Pope's sharp words make a wealthy donor hesitate

Pope Francis' critical comments about the wealthy and capitalism have at least one wealthy capitalist benefactor hesitant about giving financial support to one of the church's major fundraising projects.

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Langone said he's raised the issue more than once with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, most recently at a breakfast in early December at which he updated him on fundraising progress.

"I've told the cardinal, 'Your Eminence, this is one more hurdle I hope we don't have to deal with. You want to be careful about generalities. Rich people in one country don't act the same as rich people in another country,' " he said.

Some of the statements in question are from Francis' first teaching, or "exhortation," a 224-page document issued in late November. In it, the pontiff criticizes what he calls "an economy of exclusion and inequality," blaming ideologies that "defend the absolute autonomy of the marketplace and financial speculation."

Suspect breaks into home, cooks hot dogs

A homeowner walked in on a suspect cooking hot dogs at his home early Tuesday morning, according to Grand Rapids Police.

Authorities arrived at the home in the 900 block of McReynolds Avenue NW in Grand Rapids around 3 a.m. Tuesday on a report of a home invasion.

The homeowner told police something woke them up and when they went to check on what it was, they found the door busted open and the suspect cooking hot dogs in the kitchen.

The suspect fled the scene before police arrived.

Trupiano leaving talk show, joining UFCW staff, running for state House

I have two exciting pieces of news to share with you today. First, and this news I am extremely excited by, is that after a meeting with Roger Robinson and Chris MIchalakis of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 876, I have agreed to join their staff as their Political Consultant for the upcoming year. It is an honor to be asked to perform this role, especially since there is much activity politically and our members (I am a member of Local 876) need a bull dog to go into the bull pen, if you will, I am that guy and will fight for everyone under the UFCW banner and I'll do it with excellence and pride.

Yes, that does mean I am permanently leaving the show, which brings me to my second piece of news, and it is hardly going to be much of a surprise, but I will be announcing my candidacy for the Michigan State House of Representatives officially on January 20, 2014. The Federal Elections Commission does not allow radio hosts to be on air and be a candidate at the same times, so the new responsibilities with the UFCW will allow me to feed my family while I campaign in the off hours from my new job responsibilities.

I have made the decision after talking extensively with my family, my friends, many listeners and many partners in Labor and I feel that my time is now and as I have the complete support of current term limited Representative Andy Kandrevas and his political machine, I have every reason to believe that with hard work, thoughtful messaging and engaging people from all political points of view this is a race I can and will win. And, I promise that I will take the same passion and vision I had on the radio to the State Capital. You will all have a voice of reason and command once I am elected. There is much more to come on this but we are in the process of doing all the things you need to have done to run an effective campaign and we will be ready to roll by January 20.

Esquire's best dressed man of 2013? You guessed it - Pope Francis

An unconventional choice to be sure, but hear us out.

While Bradley Cooper, Chris Pine, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have all had banner years, their sartorial choices begin and end on the proverbial red carpet. Meanwhile, Pope Francis's sartorial decisions have subtly signaled a new era (and for many, renewed hope) for the Catholic Church.

"His mode of dressing really does reflect the mindset behind it," says Mark-Evan Blackman, assistant professor of menswear design at FIT, of Pope Francis. "I remember when John Paul II was buried in those opulent bright red shoes. When the current pope was elected and chose not to wear the red shoes I thought that was very reflective of his approach to being a person functioning in a role."

Pope Francis has been big on symbolic gestures—paying his own bill at a hotel owned by the Church or washing the feet of inmates (two of whom were female) on Holy Thursday—and the black shoes and unadorned, simplistic regalia are just an outward acknowledgement of his progressive orthodoxy. "Pope Francis understands that menswear is meant to express the character of the man wearing the clothes," says Mary Lisa Gavenas, author of The Fairchild Encyclopedia of Menswear, before adding: "No rapper-style popewear for him."

Man eats popcorn every day for 20 years; blames buttery flavor for respiratory disease; sues company

A federal judge in Iowa has dismissed a lawsuit brought against microwave popcorn ingredient makers by a Grand Rapids couple who claimed exposure to a buttery flavoring caused the development of a respiratory disease.

On Tuesday, Dec. 24, U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett ruled that David and Barbara Stults were time-barred by Michigan’s three-year statute of limitations on product liability claims.

In August 2011, the couple sued defendants Bush Boake Allen, Inc. and International Flavors & Fragrances, claiming that David Stults developed “popcorn lung” after eating microwave popcorn daily for nearly 20 years.

According to court documents, David Stults was diagnosed in 2009 with bronchiolitis obliterans, also known as “popcorn lung,” a rare disease found in factory workers exposed to high levels of diacetyl, which some companies have added to microwave popcorn to impart a buttery flavor and smell.

The Gingerbread White House

Born without a hand, preschooler gets a Robohand for Christmas from high school robotics team

The robotics team from West Catholic High School gave a 4-year-old Cedar Trails Elementary student the right hand she never had on Thursday, Dec. 19.

"I'm going to paint them (nails) pink," said Harmony Taylor with a big smile as she pulled on each finger of her customized Robohand and strolled around the school media center, getting a feel for the device and using it.

Using it, she easily picked up the gift bag from the West Catholic students who made the device. It included a bottle of pink nail polish.

"I am so excited because this is going to make her more independent," said her mother, Melanie Peterman, who said Harmony was born with a condition called limb differences that resulted in her not having any fingers on her right hand.

Translation hint: “Reno” means “Reindeer”

Bishop Tobin strikes again - this time, blasting Mandela's support for abortion bill

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, today offered the following statement regarding the death of Nelson Mandela.

“Many people around the world and in our own nation are mourning the loss of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Indeed there is much to admire in Mandela’s long life and public service, particularly his personal courage and his stalwart defense of human rights.

There is part of President Mandela’s legacy, however, that is not at all praiseworthy, namely his shameful promotion of abortion in South Africa. In 1996 Mandela promoted and signed into law the “Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Bill” that, according to the New York Times, “replaced one of the world’s toughest abortion laws with one of the most liberal.”

While we pray for the peaceful repose of President Mandela’s immortal soul and the forgiveness of his sins, we can only regret that his noble defense of human dignity did not include the youngest members of our human family, unborn children.”

Wow - Obama at the National Christmas Tree lighting