Laura T. Coffey

Man finds first Superman comic stuffed in wall

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:35:43 -0400

Man finds first Superman comic stuffed in wall:

As he was gutting a house in Elbow Lake, Minn., David Gonzalez, 34, made a startling discovery: In among the old newspapers insulating a wall was an original Action Comics No. 1 book from June 1938. On the cover, a brand new character wore a flowing red cape and lifted a car over his head: Superman.

‘A hot meal can make people cry’: BBQ volunteers comfort Oklahoma victims

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:40:00 -0400

‘A hot meal can make people cry’: BBQ volunteers comfort Oklahoma victims:

Barbecue aficionados and local businesses are bringing comfort to victims of the Oklahoma tornado with classic American cuisine, with plans to serve up hundreds of thousands of free meals. “Barbecue reminds people of the good times,” said one volunteer.

Woman left in dumpster as a newborn: I forgive my birth mom

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:11:59 -0400

Woman left in dumpster as a newborn: I forgive my birth mom:

On the day she was born, Rachael Clark, now 23, was found sealed inside a plastic garbage bag in a dumpster. Despite crippling anxiety as a child, she has a wedding and a bright future ahead, but still wants to find her birth parents “to tell them I forgive them.”

Hey, high-achieving women! Here's how perfectionism holds you back

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:28:00 -0400

Hey, high-achieving women! Here's how perfectionism holds you back:

If the words “good enough” make you cringe, you may be suffering from a form of the same modern-day malady that affects most high-achieving women (and men!) in the year 2013.

Xena the Warrior Puppy, saved from abuse, helps 8-year-old boy with autism

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:43:20 -0400

Xena the Warrior Puppy, saved from abuse, helps 8-year-old boy with autism:

For most of his life, Jonny Hickey was quiet and withdrawn — but not anymore. Here is the story of how a mistreated dog and a misunderstood boy found, and rescued, each other.

'A distraction from reality': Comfort dogs bring peace to Boston victims

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:34:00 -0400

'A distraction from reality': Comfort dogs bring peace to Boston victims:

Of all the traits that make dogs special, here’s one of the best: They don’t judge you when you cry. For that reason, specially trained therapy dogs are making bedside visits to dozens of hospitalized victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Boston marathoner Dick Hoyt, 72: 'We can't let this stop us'

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:58:00 -0400

Boston marathoner Dick Hoyt, 72: 'We can't let this stop us':

All 1,091 races completed by Dick and Rick Hoyt have been special, but Monday’s Boston Marathon was a crowning achievement for the father-and-son team. Then, at the 25-mile marker, their jubilant day devolved into chaos.

Dad, 72, races in nearly 1,100 events with disabled son

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:59:00 -0400

Dad, 72, races in nearly 1,100 events with disabled son:

Dick and Rick Hoyt are about to be honored with a life-sized bronze statue at the starting line of the Boston Marathon. The statue captures the father and son running “for the people who think they can’t run.”

Holy Peeps! Elaborate candy creations hop to silly heights

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 06:56:00 -0400

Holy Peeps! Elaborate candy creations hop to silly heights:

Binders full of Peeps? PeepsCasso? “Life of Pie”? A beloved marshmallow treat provides the perfect artistic medium for funny, creative types.

John Edwards' eldest daughter: I was mad, 'devastated' about affair

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:52:00 -0400

John Edwards' eldest daughter: I was mad, 'devastated' about affair:

In an exclusive TODAY interview, the eldest daughter of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards talks to Savannah Guthrie about her family, her late mother’s legacy and Rielle Hunter.

China’s Peng Liyuan and other stylish first ladies who dazzle with glamour

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:46:00 -0400

China’s Peng Liyuan and other stylish first ladies who dazzle with glamour:

First ladies are in a unique position to advocate an agenda — and look stylish while doing so. Here are some wives of presidents and prime ministers who have been turning heads.

‘Be strong, be gentle’: Remembering a 99-year-old female judo master

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:00:32 -0400

‘Be strong, be gentle’: Remembering a 99-year-old female judo master:

At age 98, Keiko Fukuda became the first and only woman to attain judo’s highest honor: a 10th-degree black belt. As her memorial service approaches on March 22, we take a look back at her life and accomplishments.

Boy, 6, writes book, raises $92,000 for best pal's rare disease

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:29:54 -0500

Boy, 6, writes book, raises $92,000 for best pal's rare disease:

Dylan Siegel, 6, decided to help his best friend, Jonah Pournazarian, 7, who has a rare liver disease: He’d write a book and make heaps of money to help find a cure. So far, he’s raised $92,000.

Teen's chilly 10-mile trek for job leads to Internet fame

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:37:19 -0500

Teen's chilly 10-mile trek for job leads to Internet fame:

You know those stories your grandparents told about trudging to school or work through the snow? The other day an 18-year-old braved just such a slog — and it changed his life forever.

On Valentine's Day, Romneys welcome 19th and 20th grandchildren

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:05:01 -0500

On Valentine's Day, Romneys welcome 19th and 20th grandchildren:

Mitt and Ann Romney are grandparents! Again! On Thursday, Ann Romney took to Twitter to announce the birth of twins born to the Romneys’ son, Craig Romney, and his wife, Mary.

A mother's love gets son's book published after his death

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:53:01 -0500

A mother's love gets son's book published after his death:

While in his mid-20s, Phillip Bennett wrote an intensely personal account of living with a rare and incurable neuromuscular disease. He didn’t live long enough to see his book in print – but it still got published, thanks to the tireless efforts of his mom.

Brrrrrilliant: Snowshoe artist makes massive, magnificent creations with his feet

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:13:00 -0500

Brrrrrilliant: Snowshoe artist makes massive, magnificent creations with his feet:

Artist Simon Beck is growing in fame for his signature “crop circles” in the snow. The 54-year-old spends his winters tromping in snowshoes in Savoie, France, crafting snow art that appears almost other-worldly.

'Kid President,' 9, is on a mission: To make grown-ups less boring

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:06:13 -0500

'Kid President,' 9, is on a mission: To make grown-ups less boring:

This bundle of cuteness in a fancy suit has been addressing the nation for months in hilarious online videos. Now his “pep talk” for downtrodden adults has become an Internet sensation.

Cuteness overload: Shetland ponies wear Shetland wool sweaters on Shetland Isles

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:24:15 -0500

Cuteness overload: Shetland ponies wear Shetland wool sweaters on Shetland Isles:

Michelle Obama favors Jason Wu, and Duchess Kate fancies Alexander McQueen. But in a high-fashion horse race, even they might have trouble coming in ahead of these Shetland ponies rocking custom wool sweaters.

Prince Harry: Killing Taliban 'a job' that needed to be done

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:59:57 -0500

Prince Harry: Killing Taliban 'a job' that needed to be done:

Upon returning home to Britain Wednesday after a 20-week tour of duty in Afghanistan, Prince Harry made headlines yet again — this time for his comments about killing Taliban fighters.