Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Goodyear tire bosses held captive by angry France plant workers
Employees angry with a Goodyear tire company plan to close a plant in northern France have taken two of their bosses captive, holding them overnight inside the factory and demanding a change of plans. Published January 7, 2014
Marijuana should be legal, 55 percent of Americans say
In a dramatic switch from recent decades, a clear majority of Americans say smoking marijuana on a recreational basis should be legal. Published January 7, 2014
Spain’s Princess Cristina charged with tax fraud, money laundering
Princess Cristina, the younger daughter of King Juan Carlos, was charged with tax fraud and money laundering in a dramatic court ruling that could lead to an unprecedented trial against a royal family member. Published January 7, 2014
Gun ban in Chicago ruled unconstitutional — by Obama-appointed judge
A federal judge appointed by President Obama said Chicago’s ban on the sale and transfer of guns was unconstitutional, overturning the city’s ordinance and handing a very big win to Second Amendment activists. Published January 7, 2014
Three Amtrak trains, stuck in snow, strand 500 riders in Chicago
Three Amtrak trains en route to Chicago have been halted by snow and heavy winds in north-central Illinois, leaving more than 500 passengers stuck and awaiting rescue. Published January 7, 2014
Crop circle mystery demystified: The tech company did it
A 310-foot crop circle in California wasn't the work of aliens after all — it was tech company Nvidia Corp, and it was all for publicity. Published January 6, 2014
California students sue state over ineffective teachers
Nine California students have launched a lawsuit against the state, arguing that current law and entrenched practices they see as pro-union actually short-change the poor and the minority communities on their education. Published January 6, 2014
American Atheists mocks Mormon message with anti-religion billboard
American Atheists in Utah has kicked off a new billboard campaign that plays on the pro-Mormon message of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, asking those with spiritual doubts to consider a new life path — but in a mocking manner. Published January 6, 2014
ADHD a fake disorder, neurologist-turned-author says
Zero: That’s the percent of children suffering from attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, a neurologist said in his new book, “ADHD Does Not Exist: The Truth About Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder.” Published January 6, 2014
New York on cusp of passing pro-marijuana smoking law for patients
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is poised to issue an executive order to legalize medical marijuana for those residents with serious health problems. Published January 6, 2014
Ready for Hillary? Clinton’s rented-out email list ratchets run talk
Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign’s rented out its email list to the new super PAC, Ready for Hillary – and the PAC sent out free bumper sticker promos to her subscribers with a seemingly pro-presidential slogan: “I’m Ready for Hillary.” Published January 6, 2014
Sen. Rand Paul’s Obamacare woe: Son had to go to welfare office, ‘prove his existence’
Sen. Rand Paul said Obamacare has proven a futile effort for his family after his son was dumped into Medicaid — despite his attempt to pay for his plan — and had to physically go to the local welfare office to prove he was alive. Published January 6, 2014
Germany’s Angela Merkel fractures pelvis while skiing
German Chancellor Angela Merkel fractured her pelvis during a ski trip to Switzerland, her spokesman said to reporters in Berlin on Monday. Published January 6, 2014
Pilot reports UFO around London’s Heathrow Airport
The captain of an A320 navigating just west of London’s Heathrow Airport said he was startled when he looked out his cockpit window and saw an unidentified flying object – an object he described as a cigar-shaped metallic object – flying right toward his plane. Published January 6, 2014
Yahoo hit by malware, putting tens of thousands at risk
Yahoo’s advertising server was hit by a malware attack, sending malicious ads out to thousands of users around the world. Published January 6, 2014
Dennis Rodman scrounges up ex-NBA players for North Korea game
It’s game on. Dennis Rodman touched down in Pyongyang on Monday, with 11 fellow former American basketball greats in tow – ending weeks of speculation that he couldn’t get his U.S. teammates to travel to North Korea for an exhibition game. Published January 6, 2014
Super Bowl Sunday sends N.J. into anti-prostitution mode
Police in New Jersey are stepping up their law enforcement efforts against prostitution, hoping to crack down on human trafficking in time for next month’s Super Bowl. Published January 6, 2014
Canada cold: ‘Frost quakes’ driving scared homeowners to call police
It’s so cold in Canada that residents are reporting a phenomenon called “frost quakes” — when the air is so cold and temperatures drop so low that the atmosphere seems to be filled with the sound of gun fire. Published January 6, 2014
Taiwan baby panda makes first public debut
Crowds lined up at the Taipei Zoo in Taipei, Taiwan, on Monday to see the first public appearance of a giant 6-month-old panda. Published January 6, 2014
Pakistan home explosion kills 9, including children
At least nine people, including children, were killed in a Monday explosion at a residence in northwestern Pakistan, in the Khyber tribal area. Published January 6, 2014