Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry thanks Obama, praises responders to chemical plant explosion
Texas Gov. Rick Perry said Thursday he is declaring McLennan County a disaster area and calling for federal relief from President Obama in the wake of a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant that killed up to 15 people and injured scores more. Published April 18, 2013
Ex-Attorney General John Ashcroft: Sloppy rush for info on bombing ‘really complicates things’
John Ashcroft, who served as President George W. Bush's attorney general during pivotal years in the war on terror, said sloppy leaks about the Boston Marathon bombings make it harder for investigators to do their job and retain the public's trust. Published April 18, 2013
Sen. Max Baucus: Health law heading for ‘train wreck’
A Democratic senator who helped write President Obama's health care law stunned administration officials by saying he thinks it's headed for a "train wreck." Published April 17, 2013
Video shows Boston bomb suspect; FBI criticizes media for days of inaccurate reports
After an afternoon in which many in the media incorrectly reported an arrest in Monday's deadly Boston Marathon bombing, investigators acknowledged Wednesday that authorities have captured a video image of a possible suspect from a surveillance camera at a Lord & Taylor department store and TV footage. Published April 17, 2013
Suspicious letter reported in Sen. Carl Levin’s Michigan office
Sen. Carl Levin added his regional office in Saginaw, Mich., to the list of places that must review suspicious-looking letters on Wednesday. Published April 17, 2013
Ex-justice’s wife arrested in Texas prosecutor murders
The wife of a former justice of the peace in Texas has been arrested on accusations linked to the killings of the Kaufman County District Attorney, his wife and an assistant prosecutor, the Dallas Morning News reported this morning. Published April 17, 2013
Third Boston victim was BU student from China
The third victim in the Boston Marathon bombing was a Chinese graduate student at Boston University. Published April 17, 2013
Senate reflects on Boston tragedy, followed by Newtown and Va. Tech, before gun debate
The Senate opened its session on Tuesday with reflections on the tragedy at the Boston Marathon, moments before it began debate on gun-control legislation that evoked the tragedies at Newtown, Conn., in December and Virginia Tech in 2007. Published April 16, 2013
Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick: No unexploded bombs found at Boston Marathon
Only two improvised explosive devices or IEDs, both of which exploded, were discovered yesterday at the scene of the Boston Marathon, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said Tuesday. Published April 16, 2013
All eyes on Boston as everyday life goes forward in the wake of bomb attacks
From the world of sport to finance, people are taking a moment to reflect on the tragedy that befell the Boston Marathon on Monday. Published April 16, 2013
Heartbroken dad of Martin Richard, 8, killed in Boston explosion pleads: ‘pray for my family’
The father of the 8-year-old Boston boy killed in the blasts near the Boston Marathon finish line is asking supporters to "continue to pray for my family as we remember Martin." Published April 16, 2013
Congressmen talk about Boston tragedy, role of government during crisis
Former congressman Barney Frank said Tuesday the horrific events at the Boston Marathon demonstrate the need for a well-prepared government to respond in times of crisis. Published April 16, 2013
Stunned Americans grieve as portraits of Boston Marathon bombing victims emerge
The Neighborhood House Charter School has to bring in counselors for children who will never again see their 8-year-old classmate Martin Richard. The mother of Krystle Campbell, a 29-year-old restaurant manager, said it "doesn't make any sense" that she is gone. And 27-year-old Jeff Bauman Jr. — the man in a widely distributed photo — had to have both lower limbs removed at Boston Medical Center because of extensive vascular and bone damage. Published April 16, 2013
Terror strikes Boston Marathon; twin blasts turn finish line into scene of carnage
With a flash of fire and a pair of deafening blasts, the Boston Marathon disintegrated Monday into a bloody scene of chaos and terror after two bombs went off near the finish line of the iconic race, killing at least three, severing limbs, injuring more than 130 and setting the country on high alert. Published April 15, 2013
On Hill, Sebelius faces GOP doubts over health law
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told skeptical House Republicans on Friday that President Obama's health care law will roll out on time and improve health outcomes, despite limited resources and fears about the overhaul's impact on small businesses. Published April 12, 2013
Treasury chief, House GOP struggle to find common ground
Two top Obama administration officials told Congress on Thursday that the president made significant concessions to Republicans when drafting the budget proposal he released this week, hoping to set the groundwork for a grand bargain. Published April 11, 2013
Proposal seeks funding big boost for IRS to enforce ‘Obamacare’
President Obama's budget proposal seeks a major funding boost to bolster the IRS, which will enforce his health care law's individual mandate, and to set up insurance exchanges. Published April 10, 2013
Obama budget eyes $400B in health savings without hitting benefits
President Obama's new budget plan aims for about $400 billion in health care savings over the next decade through tweaks to Medicare and other reforms that will affect drug companies more than Americans who benefit from federal health entitlements. Published April 10, 2013
Obama budget includes $235M for mental health, gun violence
Health and Human Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said President Obama's new budget plan released Wednesday morning will devote $235 million toward mental health programs designed to pinpoint problems among youth and prevent gun violence. Published April 10, 2013
Obama’s Medicare, Medicaid nominee basks in bipartisan praise
Published April 9, 2013
