Jessica Chasmar

‘Curb Appeal’ co-host Bill Beckwith dies in motorcycle accident

Bill Beckwith, a co-host of the HGTV show "Curb Appeal," was killed Monday night in a motorcycle accident in San Francisco. Published December 3, 2013

Obama campaign group launches Sandy Hook anniversary events for gun control

Organizing for Action, the successor of President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign, is encouraging his supporters to host anniversary events to mark one year since 20 schoolchildren and 6 women were murdered at a Newton, Conn., elementary school. Published December 3, 2013

‘Duck Dynasty’ characters sparked baby name trend for 2013

Some of the biggest baby names of 2013 were inspired by the reality stars on A&E's "Duck Dynasty," the Daily Mail reported. Published December 3, 2013

NYC rabbi teaches karate to help Jews combat ‘knockout’ thugs

A New York City cop-turned-rabbi is using his seventh-degree black belt to teach vulnerable Jews in the area karate in light of the wave of knockout attacks on Jews in the city. Published December 3, 2013

62 percent of HIV-positive gay men have unprotected sex: CDC

A report by the Centers for Disease Control released last week found that 62 percent of American men who are knowingly HIV-positive said they have had unprotected sex with a man in the last year. Published December 3, 2013

French investigators rule out Yasser Arafat poisoning

A team of French investigators have ruled out the possibility that deceased Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was poisoned, contrary to a previous report by Swiss scientists that said tests on his body showed "unexpected high activity" of polonium. Published December 3, 2013

Nativity scene will be displayed at Florida Capitol

Some of those who fear a war on Christmas will be pleased to learn that a nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus will be displayed at Florida's Capitol in Tallahassee on Tuesday and will remain throughout the Christmas season. Published December 3, 2013

Billy Joel becomes Madison Square Garden’s first musical franchise

Madison Square Garden and Billy Joel on Tuesday made a "historic announcement" that the legendary performer will be playing a monthly show at the arena indefinitely. Published December 3, 2013

‘Wheel of Fortune’ apologizes for ‘Fast and the Furious’ puzzle after Paul Walker’s death

"Wheel of Fortune" aired an episode Monday night that featured a puzzle with the answer "The Fast and the Furious," just two days after the movie franchise's star, Paul Walker, died in a fiery car wreck. Published December 3, 2013

Toys R Us in Times Square to stay open for 566 straight hours

The Toys R Us store in New York City's Times Square has announced that it will stay open for 566 straight hours until 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Published December 2, 2013

First fatal shooting by police reported in Iceland

A gunman was killed in a shootout with police in Iceland Monday morning, becoming the country's first fatal shooting by a police officer. Published December 2, 2013

‘Freedom Ship’: Florida firm wants to build $10 billion floating city

A Florida-based company has decided to proceed with plans to build a $10 billion floating city called "Freedom Ship," which would be home to at least 25,000 people. Published December 2, 2013

Female CEO of Archie Comics in harassment suit: White males aren’t protected class

The female CEO of Archie Comics accused by five employees of being sexually inappropriate said she can't possibly be guilty of harassment, since the people lodging complaints against her are all white men. Published December 2, 2013

California officials order residents to remove Christmas lights display

Residents of a neighborhood in Orange County, Calif., are outraged after local officials ordered them to remove an intricate Christmas lights display from their street, a tradition they've been participating in for years. Published December 2, 2013

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg golfs through Bronx train tragedy

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was golfing in Bermuda on Sunday while Gov. Andrew Cuomo and local officials rushed to the scene of a deadly train derailment in the Bronx, the Wall Street Journal reported. Published December 2, 2013

Female Saudi activists arrested for driving

Two female activists were arrested and detained in Saudi Arabia on Friday after being caught behind the wheel in Riyadh. Published December 2, 2013

Passenger with possible TB infection pulled from US Airways flight

Passengers aboard a US Airways flight were advised to get tested for tuberculosis after they landed in a Phoenix airport Saturday night because of a sick man on board. Published December 2, 2013

Clown troupe brings smiles to Syrian refugee children

Children at a Syrian refugee camp got a rare surprise on Sunday when a troupe of Spanish clowns came to give them some much needed laughs. Published December 1, 2013

Croatians vote against gay marriage

Croatian voters decided on Sunday to amend to the country's constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage, partial results showed. Published December 1, 2013