Jessica Chasmar

Florida police department to use body-mounted cameras

Police in Sarasota, Florida, will begin wearing body-mounted cameras later this year in an effort to increase accountability among officers and residents. Published August 20, 2014

Twitter suspending accounts that show James Foley execution

Twitter is actively suspending accounts that post images or video of the beheading of American journalist James Foley by Islamic State militants. Published August 20, 2014

N.J. police searching for ‘knockout game’ suspect after 3 attacks

Police in North Jersey are searching for a man suspected of punching three victims Monday night in a string of apparent "knockout game" attacks. Published August 20, 2014

Ga. county refuses to pay medical bills after toddler burned by flash grenade in SWAT raid

Habersham County officials in Georgia said they will not pay for the medical expenses incurred by a 19-month-old who was badly burned by a flash grenade during a police raid. Published August 19, 2014

St. Louis police officer fatally shoots robbery suspect

A robbery suspect was killed Tuesday in an officer-involved shooting in St. Louis, just miles from where 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed 10 days earlier. Published August 19, 2014

Chicago cop kills family’s dog while searching for robbery suspect

A Chicago family is outraged after a police officer ran into their backyard and killed their 10-year-old dog while searching for a robbery suspect. Published August 19, 2014

Veteran has himself maced, waterboarded in name of suicide awareness

As thousands of people participate in the "Ice Bucket Challenge" to raise awareness for ALS, one soldier decided to have himself maced and waterboarded in order to bring attention to suicide in the military. Published August 19, 2014

Liberal activists set up voter registration booth where Michael Brown was killed

The Rev. Jesse Jackson and liberal organizers are coordinating efforts to register voters in Ferguson, Missouri, setting up voting booths in the area as rioting and protests continue in the aftermath of Michael Brown's death. Published August 19, 2014

Iowa teen’s eye donation rejected after suicide because he was gay

The eye donation from a 16-year-old boy who killed himself last year was reportedly rejected because he was gay. Published August 18, 2014

Ben Carson challenges Al Sharpton to debate

Dr. Ben Carson said Monday that a previous offer to publicly debate the Rev. Al Sharpton on quelling violence still stands. Published August 18, 2014

Calif. protesters block Israel-owned ship at Port of Oakland

Pro-Palestinian activists for the second day blocked an Israeli-owned ship from docking at the Port of Oakland in a protest against Israel's military action in Gaza. Published August 18, 2014

Woman kicked in face after breaking into giraffe exhibit

A California woman was cited by police after she climbed into a giraffe's pen at a Wisconsin zoo and it kicked her in the face. Published August 17, 2014

Owner reunited with dog eight years after it was stolen

A Phoenix woman is elated after her dog was found eight years after it was stolen from her Memphis backyard. Published August 17, 2014

Chadian troops rescue 85 Nigerian hostages from Boko Haram

Chadian troops have rescued 85 Nigerians kidnapped Monday by Boko Haram militants, CNN sources in Nigeria said Saturday. Published August 17, 2014

New Hampshire issues state of emergency over synthetic marijuana

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan has issued a state of emergency in response to 44 reported overdoses linked to "Smacked," a synthetic marijuana that is legal to sell in the state as potpourri. Published August 17, 2014

Thousands of marijuana plants found in public California park

Thousands of marijuana plants were found growing in a public park in upscale Laguna Beach, California, police said. Published August 17, 2014

Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki stepping down for al-Abadi

Embattled Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is giving up his position to Haider al-Abadi, according to Iraqi state TV. Published August 14, 2014

Rand Paul blasts big government for police militarization in Ferguson

Sen. Rand Paul penned an editorial piece on Thursday, blaming big government for incentivizing local police forces to snatch up surplus military equipment, and causing what he says is excessive police force on protesters in Ferguson, Missouri. Published August 14, 2014

Robin Williams was in early stages of Parkinson’s disease, widow says

Robin Williams was in the early stages of Parkinson's disease at the time of his apparent suicide, his wife said in a statement Thursday. Published August 14, 2014

Democrat plans police anti-militarization bill amid Ferguson violence

Rep. Hank Johnson plans to introduce legislation that would "end the free transfers" of military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, in the wake to the use of heightened police force in a St. Louis suburb rocked by the shooting death of an unarmed teen. Published August 14, 2014