Archives: 2018

The political force of Trump and Franklin Graham

The preacher and the president, seated side-by-side Wednesday in the lit-for-television Capitol Rotunda, leaned a few inches closer. The Rev. Franklin Graham whispered something to President Trump, who listened as he kept his eyes on the pine casket at the center of the room. They were there to honor Graham’s father, the Rev. Billy Graham, pastor to presidents of any…

U.S. utilities find water pollution at coal-burning power plants

BILLINGS, Mont. — Major utilities have found evidence of groundwater contamination at coal-burning power plants across the U.S. where landfills and man-made ponds have been used for decades as dumping grounds for coal ash, according to data released by plant owners under a Friday deadline. Heightened levels of pollutants — including arsenic and radium in some cases — were documented…

Woman pleads guilty to killing kids found in storage unit

Delylah and Shaun Tara Redding Police Department via CBS Sacramento SAN FRANCISCO – A California woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to torturing and murdering two young children who had been left in her care and disposing of their bodies in a rented storage unit. Tami Joy Huntsman, 42, entered the pleas to two counts each of murder and torture in a…

Kelly says WH staff “didn't cover ourselves in glory” in handling Porter situation

White House chief of staff told reporters Friday White House staffers “didn’t cover ourselves in glory” in their handling of the Rob Porter situation. But Kelly said there was “nothing to even consider resigning over,” despite criticism of his handling of the situation.  Porter left the White House last month after allegations surfaced that he abused his two ex-wives. The…

No new murder trial for Conn. man freed by DNA tests

Alfred Swinton in court in 2017  WFSB HARTFORD, Conn. – A judge has dismissed a murder charge against a Connecticut man who was imprisoned for 18 years on a conviction that was dismissed as the result of DNA tests. Alfred Swinton was released from prison last June after the new evidence showed he was not the source of bite marks on…

State Representative Enters U.S. Senate Race in MS

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A longtime state representative is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi. Omeria Scott (D), U.S. Representative, 80th districtSource: MS State Representatives Democratic Rep. Omeria Scott of Laurel filed qualifying papers just before a deadline Thursday. She joins five other Democrats in the race for the Senate seat held by Republican Roger Wicker. President Donald…

Former student accused of squatting in NYC dorm

NEW YORK — A New York City college is trying to evict a former student who it says is illegally squatting in her dorm room. Hunter College has filed the suit against 32-year-old Lisa Palmer, saying the woman owes more than $94,000 in unpaid residence hall fees since she dropped out in 2016. According to CBS New York, Palmer hasn’t…

Mother of 2 killed by nanny yells that defendant is “evil”

LuLu Krim (left) and Leo Krim Personal Photos via CBS New York NEW YORK – The mother of two children slaughtered by the family’s nanny yelled that the defendant is “evil” as she left court. Marina Krim shouted at Yoselyn Ortega on Friday after grueling testimony about discovering her children dead in their Manhattan apartment on Oct. 25, 2012. “You’re…

“The Good Girl,” accused of murder, insisted she was a victim

Murray Weiss is a “48 Hours” producer. He investigated the Noriella Santos case for the episode, “The Good Girl,” airing Saturday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. As a tragic parade of female athletes stepped up to a courtroom podium in Michigan this month revealing years of pain caused by sports doctor Larry Nassar, investigators were baffled explain how this…

U.S. makes Cuba staffing cuts permanent in wake of “health attacks”

A cart with flowers is seen next to the US Embassy in Havana on December 17, 2015.  Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images WASHINGTON — The United States said Friday it was making permanent its decision last year to withdraw 60 percent of its diplomats from Cuba, citing a need to protect American personnel from what the State Department calls “health attacks” that…

Fla. man not seen since 2015 was just reported missing

CLERMONT, Fla. – Deputies are looking for a man who wasn’t reported missing until recently, but who hasn’t been seen since 2015, reports CBS affiliate WKMG. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a friend of Michael Shaver, 35, recently contacted them and said he and Shaver’s family were concerned because they haven’t heard from him since 2015. When deputies went…

Ex-CIA chief: ISIS followers could make chemical weapons in U.S.

A new report warns that ISIS followers in the Middle East may be plotting a chemical attack on the U.S. Based on intercepted conversations, the report shows a desire by ISIS to use chlorine or other weapons of mass destruction on American soil. U.S. officials are working to disrupt the plan and a homeland security official said, “the bottom line…

Dramatic takedown of men allegedly plotting armored truck heist

Law enforcement agents in Martin County, Fla., arrested three men who were allegedly plotting to kill and rob employees of an armored bank vehicle  Martin County Sheriff’s Office via WPEC MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — A fleet of law enforcement vehicles stopped traffic on a major highway Tuesday morning as part of a dramatic takedown of three men accused of plotting…

Trump looks to Supreme Court to stop judges who interfere with his policies

The Trump administration is looking for ways to deal with a recurring frustration: individual federal judges who have put the brakes on one major administration policy after another. The administration is telling the Supreme Court in a case about President Trump’s travel ban that judges are increasingly using what are called nationwide injunctions to stop “a federal policy everywhere.” The…