After months of sagging poll numbers and shaky fundraising, Rand Paul has had enough. The Kentucky senator announced this morning that he is dropping out of the 2016 race for president. Paul said in a statement that he will turn his full attention to his Senate re-election campaign in Kentucky…. Read More
Powerful twisters tear through the heart of Dixie
Destructive tornadoes touched down in Mississippi and Alabama and possibly Tennessee on Tuesday, destroying dozens of homes and creating emergency situations all across the three states. Greg Flynn, spokesman for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said a confirmed tornado was reported just before 3:30 p.m. in eastern Newton and Lauderdale… Read More
Criminal welfare? Dems pay convicts to stay out of jail
They say crime doesn’t pay, but that might not be entirely true in the District of Columbia as lawmakers look for ways to discourage people from becoming repeat offenders. The D.C. Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a bill that includes a proposal to pay residents a stipend not to… Read More
Busted! “Priest” arrested for fake ticket scheme
A man who allegedly posed as a priest and officiated at Masses, funerals, confessions, and at least one marriage was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of selling thousands of dollars in phony tickets to see Pope Francis during last year’s U.S. visit. Erwin Mena, 59, declined to comment to the Los… Read More
Obama to make his first official visit to a mosque
President Barack Obama’s first visit to a U.S. mosque comes as Muslim-Americans say they’re confronting increasing levels of bias in speech and deeds. Obama is scheduled to visit the Islamic Society of Baltimore on Wednesday. Its campus contains a mosque and school that runs from kindergarten through 12th grade. Last… Read More
For a hot time, call… for jury duty?!?
Hundreds of southeastern Mississippi citizens received jury summons that incorrectly instructed them to call a sex hotline. Multiple news outlets report that at least 350 jury summons with the incorrect phone number were sent out in Jackson County to potential jurors. Circuit Clerk Randy Carney says people started calling the… Read More
Tensions flare over North Korea missile launch plan
A planned missile launch by North Korea would be “an unmistakable slap in the face” for those arguing against more sanctions in response to its recent nuclear test, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said Tuesday. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel’s comments appeared to be directed at China,… Read More
Top generals: If you want equality, women must register for the draft
The top Army and Marine Corps generals told senators Tuesday that it will take up to three years to fully integrate women into all combat jobs, adding that women also should have to register for the draft. The military service leaders repeatedly vowed that they will not lower standards to… Read More
US commander: We were right to fight in Afghanistan
The top American commander in Afghanistan told lawmakers on Tuesday that the war is not a lost cause and underscored his optimism with a personal story about his son, an Army sergeant preparing for his third deployment to the war-torn country. In sobering testimony before the House Armed Services Committee,… Read More
Is the Pope headed to Hollywood? Not exactly…
The Vatican is disputing a U.S. film studio’s claim that the pope is making his movie debut, saying no scenes were shot for the venture and that the pope isn’t an actor. Los Angeles-based AMBI Pictures headlined its press release: “Film Will Mark First Ever Big Screen Participation Role for… Read More