-charged tweets
In response to widespread backlash on social media, Boston University officials are now condemning an incoming professor for racially-charged comments she made on Twitter. Published May 12, 2015
Oxford University rugby team must attend anti-sexism workshop to combat ‘lad culture’
Oxford University Rugby players will not be allowed to compete in the biggest rugby tournament of the season unless they participate in an anti-misogyny workshop as part of a university attempt to combat sexist "lad culture" on campus. Published May 9, 2015
Jeb Bush blasts Obama on religious freedom, calls for stronger ‘Christian voice’ in the world
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush blasted the Obama administration on Saturday for limiting religious freedom. He added that "the Christian voice" isn't heard enough in the world during his commencement speech at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Published May 9, 2015
Coptic Christian teenagers face trial in Egypt for ‘insulting Islam’
Four Egyptian kids and their teacher could face up to five years in jail for making fun of the Islamic State in a video. Published May 9, 2015
Saida Grundy, Boston University professor: White males a ‘problem population’
A newly hired Boston University professor has come under fire for several anti-white comments she made on Twitter, but the school says she is simply practicing free speech. Published May 9, 2015
George Clooney flips on ‘polarizing’ Hillary Clinton, will do ‘whatever she wants’ for campaign
Actor George Clooney, who once called Hillary Clinton "the most polarizing figure in American politics," said Friday that he will help the 2016 Democratic candidate get elected in any way he can. Published May 9, 2015
Bill Maher: Stop the excuses for Muslims who ‘want to live in the 7th’ century
Talk-show host Bill Maher blasted liberals on Friday for making excuses for Islamic extremists, saying he was disturbed by the "soft bigotry of low expectations." Published May 9, 2015
Outraged parents vow to take down school board over gender identity: ‘We will remember in November’
Hundreds of parents and northern Virginia residents were outraged Thursday night when the Fairfax County Public School Board voted 10-1 with one abstaining to amend its nondiscrimination policy to include "gender identity" without consulting the parents and against the wishes of an overwhelming majority of audience members. Published May 8, 2015
School transgender rights bill passes in Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County Public School board members voted 10-1 with one abstaining on Thursday to add "gender identity" to its nondiscrimination policy despite overwhelming opposition from the audience. Published May 7, 2015
Golden Hammer: Congress keeps funding overbudget plutonium site
This week the House approved over $300 million for a Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility at Savannah River in South Carolina as part of U.S. nuclear nonproliferation efforts, despite calls from watchdog groups to gut a program that has fallen far behind schedule, exceeded its budget and has no real customers. Published May 7, 2015
Virginia’s Fairfax County police sued over collecting license plate data
Privacy law experts are watching how a lawsuit over a Northern Virginia police department's collection of license-plate data plays out, saying the case carries implications for similar programs across the country. Published May 6, 2015
Parents try to block Virginia schools’ ‘gender identity’ policy
Concerned parents are trying to block a vote by the Fairfax County Public School Board — which oversees the largest public school system in Virginia — to include "gender identity" in its nondiscrimination policy. Published May 5, 2015
Golden Hammer: House dedicates millions to unneeded missile system
In what some are calling a political power play, Congress moved Thursday to approve the national defense budget that includes millions of dollars for a missile-defense site that Pentagon officials have repeatedly said is unneeded. Published April 30, 2015
13 police officers indicted after participating in undercover drug trafficking scheme
Thirteen current and former law enforcement officers, along with two other individuals, have been arrested and indicted for allegedly participating in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy, the Department of Justice announced Thursday. Published April 30, 2015
Trent Steelman, West Point quarterback, has NFL hopes after fulfilling Army commitment
Former Army quarterback Trent Steelman is hoping to make the NFL draft for the second time this weekend after his military duties kept him from playing with the Baltimore Ravens two years ago. Published April 30, 2015
