NEW YORK (AP) — Yahoo News fired its Washington bureau chief on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after he was caught on an open microphone saying that Mitt Romney and his wife, at the GOP convention in Florida while a hurricane was approaching Louisiana, were "happy to have a party with black people drowning."
Company spokeswoman Anne Espiritu said Wednesday that David Chalian's remark was inappropriate and does not represent Yahoo's views.
"We have already reached out to the Romney campaign, and we apologize to Mitt Romney, his staff, their supporters and anyone who was offend," she said.
Chalian made the remark during a hot-mic moment before Yahoo began its live coverage of the GOP convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday evening. Yahoo is streaming coverage in association with ABC News.
The website Newsbusters posted a copy of the video and the audio. The video showed Ann and Mitt Romney while the audio picked up background conversation, not all of it intelligible, about the GOP convention taking place as Hurricane Isaac hit the Louisiana coast.
Someone makes a remark, "they're not concerned at all." In a clearer voice, Chalian says, "they are happy to have a party with black people drowning."
Rescuers in boats and trucks plucked a handful of people who became stranded by floodwaters in thinly populated areas of southeast Louisiana during the storm. But only one death had been reported as the hurricane plodded across the state, that of a man who authorities said had gone to help friends move a vehicle from under a tree and fell after climbing 18 feet up it.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:07:26 GMT
It's not unusual for a cat to get a hairball, but a 400-pound tiger needed help from veterinary surgeons in Florida when he couldn't hack up a basketball-size hairball by himself.
It's not unusual for a cat to get a hairball, but a 400-pound tiger needed help from veterinary surgeons in Florida when he couldn't hack up a basketball-size hairball by himself.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:29 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:29:45 GMT
A man was fatally shot when a team of FBI agents swarmed an apartment complex near Universal Studios in Orlando. The shooting happened early Wednesday.
A man was fatally shot when a team of FBI agents swarmed an apartment complex near Universal Studios in Orlando. The shooting happened early Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 10:45:29 GMT
Survivors of the tornado in Oklahoma are beginning the deliberate process of assessing what's left of their homes and possessions and what comes next.
Survivors of the tornado in Oklahoma are beginning the deliberate process of assessing what's left of their homes and possessions and what comes next. The twister killed at least 24 people, destroyed countless homes and reduced one elementary school almost entirely to rubble, killing seven children inside.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:05 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:05:14 GMT
Experts say that teens aren't just leaving Facebook for just Twitter; they're leaving Facebook for numerous other social media sites as well because for them Facebook just isn't as cool anymore. The study
Experts say that teens aren't just leaving Facebook for just Twitter; they're leaving Facebook for numerous other social media sites as well because for them Facebook just isn't as cool anymore. The study
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:53:47 GMT
(AP Photo Sue Ogrocki)
Rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives, including those of nine children.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:50 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:50:15 GMT
A massive tornado devastated parts of Oklahoma on Monday. It destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing dozens of people. If you would like to help those in need, you can donate to relief organizations.
A massive tornado devastated parts of Oklahoma on Monday. It destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing dozens of people. If you would like to help those in need, you can donate to relief organizations.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:19:47 GMT
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open public meetings.
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open public meetings.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:06 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:06:33 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
