Jessica Chasmar

N.C. bill asserts state’s right to declare an official religion

North Carolina Republicans introduced a bill Tuesday that would basically give the state freedom to declare its own official religion.

April 3, 2013

Phoenix acquatics department uses affirmative action program for lifeguards

In an effort to diversify its ranks, the Phoenix aquatics department has spent over $15,000 in the past two years training and certifying minority lifeguards.

April 3, 2013

Mike Tyson teams up with Sen. Reid on Jack Johnson pardon petition

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson found a friend in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Tuesday, as the pair urged the president to posthumously pardon heavyweight champion Jack Johnson of what Reid called "a racially motivated criminal conviction."

April 3, 2013

Carnival Triumph breaks loose from dock; one person pulled from water

Strong winds caused the infamous Carnival Triumph to break loose from its moorings Wednesday afternoon while it was being repaired in Alabama.

April 3, 2013

China finds more cases of bird flu previously not seen in humans

China has found two more cases of a deadly strain of bird flu not previously found in humans, bringing the number of known cases to nine.

April 3, 2013

8-year-old Tenn. girl suspended from school 7 times for body odor

An 8-year-old Tennessee girl has missed 24 days of school so far this year, all because she keeps getting sent home because of her foul odor.

April 3, 2013

N.C. vote paves the way for food stamp applicant background checks

The House Health and Human Services Committee in North Carolina voted Tuesday to require mandatory background checks for people seeking welfare and food stamp benefits.

April 3, 2013

Actor-comedian Jim Carrey sheds light on his gun-control comments

In a Huffington Post blog post Tuesday night, Jim Carrey made an effort to clarify his gun-control remarks that have caused such a firestorm on social media recently.

April 3, 2013

Indian students create electrified bra to deter rapists

Amid a wave of gang rape attacks, a team of Indian engineering students have invented a bra that shocks anyone who touches it from the outside.

April 3, 2013

Obamas to welcome Justin Timberlake, musical stars for ‘Memphis Soul’ concert

As part of their "In Performance at the White House" series, the Obamas have invited Justin Timberlake, Al Green, Queen Latifah and many others to perform at the White House next week in a "Memphis Soul" concert, the White House announced today.

April 3, 2013

Poet Maya Angelou: ‘I do like to have guns around’

In an interview with Time Magazine, famous poet and Obama supporter Maya Angelou recalled a time in her life when she fired a gun to scare off an intruder.

April 3, 2013

Ohio school takes down Jesus portrait, up since 1947

Some legal persuasion by the American Civil Liberties Union has prompted a southern Ohio school district to take down a Jesus portrait that has been up since 1947.

April 3, 2013

Bill Maher to Jimmy Kimmel: Bloomberg’s soda ban ‘gives liberals a bad name’

Comedian Bill Maher appeared on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Tuesday night, and he had some choice words for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his controversial soda ban. "I think it gives liberals a bad name. I really do," the HBO show host said.

April 3, 2013