Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Beagle trained to sniff out polar bear pregnancies at Ohio zoo
Forget the pregnancy stick. A 2-year-old beagle named Elvis underwent a year’s worth of special training to sniff out pregnancies among the threatened polar species. Published November 4, 2013
Japanese paper lanterns face state bans at hands of firefighters
One of the Japanese community’s most revered celebratory traditions, the lighting and floating of paper sky lanterns, faces a doomed fate as a national organization of firefighters says they’re too dangerous and should be banned.One of the Japanese community's most revered celebratory traditions, the lighting and floating of paper sky lanterns, faces a doomed fate as a national organization of firefighters says they're too dangerous and should be banned. Published November 4, 2013
Latest Rand Paul plagiarism claim is ‘witch hunt,’ aide says
Sen. Rand Paul is fighting charges that entire sections of his book, “Government Bullies,” were taken and reprinted, word for word, from a study from The Heritage Foundation. Published November 4, 2013
LGBT activist blasts Obama for failed leadership
President Obama may have just pushed for quick congressional action for a ban on workplace discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, but not all LGBT activists are enamored with his action. Published November 4, 2013
Iranians flock by thousands to U.S. Embassy for anti-America protests
Tens of thousands of protesters converged MOnday at the U.S. Embassy in Iran, calling for “death to America” in what’s shaping to be the largest anti-American gathering in the nation in years. Published November 4, 2013
Canadian imam counsels that a woman needs husband’s OK to speak
A Muslim cleric operating in Toronto with a radical speaking past is now counseling that women ought to obtain permission from their husbands before talking. Published November 4, 2013
NYU student, 19, recovering from 2-day wedge between walls
A 19-year-old New York University student who was wedged in the walls separating two buildings for two days is recovering, but in serious condition at a nearby hospital, authorities said Monday. Published November 4, 2013
Venezuela quietly seizes control of U.S. oil rigs
Venezuela recently and quietly took control of two Texas-owned oil rigs that that had been closed, sitting idle, due to a failure to make payments. Published November 4, 2013
Nancy Pelosi goes on the defense: Obama’s a man of ‘great vision’
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi launched a defense of President Obama this weekend, telling Sunday talk-show hosts that she can't understand why Mitt Romney would accuse the leader of dishonesty because he's such a man of vision. Published November 4, 2013
Toronto mayor at heart of crack scandal says sorry for ‘stupid things’
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who's accused of smoking crack cocaine, said he's sorry for his mistakes, but he's not resigning, despite the fact police have said they have a video that could show him using the illegal drug. Published November 4, 2013
Abraham Lincoln a Democrat? Northeastern Illinois Univ. says so
Twitter posters were up in arms after a follower posted a picture of a building affiliated with Northeastern Illinois University that includes a plaque honoring the nation's 16th president — as a Democrat. Published November 4, 2013
Alligator caught slithering around Chicago airport
Authorities at Chicago O’Hare International Airport first did a double-take – and then radioed for help. An alligator was stalking around the terminal, hiding beneath an escalator. Published November 4, 2013
White House sides with town in Christian prayer case
When it comes to this week’s Supreme Court case over a Greece, N.Y., community that faced fire for opening government meetings with Christian prayers, the White House is siding with the town, citing judicial precedent and tradition. Published November 4, 2013
Anonymous Indonesia hacks 170 Australian websites over spy claims
A website hacking group, Anonymous Indonesia, claimed to have broken into 170-plus Internet sites affiliated with Australian businesses and organizations in retaliation for reports of government spying with American intelligence. Published November 4, 2013
Obama brag, in new book: I’m ‘really good at killing people’ with drones
President Obama was overheard bragging to administration aides about his ability to kill people with drones, a new book about the 2012 campaign season that's due for release on Tuesday claimed. Published November 4, 2013
Mohammed Morsi trial adjourned over chaos in courtroom
Former President Mohammed Morsi's trial on charges that he incited violence that led to killings in the streets of Cairo at the tail end of his rule was delayed by two hours Monday and then quickly adjourned. Published November 4, 2013
Muslim Brotherhood caught using puppies as fire bombs
A pet rescue operation has saved three puppies from Muslim Brotherhood clutches, after discovering the militant members were dousing the animals with gasoline, setting them on fire and throwing them into the chaos of a Tahrir Square demonstration, as makeshift bombs. Published November 1, 2013
Obama, White House raise press hackles for controlling media
Editors of the wire news service, The Associated Press, are decrying the president’s refusal to grant free and easy access for photographers, characterizing his insistence on circulating press release pictures that are snapped in a controlled setting as overkill. Published November 1, 2013
TSA agent killed as gunman opens fire at Los Angeles airport
A Transportation Security Administration was killed during a shooting rampage inside Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, authorities said. Published November 1, 2013
Melissa Joan Hart recounts pro-Romney reveal: I was ‘the devil’
When Hollywood actress Melissa Joan Hart revealed her support for Mitt Romney for president in November 2012, she went from beloved starlet to pariah, in a single night, she said this week. Published November 1, 2013
