Jessica Chasmar
Articles by Jessica Chasmar
N.C. bill asserts state’s right to declare an official religion
North Carolina Republicans introduced a bill Tuesday that would basically give the state freedom to declare its own official religion. Published April 3, 2013
Phoenix acquatics department uses affirmative action program for lifeguards
In an effort to diversify its ranks, the Phoenix aquatics department has spent over $15,000 in the past two years training and certifying minority lifeguards. Published April 3, 2013
Mike Tyson teams up with Sen. Reid on Jack Johnson pardon petition
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson found a friend in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Tuesday, as the pair urged the president to posthumously pardon heavyweight champion Jack Johnson of what Reid called "a racially motivated criminal conviction." Published April 3, 2013
Carnival Triumph breaks loose from dock; one person pulled from water
Strong winds caused the infamous Carnival Triumph to break loose from its moorings Wednesday afternoon while it was being repaired in Alabama. Published April 3, 2013
China finds more cases of bird flu previously not seen in humans
China has found two more cases of a deadly strain of bird flu not previously found in humans, bringing the number of known cases to nine. Published April 3, 2013
8-year-old Tenn. girl suspended from school 7 times for body odor
An 8-year-old Tennessee girl has missed 24 days of school so far this year, all because she keeps getting sent home because of her foul odor. Published April 3, 2013
N.C. vote paves the way for food stamp applicant background checks
The House Health and Human Services Committee in North Carolina voted Tuesday to require mandatory background checks for people seeking welfare and food stamp benefits. Published April 3, 2013
Actor-comedian Jim Carrey sheds light on his gun-control comments
In a Huffington Post blog post Tuesday night, Jim Carrey made an effort to clarify his gun-control remarks that have caused such a firestorm on social media recently. Published April 3, 2013
Indian students create electrified bra to deter rapists
Amid a wave of gang rape attacks, a team of Indian engineering students have invented a bra that shocks anyone who touches it from the outside. Published April 3, 2013
Obamas to welcome Justin Timberlake, musical stars for ‘Memphis Soul’ concert
As part of their "In Performance at the White House" series, the Obamas have invited Justin Timberlake, Al Green, Queen Latifah and many others to perform at the White House next week in a "Memphis Soul" concert, the White House announced today. Published April 3, 2013
Poet Maya Angelou: ‘I do like to have guns around’
In an interview with Time Magazine, famous poet and Obama supporter Maya Angelou recalled a time in her life when she fired a gun to scare off an intruder. Published April 3, 2013
Ohio school takes down Jesus portrait, up since 1947
Some legal persuasion by the American Civil Liberties Union has prompted a southern Ohio school district to take down a Jesus portrait that has been up since 1947. Published April 3, 2013
Bill Maher to Jimmy Kimmel: Bloomberg’s soda ban ‘gives liberals a bad name’
Comedian Bill Maher appeared on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Tuesday night, and he had some choice words for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his controversial soda ban. "I think it gives liberals a bad name. I really do," the HBO show host said. Published April 3, 2013
MSNBC adds former DNC spokeswoman Karen Finney to weekend lineup
Among its recent announcement to shake things up with an Ed Schultz weekend show, MSNBC revealed Tuesday that it is hiring former Democratic National Committee spokesperson Karen Finney to host a new show on weekends from 4-5 p.m. Eastern. Published April 2, 2013
Jane Nebel Henson, wife of late Muppets creator Jim Henson, dies at 79
Jane Nebel Henson — who was married to the late Muppets creator Jim Henson and played an integral role in creating the various puppets — died Tuesday morning, a representative for the Jim Henson Company said. She was 79. Published April 2, 2013
Gov. Christie signs ‘Tan Mom Law’; N.J. kids banned from commercial tanning
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a bill into law Monday that bans minor from using commercial tanning beds. Published April 2, 2013
Cantor: $100 million from presidential campaigns should go to curing childhood diseases
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has proposed that the nearly $100 million taxpayers spend on presidential campaigns would be better spent on fighting autism and other childhood diseases. Published April 2, 2013
Archaeologists discover ‘gate to Hell’ in Turkey
A "gate to Hell" has emerged, spewing lethal mephitic vapors from ruins in southwestern Turkey, Italian archaeologists have announced. Published April 2, 2013
Saudi ‘eye-for-an-eye’ ruling demands man who broke friend’s back be paralyzed
A Saudi court has ruled that a man who paralysed his best friend 10 years ago should now have his spinal cord severed in an "eye-for-an-eye" ruling. Published April 2, 2013
Texas town locks down schools, conducts massive manhunt after jailbreak
Schools in an East Texas town are on lockdown after two prisoners escaped jail Tuesday morning, prompting a massive manhunt for the suspects police are considering very dangerous. Published April 2, 2013
