Author: Connor Simpson

Oxbow Upsets Orb's Bid for a Triple Crown at the Preakness

AP

After completing a thrilling come from behind win at the Kentucky Derby, Orb was supposed to walk away with Preakness and charge onto the Belmont Stakes in pursuit of the elusive Triple Crown. Unfortunately a horse named Oxbow had other ideas. 

By Connor Simpson

Apr 21, 2013

Who Influenced the Tsarnaev Brothers to Bomb the Marathon?

As the days press on, the investigation into the brothers Tsarnaev is turning up fewer and fewer leads explaining why they would decide to bomb innocent citizens at the Boston Marathon and then engage law enforcement in two days of intense firefights before being captured or killed. 

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 21, 2013

The Koch Brothers Wouldn't Mind Controlling the Medium and the Message

Charles and David Koch are very major players in the Tribune Company's sale of some of the biggest newspapers in the country, including the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune, and according to a new report, they have debated using the media to spread their political message. 

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

See How the Cops Knew Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Was Inside That Boat

When the police received a tip that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev might be hiding out in a Watertown boat, there was obviously some worry: how do you safely check to see if he's there when he's been carrying explosives this whole time? You use a police helicopter's thermal camera, of course. 

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

Would the Real Sarah Hanson Please Stand Up?

What happens when a 19-year-old programmer extensively covered by media outlets this week probably doesn't exist? 

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

"This Is Our F------- City": Boston Sports Rallies the City

As the Massachusetts city slowly returns to normal life after Friday night's events, Boston's three most important sports teams played Saturday and helped breath a semblance of normal life back into the exhausted citizens. 

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

Meet David Henneberry, the Tipster Who Caught Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

David Henneberry is the most beloved boat owner in America. For it was his boat -- a 20-footer resting in his driveway, under a tarp, waiting for the harbor to thaw enough for sailing season to begin -- that led to the capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the 19-year-old accused of bombing the Boston marathon. 

Comments | 51,036 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

Earthquake Kills Over 100 in China, Death Toll Expected to Rise

A powerful earthquake devastated China's southwestern region on Saturday leaving more at least 156 people dead and more than 5,500 injured, with expectations that those numbers will surely arise as the recovery efforts continue. 

Comments | 387 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

What the Newspapers in Massachusetts Look Like The Morning After

The last Boston Marathon bombings suspect sought by authorities was captured Friday evening in a dramatic two hour stand off with police in Watertown, a community just outside of Boston. The day after, Saturday morning's newspapers offers a look at a state that was brought to its knees, now standing tall once again. 

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

Behind the Scenes of Boston's Manhunt: What Happened Last Night? What Now?

A week of uneasy, unanswered questions came to an end Friday evening as Boston authorities were finally able to capture the only surviving suspect allegedly behind the Boston Marathon bombings, but only after another intense firefight with police. Now the nation looks for answers.

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 17, 2013

Google Fiber Is Coming to Provo, Utah — Because It Already Had Fancy Internet

Last Tuesday, Google announced another reason to be jealous of Austin, Texas — the city became the second place in the U.S. where Google would offer its super fast, affordable fiber Internet service. Well, this week you can be jealous of Provo, Utah.

Comments | 769 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 17, 2013

Is This the New Daft Punk Song?

After a tease at Coachella over the weekend, fake versions have tricked fans multiple times all week, but it appears the first single off the electronic music legends' first album in eight years has finally leaked in full. Sort of.

Comments | 5,059 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 17, 2013

Mark Sanford's Trespassing Charge Just Lost Him a Lot of Campaign Money

The National Republican Congressional Committee announced they would not be contributing another cent to Mark Sanford's campaign in South Carolina Wednesday afternoon because of his trespassing charge.

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 16, 2013

Pat Summerall, Who Let the NFL Speak for Itself, Has Died

Known for bringing his dulcet, almost restful near baritone to the restlessness of the NFL as a play-by-play announcer on CBS, Fox, and ESPN, Summerall also played nine seasons in the league with the Detroit Lions, Chicago Cardinals, and New York Giants.

Comments | 1,343 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 16, 2013

While You Were Watching Boston, All of This News Happened, Too

As the world turned in the 24 hours since two explosions went off around 3 p.m. Monday, most of the world's attention turned to the aftermath in Boston. But other things were happening, believe it or not, so here's a quick primer on what you may have missed.

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 16, 2013

Boston's Broken Hearts Are Nearly Ready for Bawstin Sports

In the immediate and very strange aftermath, Boston is coping with tragedy, and America with it, however it can. But, eventually, blessedly, not soon enough, that happiest distraction of all will return: the light touch and emotional balance of sports. Because sports are important. We are waiting for the games to begin again.

Comments | 192 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 16, 2013

Run On: Bombs Can't Stop the Spirit of America's Marathoners

Across the running paths of America — and certainly across social media today and going forward — the runners are rallying. There are shirts. There are Instagram photos. There are beautiful words. But right now, running is enough. Just run.

Comments | 1,343 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 16, 2013

Iran Earthquake Leaves Scores Dead

A powerful seismic event occurred near the Iran-Pakistan border on Tuesday, and some are expecting it may cause hundreds of deaths.

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 15, 2013

Why Was the New York Post the Outlier in Boston Marathon Coverage?

The New York Post is either the most well-sourced newspaper in the country, the luckiest paper in the country, or an awful rag stirring up hate for Muslims. It depends on who you ask today, really. 

Comments | 41,450 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 15, 2013

The Boston Marathon's Final Mile Was Dedicated to Newtown Victims

Adding further heartbreak to utter tragedy, the last mile of Monday's Boston Marathon, which was rocked by at least two explosions resulting in an unknown number of injuries and casualties Monday afternoon, was dedicated to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting massacre.

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 15, 2013

Obama Expects Alabama to Keep Rolling

For the third time in four years, President Obama greeted head coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide football team to the White House for the annual photo op and gear exchange. "I was thinking about trying to find some cots for them here, they are here so often," the President said.

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 15, 2013

Are Guns Allowed at NRA-Sponsored NASCAR Races?

The suicide of a 42-year-old Texas man at an NRA sponsored Nascar race over the weekend was the cherry on top of a critical maelstrom the racing league faced in the lead-up to the event. But it also brings up an important question: how did he have a gun in the first place? 

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 9, 2013

Kevin Ware Got to Cut Down the Nets

Fab Five reunion and an unlikely performance from a current freshman couldn't stop Louisville from coming from behind to beat Michigan for the NCAA championship.

Comments | 1,097 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

North Koreans Skipped Work in Kaesong on Tuesday

North Korean workers didn't show up for work at the Kaesong factory complex Tuesday. Don't be jealous, though. This puts the future of the factory site and one of the country's biggest economic sources in jeopardy. 

Comments | 731 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

Colorado Judge Kicks the Decision on Fox News' Jana Winter Further Down the Road

After a day full of criticism in the media, both of the situation and the coverage, Colorado district court Judge Carlos Samour Jr. decided to delay making a decision that would force Fox News reporter Jana Winter to reveal her anonymous sources or face jail time.

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

Everyone Is on Board for This 'Crossfire' Reboot on One Condition...

Rumors have been swirling that CNN may revive Crossfire, the shuttered political debate show, since last Friday, and now it seems that most of the regular talking heads on the old Crossfire think it's a great idea so long as CNN doesn't make one fatal mistake. 

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

Someone at the Vatican Is Downloading Really Dirty Porn

That whole secret report on gay sex and bribery and the Pope aside, the Catholic Church is known for being fairly uptight when it comes to doing the deed. So you might be surprised to learn that new IP logs and DVD titles reveal a mysterious Vatican City resident with a taste for leather. Sexy leather.

Comments | 15,435 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

The Navy Has a Frickin' Drone-Shooting Laser

The U.S. Navy unveiled a laser capable of blasting away enemy drones Monday, and announced that it would likely be deployed on a real live U.S. naval ship some time early next year.

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

Will Chris Webber Outlive His Timeout?

With the Michigan Wolverines playing for a national title twenty years after Chris Webber and the Fab Five let one slip through their grasp, everyone wants to know if this will finally be the year the former players and the school finally bury the hatchet and let things go. We're a few hours away from game time, but it doesn't seem likely.

Comments | 5,767 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

The Fired Rutgers Athletic Director Gets to Keep the iPad New Jersey Bought Him

The state school is still going to pay the man who didn't act on acts of violence around $1.2 million through the next year, and pay for his car, and let him keep the laptop and iPad the school purchased, likely by way of taxpayer dollars. That must be nice for him.

Comments | 721 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

Convicted Hillary Clinton Hostage-Taker Returns from Leisurely Stroll from Jail

The man who took hostages at Hillary Clinton's campaign office in 2007 briefly escaped from his correctional facility Sunday evening, only to be found less than 24 hours later. So here's how that happened.

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 7, 2013

Florida Republicans Want to Know Why Jay-Z and Beyonce Were in Cuba

American royalty Beyonce and Jay-Z recently took their families on a vacation to Cuba, despite restrictions on American travel to that country. This has some Florida Republicans writing sternly worded letters to the Department of Treasury looking for answers. 

Comments | 5,135 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 7, 2013

Box Office Report

Oh My, You Were All Brave Enough to See 'Evil Dead'

Welcome to the Box Office Report, where we're never astounded by America's appetite for blood and guts on the big screen. 

Comments | 898 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 7, 2013

The Sunday Grind

Graham Isn't Afraid of Hillary; Malloy Calls LaPierre a Clown

This week on the Sunday talk shows, Lindsay Graham isn't afraid of big, bad Hillary Clinton running for President; Dan Malloy thinks the face of the NRA is more a circus act than anything; and everyone else gabs about North Korea. 

Comments | 1,079 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 7, 2013

Botched Attack Kills State Department Employee in Afghanistan

An assassination attempt in Afghanistan on Sunday resulted in the first death of a State Department employee since the war there began. 

Comments | 1,978 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 7, 2013

Even China Wants North Korea to Chill Out

Chinese President Xi Jinping used his first speech since taking over to indirectly call out North Korea for being so prickly lately. He never mentioned the country by name, but it's pretty clear who he was referring to. 

Comments | 3,237 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 7, 2013

Let's All Sing and Dance for Melissa McCarthy's Second 'Saturday Night Live'

Box office hero Melissa McCarthy stopped by Saturday Night Live for the second time in her career last night and saved the episode when some of the jokes weren't that great. Oh, and a certain Tyrion Lannister showed up ahead of this Sunday's Game of Thrones premiere. 

Comments | 1,978 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 6, 2013

North Korea's Army Is Full of Jumping, Leaping, High-Kicking Martial Artists

Amid all of the very real threats of war and stuff from North Korea, you'd think American intelligence officers want as much video footage of the enemy as possible. Well, here is one video featuring North Korean exercises and Kim Jong-Un holding a gun, and we'll say this: they certainly get points for presentation. 

Comments | 90,458 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 6, 2013

Are Forbes Writers 'Dying Inside'?

The San Antonio Spurs' Stephen Jackson is one of the most overpaid players in the National Basketball Association, according to a man who Jackson says is "dying inside."

Comments | 3,233 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 6, 2013

The Rutgers Scandal Now Has an F.B.I. Extortion Investigation

If you had an extortion investigation in your "what twists the Rutgers basketball scandal will take next" pool, well, collect your winnings. Also, buy a lottery ticket because you may be telepathic. Because the F.B.I. is investigating Eric Murdock, the whistleblowing former assistant coach, for extortion.

Comments | 6,287 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 6, 2013

What We Didn't Know About the Start of America's Drone War Killed Thousands

The details of the bloody back-room deal between Pakistani and American officials that led to the U.S. regularly carrying out unmanned strikes in Pakistan have been shrouded in secrecy, until now, and the reports of the first strike are strange to read now, in retrospect. But what does retrospect mean in America's drone war, anyway?

Comments | 9,699 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 6, 2013

What Is Holding the U.S. Back from Military Action in Syria

Reportedly facing pressure from U.N. security council allies, the U.S. is considering jumping into the Syrian conflict.

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 6, 2013

Someone Actually Wants to Buy Hulu for $500 Million

Hulu owners have an offer on the table from a real person offering real money to purchase the streaming television service, but the price tag is significantly lower than the last time the company was for sale.

Comments | 1,975 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 6, 2013

The Latest, Kind of Promising Nuclear Talks with Iran Fell Apart

The nuclear negotiations between Iran and the western power brokers appeared to be achieving something. But when the parties emerged from the final meeting of two days worth of talks, nothing had changed and everything had fallen apart. 

Comments | 898 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 6, 2013

The Big Problems with the NFL's Big Gay Player Rumor

Yesterday a rumor about four gay NFL athletes coming out of the closet together seemed to push the gay rights in sports debate to the precipice. Except that rumor was more than a little untrue, and now gay rights in sports advocates are more than a little mad. 

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By Connor Simpson

Apr 5, 2013

Al Jazeera America Got Its First Anchor and Twitter Account

It's a pretty big day at Al Jazeera America — the company confirmed its first bold faced name hire, and set up a brand spanking social media account for the kids to follow along with at home. 

Comments | 2,855 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 4, 2013

James Holmes' Psychiatrist Definitely Told Authorities He Was Dangerous

According to newly released court documents, the shooter's psychiatrist contacted University of Colorado authorities about his having "homicidal thoughts" 38 days before he shot and killed 12 people in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado.

Comments | 2,677 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 4, 2013

Why Bobby Knight Is Still Silent on Mike Rice

When the Mike Rice controversy exploded this week, the one person everyone immediately thought of was Bobby Knight. He's the guy you think of when an NCAA basketball coach puts his hand on a player, but he won't be saying anything and ESPN is fine with that. 

Comments | 4,640 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 4, 2013

Escaped Shoelace Killer Tripped Up by U.S. Marshals

Two Texas inmates — one accused of strangling someone with a shoelace — enjoyed little more than two days worth of freedom before U.S. Marshals busted them roughly 20 miles from the prison from which they escaped — and neither man was wearing any pants. 

Comments | 892 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 3, 2013

How Do You Solve a Problem Like North Korea?

The U.S. is deploying a new missile defense system in Guam to protect American forces from any potential North Korean attacks. It's the latest move in the ongoing chess battle between the Western powers and North Korea, and Chuck Hagel promises he's takings "seriously." But is he, really? 

Comments | 5,877 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 3, 2013

CERN Scientists Continue to Prove Their Value with First Evidence of Dark Matter

They're yet another step closer to proving that dark matter — the unseen stuff that they believe makes up a quarter of the universe — actually exists. And, yes, you can thank Congress for paying to strap a magic bus to the side of a Space Shuttle and help us understand what we're doing here.

Comments | 1,425 Views

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