Jessica Chasmar

California legislature approves ban on plastic bags

The California State Legislature on Friday passed a statewide ban on plastic grocery bags — a first of its kind in the country if Gov. Jerry Brown signs it into law. Published August 31, 2014

Federal study on lesbian obesity costs $3 million

A federal study to determine why 75 percent of lesbian women are obese and gay men are not has totaled nearly $3 million. Published August 31, 2014

Elderly couple, disabled adult children shot to death in Chicago-area home

An elderly couple and their two severely disabled adult children were found shot to death inside their home about 18 miles west of Chicago, police said Sunday. Published August 31, 2014

Islamists throw pool party at U.S. Embassy compound in Libya

Islamists who gained control of a U.S. Embassy residential compound in Libya last week posted a video online of the men throwing a spring break-like pool party at the property. Published August 31, 2014

Okla. cop charged with assaulting 8 black women; NAACP seeks hate crime charges

An Oklahoma City police officer was charged Friday with raping or sexually abusing eight black women, and the NAACP is asking the U.S. Justice Department to file hate crime charges. Published August 31, 2014

White House responds to Tahmooressi petition: ‘We respect the rule of law’

The White House has responded to a popular petition that demands the release of U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi from a Mexican prison, explaining that the Obama administration respects the rule of law and will continue to monitor the situation to make sure the soldier is treated fairly. Published August 31, 2014

Joan Rivers on life support as family nears tough decision

Actress and comedian Joan Rivers is on life support after she went into cardiac and respiratory arrest on Thursday during throat surgery. Published August 31, 2014

Clinton breaks silence on Ferguson, laments racial ‘inequities’

Hillary Clinton broke her silence on the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, on Thursday, arguing Americans "cannot ignore the inequities" in the criminal justice system. Published August 28, 2014

Obama to attend wedding for MSNBC’s Alex Wagner

President Obama is slated to attend the wedding of MSNBC host Alex Wagner and White House special adviser Sam Kass on Saturday in New Rochelle, New York, according to media reports. Published August 28, 2014

American student Aaron Sofer’s body found in Jerusalem forest

A body found in a Jerusalem-area forest is that of American citizen Aaron Sofer, Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Thursday, CNN reported. Published August 28, 2014

Joan Rivers in critical condition; she stopped breathing during surgery

Actress and comedian Joan Rivers is in critical condition after she reportedly stopped breathing during a surgery procedure, police sources told TMZ. Published August 28, 2014

Mass. mayor: Illegals enrolling in public schools have ‘more wrinkles than I have’

The mayor of Lynn, Massachusetts, claims that some of the illegal immigrant children enrolling in her city's schools are not children at all. Published August 28, 2014

St. Louis professors integrate Michael Brown shooting into class curriculums

Several professors in the St. Louis area are revising their class curriculums to integrate discussions about the police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown and the unrest that followed between residents and law enforcement. Published August 28, 2014

Sheriff Arpaio: Islamic State will exploit U.S. border crisis

Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Wednesday that he believes militants with the Islamic State terrorist group will undoubtedly try to exploit the U.S. border crisis to gain access to American soil. Published August 28, 2014

Texas dad not guilty of murdering drunk driver who killed sons

A grieving father has escaped a possible life sentence after a Texas jury found him not guilty in the murder of a drunk driver who killed his two young sons. Published August 27, 2014

‘Sons of Guns’ canceled after Will Hayden’s daughter accuses him of rape

The Discovery Channel has canceled its hit "Sons of Guns" series after reality star Will Hayden was arrested again Wednesday for allegedly raping his 12-year-old daughter. Published August 27, 2014

Giant panda faked pregnancy for extra treats and air conditioning

Giant panda Ai Hin may have pulled the ultimate diva move by faking her pregnancy in order to receive larger food rations and fancier living accommodations. Published August 27, 2014

Calif. town orders police department to get rid of MRAP vehicle

The Davis City Council in California has told its police department that it has 60 days to come up with a plan to get rid of its mine-resistant, ambush protected vehicle, after the city received pressure from local residents who feared their police are becoming too militarized. Published August 27, 2014

Beaten veteran told Miss. eatery ‘not safe for whites,’ witness says

A witness says that the attack on a 32-year-old veteran outside a Mississippi Huddle House may have been racially motivated. Published August 27, 2014

Calif. assemblyman joins protesters outside Gov. Brown’s luncheon for Mexican president

California state assemblyman Tim Donnelly joined protesters outside of Gov. Jerry Brown's mansion on Tuesday during a luncheon honoring Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto. Published August 26, 2014