MAKING CASE--President Barack Obama speaks about strengthening the economy for the middle class and the nations struggle with gun violence at an appearance at Hyde Park Academy, Feb. 15, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) by Darlene Superville Associated Press WriterCHICAGO (AP) — Pressing his case in the town that launched his political career, President Barack Obama called Friday for the government to take an active, wide-ranging role in ensuring every American has a "ladder of opportunity" into the middle class.
SEXY COUPLE----Puffy (as Diddy was known then) escorts Jennifer Lopez who was wearing one of the most talked-about dresses in Grammy history.The green Versace dress that J.Lo.wore to the 2000 Grammy Awards might be her most iconic look to date. "Those fashion moments happen by mistake -- you can't plan things like that," Lopez has said of the risque ensemble. (AP File Photo) by Dean ObeidallahSpecial to CNN(CNN) --"Be sure that buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered." "Thong type costumes are problematic." "Avoid sheer see-through clothing."
NEW REALITY SHOW--In this Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013 photo, Swati Dlamini, left, and Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway, granddaughters of Nelson and Winnie Mandela, pose during...
SOUTHERN FRIED FAVORITE--This Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013 photo shows fried chicken, foreground, with hush puppies at a restaurant in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck...
by Bob GreeneCNN Contributor (CNN) -- Taking attendance. That is the phrase used by the parent of a Sandy Hook Elementary School student, describing to a reporter what went on in the firehouse near the school as terrified mothers and fathers arrived in the minutes and hours after the shootings. FALLEN ANGEL--Ana Marquez-Greene was 6. She was the daughter of American jazz saxophonist Jimmy Greene, and the granddaughter of Jorge Marquez, the mayor of Maunabo, Puerto Rico. She was close with her brother, 9-year-old Isaias, who was also at Sandy Hook Elementary on Friday. (Twitter photo) The mothers and fathers looked anxiously for children who had lived through the shootings and had been brought into the firehouse. The surviving children and their parents found each other.
by Christine Armario AP Education Writer MIAMI (AP) — Jessica Kornfeld sat down with her son and daughter after school on Friday and shared with them the unthinkable, horrific news out of Connecticut: Someone had stormed into an elementary school and killed children nearly their same age. "They're just babies," her 10-year-old son said. "What could they have done?" A COMMUNITY GRIEVES--Johnny Nhatavong, center, of New Haven, Conn., embraces his wife, Melennie Rizek, right, and their 11-month-old son Kenzo Jung while stopping at a makeshift memorial near the place where a day earlier a gunman opened fire inside of an elementary school, Dec. 15, in Newtown, Conn. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Kornfeld assured him the victims had done nothing wrong, and that the shootings didn't make sense to anybody. She reminded her children that they were with her, and safe.
by Tim Reynolds AP Sports Writer MIAMI (AP) — When the Miami Heat players and coaches showed up for work Saturday morning, basketball was secondary. Newtown was the focus. FAMILY IS NO. 1--Miami Heat's LeBron James stands with his children LeBron, Jr., and Bryce, foreground, during a minute of silence of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn.,before an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards in Miami, Dec 15. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) Friday's massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., was the primary topic of discussion among the Heat, even though they were gathered to finish prepping for a Saturday night game against Washington. It's rare for anything to overshadow basketball on the Heat practice court, but clearly, this was not going to be a typical day.
by Stacy A. AndersonAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Nicole Ari Parker was motivated by frustration. For Star Jones, it was a matter of life or death. Toni Carey wanted a fresh start after a bad breakup. All three have launched individual campaigns that reflect an emerging priority for African-American women: finding creative ways to combat the obesity epidemic that threatens their longevity. AMAZING TRANSFORMATION--This combo image from Feb. 5, 2005 in Los Angeles, left, and Feb. 15, 2012 in New York, right, shows TV personality Star Jones. (AP Photos, File)
