Sarah Palin to The View?

The long-running ABC daytime talk show recently parted ways with co-hosts Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy, while co-creator and host Barbara Walters has retired or semi-retired. So there are open seats at the table, with Whoopi Goldberg being the only holdover. There are conflicting reports as to whether executive producer Bill Geddie was also let go.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Palin herself floated the idea of becoming a View panelist:

“I hear everyone recently got canned from The View, maybe a show like that needs a punch of reality and a voice of reason from America’s heartland to knock some humble sense into their scripts. You know, someone willing to go rogue.”

The former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate referenced The View in responding to a question about whether she was interested in doing a political talk show, which Palin said “would have to be interspersed with a whole lot of fun and real life and inspiration showcasing American work ethic, because those topics are all pretty much the antithesis of today’s politics, which I find incorrigibly disastrous!”

Palin could be racking up huge frequent flyer miles if she actually got The View co-hosting gig and would likely have to part of a rotating cast because geography would prevent her from being on the set every day.

Whether or not Sarah Palin joins The View, if that’s even practical, there have been some published reports that The View is looking for a politically conservative voice (Elisabeth Hasselbeck left the show last July) as a counterbalance to the conventional liberal leanings of virtually all the other hosts and guest hosts.

Last summer, Barbara Walters reportedly invited Sarah Palin to guest-host on The View, but scheduling issues precluded her from appearing.

The former governor’s reality series, Amazing America with Sarah Palin, which focuses on the outdoor lifestyle, has just been renewed for a second season on the Sportsman Channel.

There have even been reports that the controversial Rosie O’Donnell could make a return to The View and take up hosting duties again.

According to the Hollywood Life website,

“…Sarah would be an AMAZING addition on the show! Hear me out: Just like Rosie, Sarah gets people talking. When she was running for Vice President, no one dominated the airwaves more. People love to hate on Sarah, but her conservative views represent a big population of the United States… Whether or not someone necessarily agrees with Sarah’s right-leaning political beliefs, a lot of viewers are still likely to turn on their TV to see Sarah spar over the day’s hottest news from her point of view…”

For the moment, there is no indication that The View is interested in Sarah Palin. Given the recent turnover, however, do you think it’s a good time for The View to change things up and go rogue with Mama Grizzly Sarah Palin as its new co-host?

[Images via Bing and Andrew F. Kazmierski / Shutterstock.com]

Will Sarah Palin Be The New Host Of ‘The View’? is a post from: The Inquisitr News

It looks like the blue whales are looking for some media attention this week. Intentional or not, here’s a bit of the news they generated.

Around the first of July, New Zealand ended up with a brand new tourist attraction when the largest animal who ever lived drifted onto the beach of North island. People have been flocking to the impromptu gravesite ever since, taking pictures and even climbing on top the massive body.

The whale had been spotted prior to claiming its resting place, floating upside down in the water several kilometers out to sea. Upon closer examination of the beast, scientists have determined that its death was most probably of natural causes.

Officials have said that since the whale likely weighs 100 tonnes they won’t be attempting to move it. Such an endeavor would be likely to cause major damage to any machinery they used in the attempt.

Not three days later, another whale made July history when he went people-watching, and accidentally capsized the boat that had come out to have a look at him, as reported by the Inquisitr here. Apparently this whale was keen on joining in the celebration of independence.

And finally, though this guy is not alive, today a much-loved blue whale exhibit got all wet when the American Museum of Natural History gave it a much-needed annual bath.

Although the exhibit was originally gray in color, it was given a lovely blue shade back in 2003. However, over the year it gets so dusty it becomes gray again.

“People don’t realize how dusty she gets,” said Melanie Stiassny, a marine biologist with the museum. “I don’t even realize it until she gets cleaned.”

For those of you who are curious just how big a blue whale can get, here are a few facts to ponder. They can get up to 105 feet long and weigh as much as 190 tons. Though it is astronomically huge, its body weight is even distributed along a long, slender form, enabling it to move through the water at a surprising speed of up to 30 miles per hour, especially since their flippers are about a foot long. This species of whale tends to be loner, so if you happen to see a pair of them you’re probably viewing a mother and her baby. Large gatherings of these whales are usually fleeting, and it’s the food in the area they are interested in rather than each other. Their diet mainly consists of squid, fish and krill, and if food it readily available one whale will consume around 8,000 ponds of food each day.

A mature female generally gives birth to a 23 foot long, 2-3 ton calf every few years, though their mating rituals for obtaining this baby have never been observed. The offspring have a voracious appetite, consuming around 150 gallons of milk from the mother each day. The blue whale is endangered, and laws were put into action back in 1966 to help protect them from being hunted into extinction. Left to its natural life cycle, a blue whale could live to be 80 years old.

Blue Whales Prevail in the News This Week is a post from: The Inquisitr News

Russia and the Ukraine have been at odds ever since a popular uprising in the Ukraine forced pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych and Prime Minister Mykola Azarov out of office in January, and now the hostilities have risen to a new level — Russia captured the Ukraine’s combat dolphins when it annexed Crimea and Ukraine wants them back.

The story would be funny if it wasn’t sad. The Ukraine had (and now Russia has) a cadre of trained combat dolphins. The militarized dolphins have been trained to defend ships in the harbor against divers. According to an ABC News report, the dolphin training program was run in Sevastopol, which also houses the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The dolphins are also trained to detect underwater mines and other hazards, according to a report in the Liberty Voice. Some have suggested that a program has been developed to allow the dolphins to be trained in using weapons such as knives and pistols.

Ukraine’s objection stems from the fact that Russia did not allow the dolphins to choose whether they would defect to Russian service or transfer to Kiev, where they could continue to serve in the Ukrainian military as they did with other members of the Ukraine’s military stationed in the Crimea region during the Russian takeover. Sources did not suggest any method by which the Ukrainian (or Russian) military brass would be able to decipher the dolphins’ answer if the Russian authorities did give them the option.

As for Russia, they have indicated a distinct disinclination to return the militarized combat dolphins. A report in the Guardian quotes a Russian military source saying:

“(Russian) Engineers are developing new aquarium technologies for new programs to more efficiently use dolphins under water. Our specialists developed new devices that convert dolphins’ underwater sonar detection of targets into a signal to the operator’s monitor. The Ukrainian navy lacked funds for such know-how, and some projects had to be mothballed.”

Russia isn’t the only country to have a combat dolphin. It is believed that Ukraine sold at least two combat dolphins to Iran in 2000, though it is also believed that Iran’s combat dolphin program has been discontinued, leaving only one nation other than Russia (and arguably Ukraine if they manage to talk Vladimir Putin into giving their combat dolphins back) with a combat dolphin program – the United States.

According to the report in the Guardian, the U.S. Navy has a force of about 75 trained combat dolphins, along with an unknown number of sea lions, stationed in San Diego.

What do you think? Should Russia give the Ukraine their combat dolphins? Should any nation – Russia, the Ukraine, the U.S. or anyone else – even be training dolphins for combat?

[Photos via Bing]

Russia, Ukraine Fight Over Combat Dolphins; Guess Which Other Country Has Some is a post from: The Inquisitr News

If a robber thought the home of an elderly Houston woman was going to be an easy house to rob, he was sorely mistaken.

According to KTRK-TV13 in Houston, when confronted with a robber on Sunday, July 6, 83-year-old Lillie McClendon at first tried to talk to the man. Then she took another approach — boiling water.

“Lillie say she’d just showered and put a load of wash in when she saw a quilt on the floor, other things out of place and a window wide open.

“‘I couldn’t see his face, just his eyes like that. All he was asking about was, “Where’s that money at? Where’s that money at?”‘ she said.

“The 83-year-old, who had just celebrated her birthday with family on Independence Day, had words for the man coming at her.

“‘I told him, I said, “What kind of momma you got that raised you up like this? You oughta be ashamed of yourself,” said Lillie.

“She wasn’t going to take it and fought him off.

“‘Oh shoot yeah. I got a stick and tried to hit him,’ she said. ‘I had sausage on the stove. I put hot water on him.’”

The robber got away. But the Houston ABC affiliate said he likely has at least “minor injuries” from the boiling water McClendon threw on him.

As for how she is doing, McClendon is well, but the station reported that her daughter Anita is still frightened by her mother’s early morning encounter with a robber.

“It was the neighbor’s number. They said my mom’s house had been broken into. That just made me shake. It was about 6:30 and I still can’t shake it off.”

Incidents of robbery similar to McClendon’s are not uncommon. Just last month, WCVB-TV 5 in Boston reported on the robbery of another 83-year-old woman in Revere, Mass., who was assaulted by two females as they attempted to steal her wallet at a convenience store in the city. The station reported that the two women responsible for that robbery and injury to the elderly victim’s shoulder were charged with unarmed robbery on a person over 60, unarmed assault to rob, and assault and battery on a person over 60 with injury.

While it is unknown at this point who the assailant is in the Houston robbery case, it is not unheard of for those convicted of robberies to get hefty sentences, especially if they have a large rap sheet. Just ask Raymond Lewis Perry, who The Inquisitr reported is serving more than 90 years in prison for a series of robberies he was convicted of in 2011 at the age of 19.

[Image via Screenshot/KTRK-TV 13 Houston]

Robber Stopped By 83-Year-Old Woman With Boiling Water (Video) is a post from: The Inquisitr News

Gamestop preorder exclusives now seem to reaching into the early game development stages in a bid to create exclusive content for the retailer. The plan being put together by the nation’s largest video game retailer is to develop relationships with developers and publishers in order to increase the offerings available to preorder customers.

The news from VentureBeatstems from when GameStop met with R.W. Baird, an investment company, on the current state of the video game industry as well as future planning for the retailer and the role it wants to play. The current benefit to preordering a game with GameStop is that many games will feature exclusive content such as an additional character, exclusive weapon packs, etc. that you can only obtain by pre-ordering from GameStop. In practice, the new relationships with developers and publishers would allow for GameStop to have a greater amount of content by involving themselves from the game’s early development stages.

“[GamesStop] indicated that software publishers are more enthusiastic about partnering with it,” Sebastian wrote in his note to investors. “For example, by offering exclusive content on each major game release, and longer term, future models may include GameStop offering exclusive gameplay.”

In the above quote from Venturebeat, clarification was sought from both R.W. Baird and Gamestop but as the program is still in its own early stages the ideas are still on the white board. However, if GameStop is involved from the early stages of game development then it is feasible to see larger chunks of the game either locked behind a preorder code or exclusively available to the retailer. Some examples might be larger levels or even gameplay limitations, but nothing is set in stone yet.

To the gamer, this may be a further point of contention against publishers as the digital distribution of gaming along with online connectivity allows for the game experience to be fragmented or enhanced depending on the gamer’s point of view. Using the recently released Watch Dogs as a touchstone for what we can expect, the idea of having fragmented DLC is not an encouraging one.

Polygon did a complete break down of the entire DLC offerings from Ubisoft’s latest IP which would cost the gamer a grand total of $1,240 USD, an truly staggering amount of money for a game that is normally $59.99 upon launch for the basic experience.

While some games like Borderlands 2 and Batman: Arkham City have made all the exclusive DLC available for purchase several months after the game’s initial release, not all studios follow this pattern so hoping that your favorite game will one day offer all the DLC you couldn’t afford.

Looking at it from the other side of the counter, the move is a solid one for GameStop which is doing very well on the sales of new consoles alongside their strong used game sales, PowerUp Rewards program and exclusive content already available with many games. With digital distribution an inevitable reality, it makes sense for the retailer to find ways to keep gamers coming to their stores.

Even with Gamestop preorder exclusives now reaching into early game development, the market is a competitive one and our worry for gamers is that it would not be long before other game retailers like Wal-Marta and Amazon to follow suit. Time will tell if this will be a positive move for gamers or not.

Gamestop Preorder Exclusives Now Reach Into Early Game Development is a post from: The Inquisitr News

A supertyphoon taking aim at Japan is seen as the biggest storm in years, and could end up being more powerful than even the destructive Hurricane Katrina.

Supertyphoon Neoguri is expected to reach Okinawa sometime early on Tuesday, generating winds that could reach more than 100 miles per hour. The storm is eventually expected to reach a Category 5, the highest on the scale measuring typhoons.

Directly in the path of the Japan supertyphoon is Kadena Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the region. Authorities at the base said they are taking every precaution to stay safe.

“I can’t stress enough how dangerous this typhoon may be when it hits Okinawa,” Brig. Gen. James Hecker, the Commander of the 18th Wing, said Sunday on the base’s Facebook page. “This is the most powerful typhoon forecast to hit the island in 15 years.”

The Japanese Meteorological Agency said the supertyphoon may bring a slew of dangers to Okinawa.

“In these regions, there is a chance of the kinds of storms, high seas, storm surges and heavy rains that you’ve never experienced before,” a JMA official told a news conference. “This is an extraordinary situation, where a grave danger is approaching.”

The Japan supertyphoon is expected to hit the mainland with a bit less strength, but forecasters said it still has the potential to do great damage.

This week, astronaut Reid Wiseman helped capture the scale of the Japan supertyphoon. He took a shot from high above the earth’s surface, showing the swirling storm system taking up the entire view.

#Typhoon Neoguri nearing Japan. Takes up our entire view. Wow. pic.twitter.com/dQEa1m2i7b

— Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) July 5, 2014

There are also worries that the Japan supertyphoon could bring even greater consequences. Kyushu, the nation’s westernmost main island, is home to two nuclear plants and lies directly in the path of the storm.

Japan Supertyphoon Stronger Than Hurricane Katrina, Headed For U.S. Military Base is a post from: The Inquisitr News

Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Apollo Nida, just lost his home over failure to pay property taxes on it. RadarOnline reports that they were able to obtain documents showing that Nida’s 4,687-square foot, 3-bedroom home sold for just $2,800 on May 6 after being auctioned off at the local courthouse. He apparently only paid $9,000 for the home in 2010.

Documents reportedly read that the sheriff’s department held the sale for paying “taxes owed, the interest and penalties on said taxes, and the expenses of the sale, all of which were mature and payable because of failure to pay same interest and penalties on said taxes…”

In addition to this off-screen Real Housewives drama, Nida plead guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and will be sentenced July 8. He previously served five years in prison for racketeering charges.

The IB Times reports that the Real Housewives of Atlanta star who is Phaedra Parks‘ husband, is facing up to a maximum of 30 years in prison. A question remains as to whether or not the two will remain married after Apollo’s sentencing. The report brought readers up to speed in case they didn’t know what Apollo said in April about his marriage to Phaedra, he told Sister 2 Sister this:

“I really admired everything that she did as a woman. I think that we have lost sight of the true picture, which is that we did take an oath to God and we did build a family and a brand. Whatever has come of this reality fiasco, we have had two beautiful children, and at the end of the day, I only wish her the best.”

He added:

“I can’t say if it’s going to last. But I hope that it does … I definitely love her. I’ve grown to love her more.”

Apollo Nida and Phaedra Parks have been through their share of marital woes on RHOA. Their marriage took a real hit when the sexting scandal involving Kenya Moore was front and center in the show’s storyline. Apollo bickered with Phaedra for being difficult to get along with and he fought with Kenya for accusing him of hitting on her via text messages. He told her if she really wanted to, he could have slept with her when they were in LA. Although the texting scandal is somewhat in the past now, it tends to come up on occasion during heated RHOA reunions or in a confrontational scene.

Will Apollo’s prison sentence jeopardize his marriage to Phaedra?

[Image via Amy Traphouse]

‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ Star Loses Home After Failure To Pay Taxes is a post from: The Inquisitr News

In an era that has almost extreme political partisanship, it seems rare that Hillary Clinton and John McCain seem to have genuine respect for each other and share a friendship.

Senator McCain (R-AZ) appeared on CBS’ “Face The Nation” Sunday and was asked by Bob Schieffer about Clinton’s comment that he is her favorite Republican.

“I hope this program is blacked out in Arizona,” he said. “Please cut.” He then spoke highly of Clinton.

“I respect her views. We have had disagreements on a number of issues,” McCain said. “You have got to reach across the aisle and work together on certain issues. And I’m not only not embarrassed about that. And I respect Hillary Clinton. I may not agree with her.” He then said he would maintain their working relationship if she “regrettably” won the presidency reported the Huffington Post.

Clinton is a former Secretary of State and Democratic Senator from New York and First Lady to President Bill Clinton.

McCain made the comments after Clinton made similar comments in June about him on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

When asked to name her favorite member of the GOP, she said “(McCain) and I have traveled a lot, we argue a lot, and he goes off on something that I disagree with, you know I admire him, and I spend a lot of time with him,” Clinton said.

When McCain and then Senator Clinton ran for president it 2008, they had a common target: Barack Obama.

Clinton said on a flight to a campaign stop in Texas “Sen. McCain brings a lifetime of experience to the campaign. I bring a lifetime of experience. And Sen. Obama brings a speech he gave in 2002,” reported the Los Angeles Times.

McCain, already the Republican candidate, attacked Obama. The Obama campaign attacked back, but Clinton and McCain did not attack each other.

After Clinton announced she was leaving the race, the McCain campaign issued a statement.

“Sen. Clinton has earned great respect for her tenacity and courage. The media overlooked how compassionately she spoke to the concerns and dreams of millions of Americans, and she deserves a lot more appreciation than she sometimes received.

“As the father of three daughters, I owe her a debt for inspiring millions of women to believe there is no opportunity in this great country beyond their reach. I am proud to call her my friend.”

As reported last week in The inquisitr, Clinton is the front-runner for the Democratic nomination should she choose to run in 2016.

[Image via The Washington Post]

Are Hillary Clinton And John McCain Good Friends? is a post from: The Inquisitr News

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said defending an Arkansas rapist was her “obligation” in a new video making its rounds on YouTube.

Clinton, who at the time was a law professor at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, said she actually tried to get off the case that had her defending a child rapist but her request was denied, ABC News reported.

“‘When I was a 27-year-old attorney doing legal-aid work at the law school where I taught in Fayetteville, Arkansas, I was appointed by the local judge to represent a criminal defendant accused of rape. I asked to be relieved of that responsibility, but I was not, and I had a professional duty to represent my client to the best of my ability, which I did,’ Clinton said.

“… ‘When you’re a lawyer you often don’t have the choice to choose who you will represent, and by the very nature of criminal law there will be those who you represent that you won’t approve of,’ she said. ‘But at least in our system you have an obligation, and once I was appointed, I fulfilled that obligation.’”

The rape victim herself spoke out in an interview with The Daily Beast, telling the online news organization that Clinton’s defense of the rapist had actually put her through “hell.”

The victim, whose name was withheld by the website and has never been publicly identified, said she listened to tapes obtained by the Washington Free Beacon showing the then-law professor apparently laughing during a conversation about the case. As a result, the child rape victim said she would want to tell Clinton a few things face to face should the two ever meet.

“I would say [to Clinton], ‘You took a case of mine in ’75, you lied on me… I realize the truth now, the heart of what you’ve done to me. And you are supposed to be for women? You call that [being] for women, what you done to me? And I hear you on tape laughing.’”

Clinton has found herself more on defense than she and most political pundits likely estimated as she has been on a national book tour promoting her latest work, “Hard Choices.”

The first and most notable stumble for the former secretary of state and senator was a statement she made talking about being dead broke after she and former President Bill Clinton left the white house at the beginning of the century. The comments caused a media firestorm, as evidenced in this Inquisitr report.

[Image via Flickr Creative Commons]

Hillary Clinton: Defending Rapist Was ‘Obligation’ (Video) is a post from: The Inquisitr News

Tenzin Gyasto, the 14th Dalai Lama, celebrated his 79th birthday with an address in which he spoke out against violence targeting Muslim minorities in Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

The Dalai Lama spoke before tens of thousands of Buddhists, CNN reports. Hollywood actor Richard Gere was among the crowd there to hear the Buddhist leader speak, in the Indian town of Leh. “I urge the Buddhists in these countries to imagine an image of Buddha before they commit such a crime,” the Dalai Lama said, speaking from the town high in the Himalayas. “Buddha preaches love and compassion,” the Tibetan spiritual leader continued. “If the Buddha is there, he will protect the Muslims whom the Buddhists are attacking.”

Rising tides of nationalism, spearheaded by extremist monks, have sprung up in both countries. Religious violence has taken 200 lives in Myanmar, and left 150,000 people, predominantly Muslims, homeless. Curfews were imposed in the city of Mandalay last week after clashes between Buddhists and Muslims left 14 injured, and killed two.

HHDL thanking the crowd at celebrations honoring his 79th birthday at the 33rd Kalachakra in Ladakh, India on July 6 pic.twitter.com/2zyBX0bc6S

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) July 6, 2014

The Dalai Lama celebrated his 79th birthday at his residence at Ladakh, outside of Leh, AlJazeera reports. Though the Dalai Lama announced his retirement from politics two years ago, he remains an extremely powerful symbol for Tibetans, as the most visible face of the Tibetan freedom movement. China has accused the Dalai Lama of covertly supporting Tibetan independence, although he has stated that he supports “meaningful autonomy” for Tibetans.

China has long attempted to hide information about the Dalai Lama from Tibetan citizens within its boarders. As The Inquisitr reported last year, Chinese authorities cracked down on the Dalai Lama’s influence, actively censoring the internet and television in a effort to silence his message. Communist party officials decried what they called the Dalai Lama’s “reactionary propaganda.” Chinese authorities reportedly confiscated illegal satellite dishes and increased efforts to monitor the telecommunications activity of the country’s citizens. The Dalai Lama responded to the Chinese censorship by calling it “immoral” after the government prevented him from attending Bishop Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday celebrations in person.

The Dalai Lama was speaking in Leh in order to confer Kalachakra, a process intended to empower his followers to reach enlightenment, according to his office. The speech is not the first time he has spoken out about the violence perpetrated by Buddhists in Myanmar. Last May, he addressed the subject while at a United States University, and he has previously authored a letter to Aung San Suu Kyi, in which the Dalai Lama called for a halt to the violence.

[Image via Tibet.net]

Dalai Lama Decrys Anti-Muslim Violence During Birthday Celebration is a post from: The Inquisitr News

Human sperm is about to meet its most formidable hurdle to conception: microchip birth control that can be turned on or off via remote control.

And wouldn’t you know we have Bill Gates to thank, yet again. As if it wasn’t good enough that Gate’s foundation just threw $100,000 at developing a condom made of hydro-gel that feels like real skin, the Microsoft co-founder was at MIT with some of his fellow think-tankers a few years ago to put remote-control birth control into motion, too.

According to MIT’s Technology Review, Gates was visiting the laboratory of Robert Langer when he asked about the viability of the idea. As a matter of fact, Langer told him, he and fellow scientists John Santini and Michael Cima had invented a time-released microchip system a few decades ago.

The technology was licensed to a Lexington, Massachusetts, company called microCHIPS, according to the journal, which is now ready to test the birth-control device for safety and effectiveness.

This is how the journal describes the 20-by-20-7-millimeter microchip working:

“Designed to be implanted under the skin of the buttocks, upper arm, or abdomen… [the device] dispenses 30 micrograms a day of levonorgestrel, a hormone already used in several kinds of contraceptives. Sixteen years’ worth of the hormone fits in tiny reservoirs on a microchip 1.5 centimeters wide inside the device. MicroCHIPS invented a hermetic titanium and platinum seal on the reservoirs containing the levonorgestrel. Passing an electric current through the seal from an internal battery melts it temporarily, allowing a small dose of the hormone to diffuse out each day.

The device, which has yet to face Food and Drug Administration scrutiny, is installed using a local anesthesia in a half-hour procedure.

Once activated, the birth control can be turned on or off simply by activating a button on a remote-control unit. And it can be removed once the 16 years’ worth of hormone runs out, which is about the half-life of a woman’s reproductive ability, according to CNET. So far, implanted hormone birth control has been able to last users at most five years.

MicroCHIPS’ website states that “These arrays are designed for compatibility with pre-programmed microprocessors, wireless telemetry or sensor feedback loops to provide active control. Individual device reservoirs can be opened on demand or on a predetermined schedule to precisely control drug release or sensor activation.”

In other words, with trials lined up for next year and release expected in about 2018, birth control is about to meet the wireless divide.

[Image courtesy of Motherboard]

Birth Control Is About To Go Remote Control is a post from: The Inquisitr News

The amazing story of a remorseful ex-employee who stole $200 from a Nebraska bar 15 years ago is fast gaining attention across the U.S. The unidentified woman, perhaps overcome by guilt has returned the money she stole more than a decade ago, reports ABC News.

Gibbs and Pamela Hedges are the owners of the Hedge’s bar in Beatrice Nebraska which has been in existence for the past 30 years. Recently, Pamela came across a letter in her mailbox which she initially mistook for a credit letter from a bank. On opening it however, she was shocked find a check for $200 inside it. Also inside the envelope was a handwritten note. Upon reading the note, it became clear that it was from one of the ex-employees at the bar.

The note was received by the Hedges’ last week on Thursday, according to Yahoo. In the letter enclosed, the ex-employee revealed how she had stolen about $200 from the bar and also asked for forgiveness. In the letter, the ex-employee poured her heart out and says;

“I worked for you at Gibbs back in 1999 or 2000 (I think)”… Not only was I flaky employee, I also stole from the drawer when I worked.”

She goes on to say;

“I want to make sure you know I was appreciative of the job and that I regretted stealing from you. Please accept this check for what I estimate to be how much I stole. I hope you are both well.”

The woman who has chosen to remain anonymous told ABC News that she chose to return the money because she felt it was wrong and because she regretted her actions. She also added that while at the job, she wasn’t particularly good at it and that she only worked for a month or two, mostly on weekends. She also said that she was “young and dishonest” at the time.

However, it took her 15 years to realize how important her job at the bar was for her and to appreciate the opportunity given to her by Gibbs and Pamela Hedges.

“If I can speak with them again, I would tell them how much I appreciated the job. I have my life back on the right track now, and I regret everything I did,” the woman added.

Meanwhile, Pamela revealed that she was aware of the fact that some employees were taking cash out of the register and that they had on several occasions taken the register for repairs doubting if it was broken.

Stunned to receive the letter, the couple appreciated the woman for her honesty and said;

“We don’t really remember the employee. But it was so courageous for her to first, admit her mistake. Second, to financially compensate for what she did,”

Pamela plans to write back to the ex-employee.

Stories of remorseful thieves and criminals are not uncommon. We have listened to quite a few of them in the past as well – but do you think this one about the guilt ridden ex-employee was particularly touching?

[Image Via 6ABC]

Remorseful Ex-Employee Returns $200 She Stole 15 Years Ago From Previous Workplace! is a post from: The Inquisitr News

After their impressive performance, the Colombia national team returned home to a heroes welcome, despite their 2-1 loss to host Brazil this past Saturday. Even though the match was surrounded by controversy, and the team’s campaign ended with a negative episode when defender Juan Zuniga kneed Brazilian star Neymar, ending his World Cup run, thousands came out to welcome their boys home.

The Colombia national team brought us everyone’s new favorite striker, James Rodriguez, who, despite not playing any longer, is the top scorer at the World Cup with six goals. The 22-year-old put on quite the display, looking cool, calm and collected against some of the best teams in the world.

James checks on Neymar during quarterfinal match. (Image via Twitter)

But James ended up winning many millions of hearts during the elimination match against Brazil, when after a hard battle, the Colombia national team simply could not overcome the deficit. James couldn’t help himself and was seen openly weeping.

In a show of unusual sportsmanship, several Brazilian players came over to console James, acknowledging they were in the presence of a future superstar. The images were an instant hit online and made James an even more sympathetic player.

James Rodriguez consoled by Brazilian rivals. Brazil vs. Colombia. (Image via Twitter)

Despite the black mark left by Juan Zuniga’s charge on Neymar, the Colombia national team was received back home with loud cheers. A sea of yellow, red, and blue was seen as the streets of the capital, Bogota, were packed with hundreds of thousands of adoring fans.

But even in their wildest dreams, the Colombian national team did not imagine a welcome such as the one they received on Sunday, a day after the heartbreaking loss against Brazil. James couldn’t help himself and followed the latest trend, taking a selfie against the backdrop of thousands clamoring his name.

Gracias a todos, me siento muy orgulloso de ser COLOMBIANO. pic.twitter.com/yMr3Xq25Ul

— James Rodríguez (@jamesdrodriguez) July 6, 2014

The Colombia national team reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their history, and this alone made them heroes in a country where football is the national pastime. The best performance for Colombia — prior to 2014 — was in the 1990 World Cup when they reached the round of 16.

#GraciasMiSeleccion pic.twitter.com/J1AAT0DLEc

— Alejandra (@Alejand71628769) July 6, 2014

James Rodriguez and company have single-handedly erased a decade’s worth of absence at the World Cup. The Colombia national team’s last World Cup appearance was in 1998 when they ended up in 21st place. This is one of the most solid, tactically sound Colombian national teams ever, and who could forget that celebratory dance.

[Image via Twitter]

Colombia National Team Returns Home To Heroes Welcome, Despite Quarterfinals Loss is a post from: The Inquisitr News

In one of the most gruesome stories online, a report of 17 bodies discovered in the Ohio River wrapped in plastic wrap hinted that a Dexter-copycat serial killer may be on the loose in Kentucky. Empire News published the revolting details as explained by “Captain Owen St. Pierre of the Henderson Police Department.”

Kentucky residents can sleep with both eyes closed tonight because Empire News is a satire-based entertainment website. Unfortunately, a lot of readers fell for the hoax and are probably riddled with fright this evening.

17 bodies in plastic wrap found in the Ohio river… dexter is in ohio — Molly Myers (@mollymyers_) July 8, 2014

Oh my goshhhhh! Real life dexter!!! This is frickin insane http://t.co/Uo20JuzAqJ — Lauren Budas (@l_budas) July 8, 2014

17 bodies found in the Ohio River and a few have extensive criminal records aka they think someone is trying to be Dexter — Logs (@logan_newton) July 8, 2014

17 bodies (some with criminal backgrounds) found wrapped in plastic bags, dismembered. #dexter on the loose — ell squared (@LaurenPaigeLong) July 8, 2014

http://t.co/ym8jN0Vn82 #highlydisturbing especially considering it’s just an hour from the farm. Dexter stuff right here. Poor folks — Jon Taul Band (@Jontaul) July 7, 2014

17 bodies found in the Ohio river… Which means I’ll probably never get in a river again. — McKenzie Tichenor (@Kenzie_Shae) July 7, 2014

The disturbing story has gone viral with over 58 thousand Facebook shares within the first day of posting.

Cindy Brown Murphy of Kentucky writes:

“OMG! People people people. This is one of those fake news sites. I’m a Kentucky EMT, and KY law does NOT require resuscitation measures on an obviously DEAD body! And there is no Cpt Owen St Pierre of the Henderson PD. Wow, I don’t see how websites are allowed to report false news like this. You’d think they would get in some kind of trouble.”

Empire News features a disclaimer page explaining that the entire site is dedicated to satire and is strictly for entertainment. As usual, people commented on the story thinking it was real. Others commented mocking people for falling for satire. At the heart of every satire story though, there is usually a distorted reflection of a real story.

Kentucky.com reported on July 5 that a human leg was discovered in the Ohio River prompting the Henderson County Rescue Squad to use cadaver dogs and divers to search for human remains. DNA testing is being done on the leg that was found in the Ohio River. The DNA tests on the dismembered leg may take up to six months, according to The Courier Press.

Seventeen bodies were not found wrapped in plastic bags, any more than President Obama had a Fourth of July cookout at a mosque. A mass burial ground was not unearthed in the Ohio River. A serial killer mimicking the fictional character “Dexter” was not exposed today, and thankfully, several attempts to resuscitate one of the fictional 17 dismembered bodies never happened.

[Photo from Empire News]

’17 Bodies Found Wrapped In Plastic’ – Is There A ‘Dexter’ Copycat Serial Killer Out There? is a post from: The Inquisitr News

There hasn’t been an official confirmation from MTV just yet, but it looks like Teen Wolf will continue after its fourth season. Variety has released a list of shows that the California Film and Television Tax Credit program approved for tax credits for the 2014-15 fiscal year, and Teen Wolf will receive $11.6 million, the most of the 26 selected film and television projects.

Teen Wolf relocated from Georgia to California in 2012. With this allocation, the show will receive a credit nearly a quarter of its $46.3 million budget. While most shows receive about 20 percent credit, shows that filmed previous episodes outside of California are eligible for 25 percent credit.

Teen Wolf and 11 other series will receive $77.6 million of the $100 million distributed. Some of the other shows include Justified; Pretty Little Liars; Rizzoli & Isles; and Major Crimes.

The fourth season of Teen Wolf began on June 23 and still has 9 episodes left. As Enstarz reports, production finished on June 30.

However, nobody from MTV or the cast and crew has mentioned anything about Teen Wolf returning. And even though it will be receiving this tax credit, there is still a possibility that the show may not go on. It all depends on how well it does in the ratings this year.

But that hasn’t stopped the Teen Wolf fans from taking to Twitter to express their excitement.

#TeenWolf has been renewed for fifth season!!

— Megan Goff (@Megoff84) July 4, 2014

#TeenWolf will be back for a Fifth Season! YEA!

— Emilee K (@SoDivineBunny) July 3, 2014

TEEN WOLF HAS BEEN RENEWED FOR A FIFTH SEASON. PRAISE THE LORD ALMIGHTY.

— meaghan (@darkstilestho) July 3, 2014

It’s amazing that teen wolf is on its fourth season with a fifth on the way, feels like last week when we were guessing the alpha’s identity

— charlie (@beaconbanshees) July 3, 2014

Speaking of ratings, the Teen Wolf season premiere nabbed 2.2 million viewers, which was less than the season three premiere (2.4 million) and the premiere of the second half of season three (2.43 million), according to The Wrap. But that was better than the series premiere (2.17 million) and the second season premiere (2.11 million)

The second episode of the fourth season of Teen Wolf received about 1.6 million, according to TV Series Finale.

For right now, fans have the remainder of the fourth season of Teen Wolf to look forward to. As The Inquisitr previously reported, series creator Jeff Davis promised that there will be “a lot more death and destruction.”

“It’s all based around a hit list that our supernatural creatures find themselves on,” Davis said. “We call it a season of assassins and bounty hunters. There will be a lot more danger for our characters.”

[Image credit: MGM Television/MTV via SpoilerTV]

‘Teen Wolf’ Season 5 Is Happening, But You Weren’t Supposed To Know That Yet is a post from: The Inquisitr News

Kerri Kasem said her father Casey’s final days were filled with pain and sickness, but that the radio legend stayed cognizant until the end and was even able to deliver a final message of love to his children before passing away.

Radio legend Casey Kasem died last month after a long bout with illness. His decline was shrouded in controversy as his wife Jean Kasem denied access for Casey’s adult children, and later took Casey from his nursing home facility in the middle of the night.

Casey’s daughter Kerri is now opening up about the ordeal, saying she hopes her father’s plight can spur changes in the law to better empower families in times of health crisis.

In an interview with Access Hollywood, Kerri Kasem said she finally saw her father on May 6, after wife Jean had moved him several times and kept him from seeing family members.

“When I did see him that day he was absolutely cognizant, completely aware of who my sister and I were… he talked a little bit, so he was there, completely there, he didn’t have any infection in him, he didn’t have a bed sore and then she ripped him out of there,” Kerri said.

But his health did not last long, Kerri noted.

“Two weeks later I saw him and it was not good,” she said “He was going downhill fast.”

Kerri Kasem said her father was sick and in pain in his final days, but was able to talk briefly to his children. Casey’s last words were ones of love, she recalls.

“He did say, ‘I love you,’ and that was the last time I heard him talk,” Kerri said.

In the end it was Kerri who assumed control of her father’s care, and even went to court to ask for permission to take him off life support.

Kerri said she was with her father when he took his final breath, and though it was a painful moment said she was happy to be there for her father.

“I was just so grateful that I could be there with him,” she said. “I was just so happy that he didn’t die alone in a nursing home and not thinking that anybody loved him.”

After her father’s death, it was Kerri who announced his death to the world, posting on Facebook:

“Early this Father’s Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends. Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. The world will miss Casey Kasem, an incredible talent and humanitarian; we will miss our Dad. With love, Kerri, Mike and Julie.”

Kerri Kasem said she now hopes Casey’s death can spur larger changes. She is seeking support for a law that would allow a judge to rule on visitation, making it easier for family members to spend time with dying loved ones.

Kerri Kasem: My Father’s Final Words Were ‘I Love You’ is a post from: The Inquisitr News

Will Daniel Radcliffe be bringing Harry Potter back to life in the near future?

Radcliffe showed up – via video big screen – on the first day of the Television Critics Association press tour, appearing at the event to promote a new season of A Young Doctor’s Notebook and Other Stories, an Ovation Network program on which Radcliffe stars. In A Young Doctor’s Notebook, Daniel Radcliffe plays the young doctor who receives visits from his older self, while also suffering through love issues, morphine and the 1918 Russian civil war.

But how many questions could Daniel Radcliffe field about the show before someone inevitably asked about the boy-wizard-wonder, Harry Potter?

Not many.

Particularly since J.K Rowling just penned a new short story, fresh from the land of Hogwarts, featuring Harry Potter on the verge of 34 years-old.

So the obvious question to Daniel – if there was any chance he would play the grown up Harry should the short story become a film – hung in the air like a bubbly spell: “I’m inclined to say no,” said Radcliffe, who could’ve left it at that, but thoughtfully did not:

“It’s not even hypothetical at the moment. What she’s written, I haven’t read it yet. I am going to read it,” said Radcliffe of Rowling’s new story, a 1,500 word piece written in the first person voice of Hogwarts gossip writer, Rita Skeeter, according to Entertainment Weekly. “But it is, as I understand it, a very short piece that I’m not sure it, of itself, is worthy of adaptation to film.”

The age of Rowling’s adult Harry Potter was also a potential rub, said the 24 year-old Radcliffe, because he’s “about 12 years older than I am now… So it’s not something I’d have to worry about for a long time, hopefully.”

At the same time, Daniel Radcliffe also made the point that he’s not running away from the fact that he was Harry Potter, just that he’d enjoyed playing a variety of different roles since the Potter franchise concluded:

“People may think that’s why,” said Radcliffe. “But it was more that after playing the same character for such a long time, I’d look at actors like Ben Whishaw, who I admire, playing a variety of roles… So I thought I’d like to do it while the going is good!”

But any discussion about Daniel Radcliffe bringing Harry Potter back to the screen wouldn’t even be happening without J.K. Rowling’s new story, right?

SPOILER ALERT!

In the new story, Daniel Radcliffe would play a Harry Potter who is seen at the 2014 Quidditch World Cup with a “nasty cut” over his right cheekbone, reports the Daily News. This dirty laundry is hung out by Daily Prophet gossip columnist, Rita Skeeter (J.K. Rowling), who also considers whether Harry is having problems with his wife, Ginny Weasley (more proof Harry should’ve married Hermione):

“Has his wife perhaps cursed him? Are the cracks beginning to show in a union that the Potters are determined to promote as happy?”

Daniel Radcliffe may not think the new story will translate to the screen but it’s likely Harry Potter fans will disagree. So when it does hit the screen, I may not look like Daniel Radcliffe, but it will still be a great opportunity to go to the movies dressed up as adult Harry Potter.

Image via the Inquisitr

Daniel Radcliffe: New J.K. Rowling Story To Bring Harry Potter Back To The Screen? is a post from: The Inquisitr News

All systems catibrated and ready to go!

Testing The Reflexes Of Seven Kittens [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr News

Insane Clown Posse fans, commonly known as “Juggalos,” are indeed a gang if you believe the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

This “fact” was reiterated when a federal judge ruled in favor of the agency in ICP’s lawsuit, which takes its roots from a 2011 report.

According to The Wire, U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland ruled that because a the report on gangs is “descriptive,” and not ” prescriptive,” it doesn’t break any laws.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan supported the Insane Clown Posse in its legal fight to get the title thrown out.

Needless to say, neither group was none too happy about Cleland’s final ruling. From an ACLU statement:

The only way to remedy this injustice for all innocent Juggalos is to start with the root of the problem – the FBI’s arbitrary and erroneous branding of hundreds of thousands of music fans as gang members. There is no doubt that the FBI created this problem and the solution begins there as well. Otherwise, we’ll be playing whack-o-mole to stop local law enforcement agencies from discriminating against our clients, when the agencies are just following the FBI’s lead.

This statement highlights the core of the problem for ICP. They claim that because of the FBI report, their fans have been unfairly targeted by law enforcement officials across the country.

While the FBI has removed the classification in subsequent reports, the Associated Press notes, the 2011 report is still widely used by law enforcement agencies.

Juggalos typically wear similar face paint to that of the Insane Clown Posse, a Detroit-based hip hop duo comprised of Joseph Bruce (aka Violent J) and Joseph Utsler (Shaggy 2 Dope). The pair has been active since 1989. Their fans usually come together in so-called “gathering of the juggalos” festivals every year.

For law enforcement to target these fans, it could potentially harm the commercial viability of ICP, and it does step into dangerous territory with regard to unlawful profiling.

On Tuesday, Bruce had this to say: “This is not the end — we’ll keep fighting to clear the Juggalo family name.”

The ACLU added that “Juggalos are not an organized fan club, but a group of people who bond over the music and a philosophy of life, much like ‘Deadheads’ bonded through the Grateful Dead.”

The FBI begs to differ, noting that Juggalos have been responsible for assaults and vandalism and a “small number” of more serious crimes, the report notes.

Do you think Insane Clown Posse fans deserve to have their names cleared? Sound off in our comments section.

[Image via Featureflash / Shutterstock.com]

Insane Clown Posse Loses Court Battle: ‘Juggalos,’ You Are Gang Members is a post from: The Inquisitr News

It is a nightmare in America’s second most dangerous city as more than 500 police officers called in sick Monday (July 7) to protest cuts to healthcare benefits.

The situation has continued into Tuesday in Memphis, Tenn., National Public Radio reported.

Quoting The Commercial Appeal (which is behind a paywall), NPR said 552 officers called in sick on Monday out of the city’s total police force of 2,218. That’s one in four cops, or 25% of the force, calling in sick.

NPR went into some detail in explaining why the call ins are happening while the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department is patrolling popular areas of town, like Beale Street, and other not so desirable sections of the city.

“Last month, the Memphis City Council that increased employee health insurance premiums by 24 percent, as of October. The package also took away some health care subsidies for retirees over the age of 65.

“The changes will affect all city employees, but police officers and firefighters have been the most vocal in. So far, though, members of the police force are alone in staging a de facto work stoppage.”

CNN reported that the city’s supplement to worker’s health coverage has been up to 70% in recent years, meaning that the city’s decision to cut that for members of the police department will have a major impact on pay for Memphis police officers.

Salary.com said the average salary of a police patrolman in the city of Memphis is $49,372 though it is unknown what take home for those officers is once retirement contributions and healthcare were taken out.

In a non-paywalled data section of its website, The Commercial Appeal reported that Memphis’ Director of Police Services Toney C. Armstrong earns an annual salary of $120,180.06. Mayor A.C. Wharton’s annual salary is $162,925.20.

Considering the high salary for both the director of police services and the mayor, some Memphis residents are demanding both men’s salaries be cut, CNN reported.

“‘Let’s start up on top. Let’s cut the mayor’s salary. Let’s cut some of his assistant’s salaries, then let’s cut from some of those making these decisions,’ said [resident] Calvin Harris. ‘Then, we see where we need to go from there.’”

The hundreds of Memphis police officers who called in sick may find that their stand on principle may cost them their jobs, Armstrong told NPR.

“Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said Monday he’ll expect to see doctors’ notes from those officers who have been out, and said his administration will deal with them on a case-by-case basis.

“‘We have the authority to discipline anyone found to be in violation of the city’s policy, up to and including termination,’ Mayor Wharton said in a statement. ‘Thankfully, public safety has not been compromised at this point, and we intend to do whatever is necessary to keep it that way.’”

What do you think? Is it right to cut benefits so drastically while the mayor and police chief are earning six figure salaries? Let us know in the comments section.

[Image via Flickr Creative Commons]

Memphis Police Call In Sick To Protest Benefit Cuts While Mayor, Police Chief Make $100k+ is a post from: The Inquisitr News