Jessica Chasmar

NYC council bans use of e-cigarettes indoors

The New York City Council approved legislation Thursday that treats electronic cigarettes similar to tobacco cigarettes, by banning their use in indoor public spaces.

December 19, 2013

Katie Couric’s syndicated talk show canceled

Katie Couric's syndicated television talk show has been canceled, Disney/ABC Television Group and the host announced Thursday.

December 19, 2013

Obama: ‘The Duck Dynasty family seems like a pretty fun bunch’

In a People magazine interview about to his newsstands on Friday, President Obama said the "Duck Dynasty" family seemed like a "pretty fun bunch."

December 19, 2013

Multiple injuries as balcony collapses at London’s Apollo theatre during performance

Part of a balcony in the Apollo theatre in central London has collapsed during a performance of "The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-Time."

December 19, 2013

N.Y. school apologizes for scrubbing Christ from ‘Silent Night’

A school board in Long Island, N.Y., has apologized after a fifth-grade chorus left out lyrics that mentioned Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary from "Silent Night."

December 19, 2013

Putin: Anti-gay laws are to protect citizens from ‘aggressive behavior’

Russian President Vladimir Putin defended on Thursday the country's strict laws against gay "propaganda," amid international criticism and threats of a boycott.

December 19, 2013

New Mexico Supreme Court rules same-sex marriage constitutional

New Mexico's highest court declared same-sex marriage constitutional in a Thursday ruling.

December 19, 2013

Outrage over Phil Robertson suspension, ‘malignant’ political correctness

Fox News host Geraldo Rivera blasted A&E's decision to suspend "Duck Dynasty" reality star Phil Robertson, calling the network's political correctness "malignant" and "preposterous."

December 19, 2013

Man sets himself on fire in Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square

A man is seriously injured after he doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City Thursday.

December 19, 2013

Detroit Schools accountant helped steal $530K from district

A former Detroit Public Schools accountant has been sentenced to 70 months behind bars for colluding with her daughter to steal $530,000 from the district through fake billings, CBS Detroit reported.

December 18, 2013

N.Y. man arrested on suspicion of 6 ‘Knockout’ game attacks

A New York man has been arrested in connection with at least a half-dozen "knockout game" attacks dating all the way back to April.

December 18, 2013

‘Anarchist Cookbook’ author William Powell wants his own book banned

The author of the 1971 murder manual "The Anarchist Cookbook" is urging the book's publisher to halt printing in light of the Colorado high school shooting last week.

December 18, 2013

CNN’s Jeff Zucker among those trying to woo Jay Leno

CNN's Jeff Zucker is among those trying to recruit Jay Leno after the late-night host leaves his position at NBC in February.

December 18, 2013

Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins sentenced in child sex case

The lead singer of the British rock group Lostprophets was sentenced Wednesday to 29 years in prison for child sex abuse, including the attempted rape of a baby.

December 18, 2013

Georgia school district to provide rifles to campus officers

School resource officers in Gainesville, Ga., will soon have access to long-range rifles at their local middle and high schools.

December 18, 2013

Netflix to release Mitt Romney documentary ‘Mitt’

Netflix has released the trailer for the much-anticipated documentary "Mitt," based on the six years leading up to Mitt Romney's loss in the 2012 presidential race against President Obama.

December 18, 2013

‘Duck Dynasty’ star Phil Robertson: Gays ‘won’t inherit the kingdom of God’

"Duck Dynasty" reality star Phil Robertson has created a firestorm ahead of January's issue of GQ, saying that homosexuality is illogical and gays "won't inherit the kingdom of God."

December 18, 2013

Devon Wills becomes first female to sign with Major League Lacrosse team

Goalie Devon Wills has been picked for the New York Lizards, making her the first-ever female in Major League Lacrosse.

December 17, 2013

Reno hospital gunman shoots 4, kills himself

A gunman walked into a hospital building in Reno, Nev. and opened fire Tuesday afternoon, injuring four people before turning the gun on himself.

December 17, 2013

Georgia student suspended for a year after hugging teacher

A Georgia high school student was suspended for a year after a surveillance video caught him hugging his teacher, and a petition calling for his "extreme punishment" to be lifted has gained significant support.

December 17, 2013