Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Obama costume leads Kentucky company to order diversity training
Note to Halloween celebrants: Don't wear the Obama costume. Doing so at work could lead the human resources department to mandate all employees take part in diversity training — which is what happened at a Kentucky medical center this week. Published October 31, 2013
New Yorkers rebel at ‘ridiculous’ new age limit, 21, to buy tobacco
New York City Council members voted late Wednesday evening to raise the age of those wishing to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21 — but not all are on board with the new regulation, which now goes to Mayor Michael Bloomberg for signature. Published October 31, 2013
Kathleen Sebelius: ‘Men often do need maternity care’
One North Carolina congresswoman explained the biology of birth to the Health and Human Services secretary Wednesday during a humorous moment at a hearing on the botched Obamacare rollout. Published October 31, 2013
Popes under surveillance? U.S. accused of tapping Vatican
A new report from Italy has accused the United States of wiretapping the future Pope Francis and eavesdropping on cardinals and other Catholic Church officials in the Vatican. Published October 31, 2013
ICE uncovers ‘highly sophisticated’ drug tunnel from Tijuana to San Diego
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents said they’ve uncovered — and closed down — a massive and just-built drug-running tunnel that joins Tijuana, Mexico, to San Diego. Published October 31, 2013
Syria destroys chemical weapon capabilities ahead of schedule
A nuclear weapons watchdog group said Thursday that Syria has destroyed its capability to produce chemical weapons, in accordance with an international agreement and ahead of schedule. Published October 31, 2013
You’re fired: SpongeBob SquarePants gets taste of economy
Even the cartoon world can't hide from economic reality. The sluggish job market has drifted downward — all the way to the bottom of the ocean, to Bikini Bottom and the Krusty Krab burger shack, where SpongeBob SquarePants has flipped krabby patties for 14 years. Published October 31, 2013
China demands U.S. explain new spy charges at Australian embassies
China — no small player in the spy front itself — has nonetheless issued a stark demand to the United States over new allegations that surfaced Thursday regarding U.S. surveillance operations in Australia. Published October 31, 2013
Qatar orders soccer star’s statue removed for anti-Islamic pose
Qatar authorities have ordered the removal of a 16-foot bronze statue of a soccer star because the pose — a famous headbutt — was deemed in poor taste and the subject matter in violation of Islamic law. Published October 31, 2013
Facebook to track how users hover their cursors
Facebook executives say they have new technology to track how long users pause over certain spots on the site and they’re testing the data collection technique now, saying it could help advertisers more efficiently target customers. Published October 31, 2013
Janet Napolitano pledges $5M for illegal immigrants at California college
Janet Napolitano, the president of the University of California, announced this week the college would give out $5 million for illegal immigrants to obtain special counseling and financial aid. Published October 31, 2013
New York, new ban: City mulls age 21 law for tobacco buyers
If at least one New York City lawmaker has her way, nobody in the city will be able to buy cigarettes without first proving they’re age 21. Published October 30, 2013
Kanye West jabs Michelle Obama’s social media presence as subpar
Kanye West sent a gentle slap-down first lady Michelle Obama's way, commenting how his fiancee Kim Kardashian is so much better at drawing attention on social media. Published October 30, 2013
Pope Francis makes a friend: ‘The boy in yellow’ upstages Vatican speech
Pope Francis has made a new friend — a young boy dressed in yellow who climbed the Vatican stage and wandered about the pontiff’s robes for a time, paying little heed to the thousands who filled the square at St. Peter’s to hear the latest Catholic Church address. Published October 30, 2013
Russian President Vladimir Putin vows open-arm embrace of gays at Olympics
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed that despite his recently signed ban against gays promoting their sexuality to minors, he would welcome gays to Sochi in the Winter Olympics and preserve their rights for equal treatment. Published October 30, 2013
Quid pro quo: Airports, airlines ‘pamper’ Congress to keep regulation at bay
The average flier may have to pay costly parking rates and pricey flight cancellation fees — but not so for congressional members. Published October 30, 2013
Las Vegas makes bid for 2016 Republican convention
It may seem far in the future, but Nevada authorities already have put in their bid to bring the 2016 Republican National Convention to Las Vegas. Published October 30, 2013
O.J. Simpson’s $500K home heads to auction block
While O.J. Simpson sits in jail, his lavish Florida home is set to hit the auction block Wednesday with a current appraised value of nearly $500,000. Published October 30, 2013
Joe Biden’s niece sports black eye during court hearing for hitting cop
Caroline Biden, the niece of Vice President Joseph R. Biden, arrived at a Manhattan court for the charge of hitting a police officer wearing a black dress, black heels – and a black eye. Published October 30, 2013
Putin unseats Obama on Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful list
The votes are in and Forbes has the tally: Topping its list of World's Most Powerful People this year is Russia President Vladimir Putin — not President Obama. Published October 30, 2013
