Jessica Chasmar

Man charged with slapping toddler now out of a job

An Idaho man is out of a job after he was charged with slapping a toddler on a flight earlier this month. Published February 18, 2013

Tea party group launches campaign to woo Hispanics

The Tea Party Express, the country's largest tea party PAC, is launching its own Hispanic outreach campaign, according to the group's co-founder. Published February 18, 2013

Coast Guard: Fuel leak caused fire on Carnival Triumph

The engine room fire aboard the Carnival Triumph was caused by a leak in a fuel oil return line, a Coast Guard official confirmed Monday. Published February 18, 2013

Philadelphia pays $7 million in unemployment benefits to inmates over 18-week period

Philadelphia prison inmates received an average of $344 a week over 18 weeks — totaling $7 million — in unemployment benefits, the Philadelphia Daily News reported Monday. Published February 18, 2013

Alec Baldwin: Actor accused of calling black N.Y. Post photographer ‘crackhead,’ ‘drug dealer’

Alec Baldwin allegedly called a New York Post photographer a "crackhead" and a "drug dealer" after the two had a confrontation Monday morning outside of the actor's apartment. Published February 18, 2013

Burger King’s Twitter profile hacked by McDonald’s fan

Burger King's Twitter profile was hacked Monday afternoon by an apparent McDonald's enthusiast. Published February 18, 2013

Nonprofit likens sugary soda to a ‘ruthlessly efficient bioweapon’

The nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest issued a press release last week comparing sugary soda, such as Pepsi, to a "ruthlessly efficient bioweapon." Published February 18, 2013

Gun dealers report ammo shortages

Gun shops are experiencing ammunition shortages amid a surge in consumers fretting possible federal gun control legislation. Published February 18, 2013

Chicago teen fatally shot hours after sister sat onstage behind Obama

A Chicago teenager was fatally shot Friday night just hours after her younger sister sat onstage behind President Obama as he spoke about gun violence. Published February 17, 2013

Carnival hit with first lawsuit after ‘cruise from hell’

Less than 24 hours after the notorious Carnival Triumph docked in Mobile, Ala., Cassie Terry slapped Carnival Cruise Lines with its first lawsuit, citing "horrifying" conditions. Published February 17, 2013

Tiger Woods, Obama tee it up for secluded round of golf

In a first, President Obama and famed golfer Tiger Woods hit the links together Sunday in Palm City, Fla., the White House says. Published February 17, 2013

Mississippi bill could lead to prayer in schools

Supporters of a Mississippi bill that would legalize school prayer say the measure would ensure religious liberty. Published February 17, 2013

Firearms maker pulls business from N.Y. after new gun law

A Washington-state-based firearms manufacturer has announced that it no longer will be doing business with New York law enforcement, in response to the state's sweeping new gun laws on private citizens. Published February 17, 2013

Ga. teacher suspended for school-shooting simulation

A Georgia teacher has been suspended for pretending to shoot first-graders in a game made to represent a school shooting. Published February 17, 2013

Iran bans Buddha

An Iranian newspaper is reporting that authorities are confiscating Buddha statues from shops in Tehran in efforts to halt the "cultural invasion" of Buddhism throughout the country. Published February 17, 2013

Four Christians arrested in Benghazi

Four foreigners have been arrested in Benghazi, Libya, on suspicion of printing Christian books and attempting to spread the word of Christianity. Published February 17, 2013

Bloomberg to dump $2M into Chicago race to defeat gun advocate Halvorson

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has taken the gun fight to Chicago and is poised to spend $2 million in an attempt to defeat former Rep. Debbie Halvorson in her bid for the U.S. House seat vacated by disgraced Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. Published February 17, 2013