Kellan Howell
Articles by Kellan Howell
Yelp can keep negative reviewers’ IDs private, Va. Supreme Court rules
The Virginia Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a judge's decision to force California-based website Yelp to turn over the names of users who wrote negative reviews of a Virginia carpet cleaning business. Published April 16, 2015
Wal-Mart beats church in court battle over gun sales
A federal appeals court has ruled that Wal-Mart's investors did not have the right to challenge the company's sales policies on guns and any other item shareholders may think socially offensive, slapping down a previous ruling from a judge appointed by President Obama. Published April 15, 2015
Wal-Mart wins gun-sales case against investors who want to bar such purchases
An appeals court ruled Tuesday that Wal-Mart investors don't have a right to try to stop the company from selling rifles or any other product those shareholders may think is socially destructive. Published April 14, 2015
NASCAR fans target of ‘Rev the Vote’ campaign; could increase Republican voter turnout
A new nonprofit is hoping to rev up motor sports fans to participate in campaigns and elections, seeking partnerships with racing giants like NASCAR and support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in an effort that political strategists say could increase GOP voter turnout. Published April 12, 2015
Will Stack’s S.C. traffic stop video goes viral: ‘There are good cops out there’
A video of a young black man recounting his experience with a white police officer during a traffic stop is going viral on social media in the wake of more outrage over the shooting of an unarmed black man in South Carolina. Published April 11, 2015
China accuses Obama of hypocrisy on South China Sea remarks
China accused the U.S. of hypocrisy on Friday after President Obama said China is using its "sheer size and muscle" to intimidate other nations in the South China Sea. Published April 11, 2015
China: U.S. to help hunt down ‘economic fugitives’
The United State has agreed to work with China to hunt down corrupt Chinese officials fleeing abroad, the official Xinhua news agency reported Friday. Published April 11, 2015
Obama rainbow wave tweet backfires: ‘Holy propaganda, Batman’
A White House tweet with photo of President Barack Obama perfectly aligned with a rainbow backfired on Friday, meeting a wave of sarcastic replies on social media. Published April 11, 2015
Christian family band in giant Wal-Mart parking lot brawl; 1 killed, cop shot
Police released footage on Friday of a huge brawl in an Arizona Wal-Mart parking lot involving members of a Christian family band and several officers. The altercation left one suspect dead and an officer shot in the leg. Published April 11, 2015
Marines Infantry Officer Course experiment ends with zero women passing course
The Marine Corps' historic experiment to allow women to take part in its Infantry Officer Course ended with zero female graduates. Published April 11, 2015
Eric Holder sends DOJ staff reminder memo: Paying for sex is not allowed
Outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder issued a memo to Department of Justice staff on Friday kindly reminding them not to engage in illegal sexual activity with prostitutes. Published April 11, 2015
Pope Francis rejects France’s gay ambassador to the Vatican: report
Pope Francis has been touted has one of the most progressive Vatican leaders, but the head of the Catholic church is sticking to conservative doctrine by reportedly rejecting France's new ambassador, Laurent Stefanini, who is openly gay. Published April 10, 2015
Wal-Mart’s right to sell guns at risk in lawsuit
Wal-Mart, the nation's largest gun retailer, is awaiting a verdict Wednesday to see whether it can continue to sell modern sporting rifles if enough investors think it's a business the company shouldn't be in. Published April 7, 2015
Lethal stun gun disguised as iPhone floods black market, popular with U.K. criminals
Police in the United Kingdom are worried about the latest lethal weapon making waves on the black market, a powerful stun gun disguised as an iPhone. Published April 4, 2015
Lucille Ball statue freaks out hometown; residents want ‘monster’ replaced or removed
Residents of Lucille Ball's hometown in upstate New York town are organizing fundraisers to remove a "frightening" looking bronze statue of the "I Love Lucy" actress. Published April 4, 2015
State Dept. program will fly in Central American immigrant children to U.S.
A new State Department and Department of Homeland Security Program will fly immigrant children from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador to their parents in the U.S. for free. Published April 4, 2015
Al-Shabaab threatens ‘another bloodbath’ in Kenya
Somali militants vowed on Saturday to state "another bloodbath" in Kenya after the Islamic extremists killed nearly 150 people during a raid at a Kenyan university. Published April 4, 2015
Sarah Thomas makes NFL history as league’s first female official
The NFL is hiring Sarah Thomas as its first female official, along with seven other male officials for the 2015 season. Published April 4, 2015
Kansas approves concealed carry without a permit: ‘It is a constitutional right’
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback on Thursday signed a bill allowing Kansans to carry concealed weapons without a permits or training starting this summer. Published April 4, 2015
Paris kosher market hostages sue French news channel for live coverage
Six of the hostages who survived the siege of a Paris kosher market in January are suing a French media outlet for broadcasting their hiding spot during live coverage of the crisis. Published April 3, 2015