Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Sebelius not running for Senate, HHS confirms: Report
Despite rumors in Democratic circles, departing Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is not considering a Senate run out of Kansas, an agency spokesman told the Associated Press. Published April 18, 2014
Red fox makes a home for himself at the White House: Report
Watch out, Bo and Sunny, there's a new pet — well kind of — at the White House. Published April 18, 2014
7.5-magnitude earthquake shakes southern Mexico
An earthquake of an estimated 7.5 magnitude hit southern Mexico on Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Published April 18, 2014
Sen. Joe Manchin keeps his options open for 2016
Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is keeping his political options open for 2016, even though his Senate term would not end for another two years, according to the Charleston Gazette. Published April 18, 2014
Many Americans would quickly face financial hardship after losing job, poll shows
Many Americans would quickly face financial hardship if they lost their job, a Gallup poll said. Published April 18, 2014
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford thanks supporters at re-election campaign bash
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford kicked off his re-election bid Thursday night by thanking his supporters for standing by him during the "rocky moments over the past year," the Toronto Star said. Published April 18, 2014
Publisher unveils Hillary Clinton’s new memoir — ‘Hard Choices’
Hillary Clinton's upcoming memoir about her time as secretary of state now has a title — "Hard Choices." Published April 18, 2014
Obama taunts GOP, takes nationally televised victory lap on Obamacare
President Obama openly rebuked Republicans for their continued assault on his health care law in a televised victory lap Thursday, pointing to new data that show 8 million Americans have selected a private health plan through online exchanges and that millions more will be covered by Medicaid or their parents' insurance because of his overhaul. Published April 17, 2014
Rep. Nita Lowey urges Kerry to protect Jewish people of Ukraine
Citing "highly alarming press reports" from eastern Ukraine, Rep. Nita Lowey asked Secretary of State John Kerry to protect Jewish citizens in Donestk who are reportedly being ordered to "register" with pro-Russian militants. Published April 17, 2014
Covered California reports more than 200K in overtime Obamacare sign-ups
Covered California said Thursday more than 200,000 consumers selected private health plans on its Obamacare exchange from April 1 to the April 15 deadline, bringing the total number of sign-ups on the state-run health exchange to nearly 1.4 million. Published April 17, 2014
Sarah Palin to campaign for Senate candidate Ben Sasse in Nebraska
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will rally this month with Ben Sasse in support of his bid to stave off GOP primary challenger Osborn next month and replace retiring Republican Sen. Mike Johanns next year, the Sasse campaign said Thursday. Published April 17, 2014
Putin: No plans to invade Alaska; too cold, he says
Russian President Vladimir Putin may be making inroads into eastern Ukraine, but he does not plan to replicate the incursion far to the east, in Alaska, because his country has enough cold land, according to mashable.com. Published April 17, 2014
Producers eye Capitol Hill for latest reality TV hit
The Real Housewives of D.C. didn't really work out, but could Capitol Hill be the key to reality TV success? Published April 17, 2014
Putin to Snowden: We don’t collect droves of data on everyone like the U.S.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said his country conducts surveillance with court permission on "specific citizens" but does not collect bulk surveillance data on its people, comments of note because of who was asking — Edward Snowden. Published April 17, 2014
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s re-election launch party will be ‘history in the making,’ brother says
Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will kick off his re-election bid Thursday with an event that will be "history in the making," his brother and campaign manager said, promising free swag and for-sale memorabilia that cashes in on the mayor's odd fame, the Globe and Mail said. Published April 17, 2014
Louisiana group hits back at Sen. Mary Landrieu campaign ad with ‘Actress Mary’ spot
A group called Keep Louisiana Working released a television ad titled "Actress Mary" on Thursday to call out Sen. Mary Landrieu for recreating comments from a Senate hearing so she could use them in a 60-second campaign spot. Published April 17, 2014
Uninsured rates lower in states that embraced Obamacare
A survey released Wednesday says the uninsured rate has declined more significantly in states that fully embraced Obamacare than in states that did not, a finding that, while unsurprising, could buoy Democrats in the short-term as they work to overcome the health law's rocky rollout and retain vulnerable Senate seats this fall. Published April 16, 2014
Pelosi to speak at Bard commencement, Bachmann at Oral Roberts
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will deliver the commencement address May 24 at Bard College, a liberal arts school nestled in the Hudson Valley about 100 miles north of New York City. Published April 16, 2014
Minnesota the latest to employ Deloitte to fix Obamacare tech issues
Minnesota has inked a contract with Deloitte to stabilize and manage its Obamacare exchange as it prepares for the second round of enrollment this fall, joining a growing list of states that have decided to turn to the consulting company in hopes of turning around its tech fortunes. Published April 16, 2014
Law firm that cleared N.J. Gov. Christie in ‘Bridgegate’ gave 10K to RGA, which he heads
The firm that performed an in-house review of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's possible involvement in the George Washington Bridge scandal donated $10,000 to the Republican Governor's Association, which Mr. Christie heads, nine days before its lawyers issued a report that cleared the governor, according to a new report. Published April 16, 2014
