Cheryl K. Chumley

John Kerry: Israel-Palestinian peace deal ‘closer’ than ever

Secretary of State John Kerry announced Friday that a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is closer than ever, a somewhat surprising claim given the opposite reactions of other key players involved in the talks.

December 6, 2013

Michigan GOP Senate hopeful reminds government is the ‘servant’

A Michigan Republican running for a U.S. Senate seat is likely striking a chord with tea party types who favor limited government, with a mantra that reminds government is a servant.

December 6, 2013

Obamas host Hollywood for Hanukkah: Larry David says, ‘I’m going to party’

President Obama earned another notch in his hail-to-Hollywood belt Thursday evening, with a Hanukkah celebration at the White House that included the co-creator of the successful "Seinfeld" television series, Larry David.

December 6, 2013

Christmas, by Congress: Members mull a 15-cent tax on trees

It’s that time of year again – the Christmas tree tax has reared. Congressional members are mulling a 15-cent tax on fresh Christmas trees, a small but significant line-item mention in the current farm bill weaving through the House.

December 6, 2013

Bill O’Reilly reminds: Nelson Mandela ‘was a communist’

Amid the wave of grief over Nelson Mandela’s passing, and outpouring of fond memories about his inspiring deeds of greatness, came a harsh reminder from Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly: Let’s not forget he was a communist.

December 6, 2013

John Boehner says GOP should support gay candidates: ‘I do’

Speaker John Boehner said the Republican Party ought to openly support gay candidates — a blunt statement that's sure to ratchet up tensions among traditional conservatives who see the GOP as straying from core principles and wading into political territories held by Democrats.

December 6, 2013

Grass-Whopper: Pan-fried cricket burgers go over big in New York City

A popular Mexican restaurant in the trendy, artsy Soho section of New York City has a new menu item that scores high on the puke factor but nonetheless is bringing in the bucks: A pan-fried burger dotted and splashed with crickets.

December 6, 2013

CDC sees measles spike and ‘failure to vaccinate’

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 175 cases of measles so far this year, a significant spike that’s attributed largely to the failure of those infected to get vaccinated, medical professionals said.

December 6, 2013

Ex-Secret Service agent seeking Md. seat: Everyone’s a ‘de facto criminal’ now

Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent who's now campaigning in Maryland for a congressional seat, said the biggest threat facing the nation is the massive bureaucracy that's driving out common sense politics.

December 6, 2013

New prosthetic hand technology lets amputees feel again

Ohio researchers have made a break-through discovery and created a new prosthetic hand that allows amputees to actually feel what their fake fingers touch.

December 6, 2013

‘Incredibly audacious’ Colorado health care exchange head asks for bonus

Colorado enrollment numbers into Obamacare health care exchanges may be floundering in the state, but that hasn't kept the head of the program — who's already paid $190,000 a year — from asking for a raise and a bonus.

December 6, 2013

Child killed, 4 injured in Idaho elementary school bus crash

A young child was killed and four others injured when the school bus they were riding crashed with a dump truck on a road in southwestern Idaho.

December 6, 2013

Lee Rigby trial: Muslim who machete-hacked soldier calls it ‘humane’ kill

One of the Muslim murder suspects on trial for hacking to death British soldier Lee Rigby in a horrific, broad-daylight attack told police after his arrest that his actions were “humane” and based on Allah’s will.

December 5, 2013

Alec Baldwin: Actor takes to Twitter to denounce celebrity culture

Alec Baldwin, one of the reigning kings of Hollywood celebrity circles, took to Twitter to rant on his latest topic — curiously, the degrading culture of America due to worship of star-studded personalities.

December 5, 2013

Wonder Woman gets major revamp with ‘Fast and Furious’ actress

And the new Wonder Woman is ... Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress who scored fame for her role as Gisele in — coincidentally enough, given the recent death of Paul Walker — the "Fast and Furious" film series.

December 5, 2013

Paul Walker secretly bought $9K wedding ring for Iraq vet

Adding truth to the old adage "only the good die young" is this story from a Santa Barbara jewelry store owner, who recounted a sheer act of kindness and generosity by actor Paul Walker, who died in a fiery car crash at age of 40 on Sunday.

December 5, 2013

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford tried to squelch crack claims by offering to buy video for $5K: court

Toronto's embattled mayor, Rob Ford — who just landed a radio gig at a Washington, D.C., sports station — tried to silence the media storm that brewed over his crack-smoking activities by offering to buy the video that supposedly proved his drug use, new court documents reveal.

December 5, 2013

Mystery sign poster hits Washington state town: ‘It’s OK to say Merry Christmas’

Somebody in Redmond, Wash., is taking a strong stand for Christmas by posting signs all around town that contain biblical verses and tout the bold proclamation: "It's OK to say Merry Christmas."

December 5, 2013

Anthony Weiner on radio? Cumulus says, ‘Never, ever’

A New York daily newspaper may have reported that disgraced and failed New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner was a top considered choice for a new WABC radio show, but Cumulus Media couldn't be clearer in denying interest.

December 5, 2013

American teacher shot and killed at Benghazi international school

An American teacher at an international school in Benghazi, Libya, was shot and killed Thursday.

December 5, 2013