D.C. Council Considers Protected Status For Ex-Offenders

July 03, 2009 - D.C. Councilman Marion Barry is pushing a bill to make ex-offenders a protected class of citizens under the city's Human Rights Act. There are about 60,000 ex-offenders living in D.C. That's about one in 10 District residents.

Barry says these men and women often face discrimination when applying for housing or employment based solely on the fact they have a criminal record. The bill would protect add ex-offenders to the list of protected classes. Other factors covered by the Districts Human Rights Act include race, religion and sexual orientation. Barry is holding a hearing later today on the bill.

Patrick Madden reports...

Judge Allows Suit Again Wells Fargo to Move Forward

July 03, 2009 - A federal judge is allowing a suit brought against Wells Fargo by the city of Baltimore to go forward. Baltimore is accusing Wells Fargo of using racially biased predatory lending practices. The city says the bank targeted African-American borrowers for subprime loans and that many of them ended in foreclosure. The city says those foreclosures cost it tens of millions of dollars in lost property revenues as well as expenses for police, fire and rehab expenses.

Wells Fargo representatives have said the lawsuit lacks merit. But U.S. District Judge Benson Legg rejected the bank's motion to dismiss the suit. He said that Baltimore was entitled to discovery. A hearing is set for July 20th.

Rebecca Blatt reports...

CPSC Says Tough Economic Times Could Lead to More Backyard Fireworks

July 03, 2009 - The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the number of fireworks-related injuries declined last year, but officials say there are plenty of reasons to be extra careful this July 4. It's hard to tell how many injuries or deaths are prevented by the annual demonstration of exploding watermelons and flaming mannequins. But CPSC Chairman Inez Tannenbaum says this display is as important as any that will light the night sky in the coming days. And this year she says expects fewer public, professional fireworks shows, and more of the amateur, backyard variety. The CPSC works with other agencies to stop the spread of illegal fireworks and explosives like the powerful M-1000. In the past couple of years, the federal government has confiscated and destroyed 75 tons of illegal fireworks and dished out $1.5 million in fines. But officials say tracking international sales of illegal fireworks through the internet is still a huge challenge.

Jonathan Wilson reports...

Weekly Chat with The Washington Post

July 03, 2009 - Metro, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine are under scrutiny this week. The Washington Post's Robert McCartney talks with WAMU host Matt Bush about the reasons and ramifications for the controversy.

D.C. Organization Sponsors Free Taxi Rides July 4th

July 03, 2009 - If you've kicked back a few brewskies this Independence Day, one D.C. organization wants to make sure you get home safely. If you're in need of a sober driver this Fourth of July, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program is sponsoring Sober Ride. The free cab ride service is offered to legal drinkers in the Washington metropolitan area. Kurt Erickson is President of the organization. He says the program has been running since 1993. Erickson says Sober Rider usually averages 300 riders every Independence Day. The service runs from 4 pm July 4th to 4 am on July 5th. Anyone interested should call 800 200-TAXI during that time.

Natalie Neumann reports...

Race In Virginia Is Seen As A Bellwether

July 03, 2009 - With gubernatorial races in only two states this year, many analysts are looking at Virginia's campaign for governor as a referendum on the Obama administration. But Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds brushed off persistent talk that the race has any significance beyond the Commonwealth.

Michael Pope reports...

Judge Rejects Constellation Energy Appeal

July 03, 2009 - Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley says he is pleased a Baltimore judge dismissed an appeal by Constellation Energy, which disagrees that state regulators should be able to review a proposed deal with France's Edf. O'Malley said he remains focused on ensuring the $4.5 billion deal is in the public interest and protects ratepayers. Constellation says it believes the pending deal does not require state approval. The judge ruled Thursday that Constellation cannot appeal the Public Service Commission's decision to review the deal that is in the works. EdF is seeking to buy up nearly half of Constellation's nuclear operations. Constellation says the decision violates the letter and spirit of an agreement with state lawmakers to allow such deals.

Meymo Lyons reports...

Animal Shelter Prepares For Runaway Pets After Fourth Of July Fireworks

July 03, 2009 - Nearly every dog cage at the Humane Society's New York Avenue Shelter in Northeast D.C. is occupied. The shelter's director, Nick Gilman, expects more dogs will be coming his way this weekend.

"Fourth of July is fun for us," he says. "But the dogs and cats in our homes don't celebrate fourth of July the way we do. So as a result, all they are is confused."

Gilman says many pets run away from their homes on the holiday. Some come home, but many never make it.

"Our recommendation is very simple," Gilman says. "Just keep your dog or your cat locked in some part of the house that isn't going to hear the fireworks as much and in which they won't have a likelihood of escaping."

Gilman also says you should place your dogs in a room where they can't hurt themselves if they become agitated.

David Schultz reports...

Power Breakfast - July 3, 2009

July 03, 2009 - Elizabeth Wynne Johnson has a story about buried treasure, directly underfoot at one of the most recognizable spots in the nation's capital.

O'Malley Uses Clemency Power For Second Time in Two Weeks

July 03, 2009 - Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has granted pardons to former convicts for the second time in two weeks. As of the end of May, O'Malley has only used his clemency powers two release two prisoners. Both were suffering from AIDS. But The Baltimore Sun reports that O'Malley pardoned seven other ex-convicts last month, and another 6 yesterday. Their crimes included minor thefts, disorderly conducts and marijuana possession. Only one had served jail time, and that was 7 days for petty theft.

O'Malley has said he's unlikely to use his clemency powers liberally. It's a big change from his Republican predecessor. Governor Robert Ehrlich pardoned or commuted the sentences of 249 people during his single term.

Rebecca Blatt reports...

First Fireworks at Mount Vernon
Stephanie Kaye

July 03, 2009 - Mount Vernon is getting in on the Fourth of July festivities with a fireworks display this year. And viewers will not have to wait until the sun goes down to enjoy the light show. For the first time, Mount Vernon will hold a display over the Potomac River, kicking off at 12:45 Saturday afternoon.

Stephanie Kaye has more...

Effects of Supreme Court Felt in Virginia
Bill Redlin

July 03, 2009 - A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the constitution's confrontation clause is already being felt in Virginia.

Bill Redlin reports...

Metrorail Updates for Holiday Riders
Stephanie Kaye

July 03, 2009 - More than 500,000 riders will use Metrorail to converge on the National Mall for Fourth of July fireworks and Metro is asking riders for help managing the flow.

Mana Rabiee reports...

AAA: Overall Holiday Travel to Drop as Air Travel is on the Rise

July 03, 2009 - Uncertainty about the economy could cause more people to spend this weekend close to home in the Washington area -- according to AAA Mid Atlantic.

The transportation monitoring agency expects the number of area residents traveling more than 50 miles from home to drop about 2 percent from last Fourth of July. And on the eve of Independence Day the same trend seemed to apply to visitors on the National Mall.

As auto travel decreases, air travel - thanks to competitive ticket pricing - is expected to rebound.

Jonathan Wilson reports...

"Next Dimension" Offering Vittles and Vets
Stephanie Kaye

July 03, 2009 - A restaurant near Hagerstown is now offering vet services. When you go to "Next Dimensions Restaurant" in Funkstown to grab a burger or a crab cake, you can also get your pet spayed or neutered. The unusual combination of services is being offered by the restaurant and Promise Animal League Inc.

Stephanie Kaye has more...

More People Flying, but Not to National Mall

July 03, 2009 - The number of Americans taking to the skies this July the 4th weekend should be up according to Triple-A. But that may not add up to bigger crowds on the National Mall.

Jonathan Wilson reports...

Is Virginia's New Anti-Texting Law Enforceable?

July 02, 2009 - Arlington Police Officer Dee Stright patrols the streets of Crystal City, looking for bad drivers. She's been briefed about the new anti-texting law, but she's not sure how it will work when she pulls someone over.

"I think it's probably going to have to be a consent-type thing," she says. "You can ask to see their phone. If they say no, your hands are tied."

Stright says she thinks the text-ban law is too vague as it's currently written. She says it will be easy for anyone who gets cited to go to court and get their $20 fine overturned.

"How are we going to prove that they were texting?" she asks. "It comes down to, are we going to subpoena phone records, text records? I mean, how far are we going to go to enforce this?"

The sponsor of the anti-texting law, Del. John Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake), could not be reached for comment.

David Schultz reports...

"Conversations"...Michael Cottman speaks with Dr. Marjorie Innocent

July 02, 2009 - As part of our continuing series "Conversations," reporter Michael Cottman speaks with Dr. Marjorie Innocent, director of research and programs at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C., about the foundation's national HIV/AIDS awareness initiative.

D.C. Councilman Wants Cap on Cab Drivers

July 02, 2009 - A D.C. lawmaker wants to cap the number of taxi drivers operating in the city. With 8,000 licensed cabs and 1000 more on the way, Councilman Jim Graham says the city has more taxis per capita than anywhere else in the world. That's great if you're trying to hail a cab, but Graham says its crippling business for drivers. Graham is introducing legislation to look at how the city can limit the number of cab drivers. The councilman says he would support a medallion or certificate system.

Patrick Madden reports...

Homelessness Isn't Just for Adults
Sabri Ben-Achour

July 02, 2009 - Veggie burgers and patties are grilling at the Sasha Bruce House in Northeast D.C. The party was put on by Stubbs Barbecue Sauce, whose founder was homeless himself before building a barbecue empire. Some kids are playing basketball, others Jeopardy. A lot of different things bring young people to this place. It's a resource for homeless kids and runaways. Some children here have been rescued from the sex trade. Some come because their families just can't take care of them. A few have been thrown out of their homes for being gay. Here they get counseling, housing, help with pregnancy, classes on things like how to cook or be a parent.

Sabri Ben-Achour reports...

D.C. Homeless Pay Tribute to Michael Jackson

July 02, 2009 - Several days a week, people from across the city line up in the basement of the First Church of Seventh-Day Adventists in Petworth for a free lunch and fellowship. Volunteer Rocky Twyman says he also wanted to give the homeless a chance to celebrate Michael Jackson's life.

Larry Foster-El, who spends his nights on a park bench near the Watergate, says Jackson did a lot to help those in need. And with that, Melville Moses Andrade, pastor of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Silver Spring, raises his voice in memory of the musician.

Organizers say they plan to send the condolence book to Jackson's family.

Jessica Gould reports...

Pool Safety Advocates Remind Parents to Keep a Watchful Eye

July 02, 2009 - Swimming pools around the region are sure to draw large crowds this holiday weekend. Pool safety advocates urge parents to keep their eyes on their children.

Seven-year-old Alex Conkey tip-toes to the edge of the pool and bends her knees. Her mom, Karen Conkey, stands in the pool with her arms open.

Conkey says Alex isn't a strong swimmer yet, but she is practicing her stroke for her summer camp's swim test.

"I don't like to let her out of my sight, so you've seen me," she says. "I've been swimming with her. It might be a bit overprotective, but I think it's better than not."

Ellen Jones leads the YMCA's team of lifeguards. To prepare for the crowds this weekend, Jones will give each child a colored wrist band so her guards know who can swim and, more importantly, who belongs in the shallow end. She says parents should make sure young children wear approved flotation devices -- and water wings don't cut it. Jones says look for the tag.

"Somewhere there should be a rectangular square that says U.S. Coast Guard-approved. That will keep your child's head above water. However that doesn't mean you can just put that on and leave them in the pool," says Jones.

Jones adds that all backyard pools should have a locking gate.

David Klatt has this story from the pool deck at the YMCA in Alexandria, Va....

Power Breakfast - July 2, 2009

July 02, 2009 - The Capitol Visitors Center opened in December, but that hasn't stopped lawmakers from squabbling about it. Elizabeth Wynne Johnson has more...

Former Congressman On Trial

July 02, 2009 - Prosecutors are playing audiotapes of former Congressman William Jefferson talking with a woman about business deals he is accused of brokering in exchange for bribes. Jefferson's conversations with businesswoman Lori Mody were recorded in 2005 in restaurants in Washington and northern Virginia. Authorities say Mody approached federal agents after becoming suspicious, and they say Mody agreed to wear a wire. Federal agents eventually videotaped her giving Jefferson a suitcase stuffed with $100,000 cash at a hotel. Jefferson is on trial in U.S. District Court. He's accused of receiving more than $400,000 in bribes in return for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa.

Meymo Lyons reports...

Homeless Advocates Say Economy Causing Overcrowding at Shelters

July 02, 2009 - Homeless advocates in D.C. say the economy has pushed many shelters beyond their capacity this summer. After the chanting and a few short speeches, this crowd of about 50 homeless individuals and advocates headed into City Hall to hand deliver a letter to city council and Mayor Adrian Fenty. The letter urges city leaders to put more effort into safe and secure emergency housing for homeless. It points to data from the month of May, showing that emergency shelters were in overflow mode for 18 of 31 nights.

Nassim Moshiree is a staff attorney with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. She says Fenty's focus on permanent housing is admirable but needs to be better balanced with more shelters for those with immediate needs. Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells tracks intake data for shelters across the city. He says the situation is different among the various parts of the homeless population.

"We're not in the crisis mode for men. We are at capacity for women, and I believe we are a little over capacity for families," Wells says.

In past years, homeless advocates say demand for shelter decreases in warm weather, but a recent survey by the Homeless Emergency response work group shows that hasn't happened in 2009.

Jonathan Wilson reports...

New Laws Take Effect in Virginia
Stephanie Kaye

July 01, 2009 - New laws take effect today in Virginia, from drivers who are young to drivers who "text." The state is sending its own message: put the phone down or pay up. It's banning texting and emailing while driving with a $20 penalty for the first offense. But police cannot pull drivers over just for texting. The driver must be making another violation before being cited.

A ban on smoking will not take effect until December 1st. But starting today, stores that sell novelty cigarette lighters to juveniles could face a $100 fine.

And those minors will have to attend school to stay on the road. Students can have their driver's licenses suspended for missing 10 consecutive days of school.

Stephanie Kaye reports...

Virginia Enacts New Rules on Guns
Stephanie Kaye

July 01, 2009 - Virginia is liberalizing some of its gun laws starting today. Local police and municipalities are being required to attempt to sell the guns they collect in buyback programs. The new law exempts machine guns and sawed-off shotguns from resale.

Opponents argued this new law defeats the purpose of the buyback programs to give gun owners money for unwanted weapons and to get guns off the streets. The sales must be made to licensed gun sellers.

It's also easier for gun owners to get a "concealed carry" permit. Lawmakers overrode a veto by Gov. Tim Kaine, making it possible for people to complete the required firearms training online or by video instead of in person. Kaine objected to the legislation, saying there was no way to prove the person applying for the permit is the one who completes the course.

Stephanie Kaye reports...

Metro Planning For BRAC At National Naval Medical Center
Matt Bush

July 01, 2009 - Ridership on Metro's Red Line is expected to jump considerably when expansions are completed at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. Metro's Medical Center station is expected to see a massive surge in traffic due to the 3,000 workers who will be moved to the hospital in 2011. The agency is working on ways to make sure that doesn't affect already congested vehicle traffic on Rockville Pike, which runs in front of the hospital.

Matt Bush reports...

District Seeks Embezzled Money from Bank
Sabri Ben-Achour

July 01, 2009 - The mastermind behind the largest embezzlement scheme in D.C.'s history has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, but the District is still trying to recover some of it's losses from Bank of America.

From 1989 to 2007, Harriette Walters wrote herself $48 million in fraudulent tax refunds as a manager in D.C.'s tax office. Much of that money went to jewelry, clothing and gambling trips. In the charges filed against her, the District cited all the things that money could have gone to: programs to reduce homelessness, modernize 22 elementary schools or treat drug addicts.

Peter Nickles is Attorney General for the District. He says the District will be lucky if it gets back $8 million. Nickles has filed suit against Bank of America for $100 million, because one of its managers was a key co-conspirator. Bank of America wants to resolve the dispute through arbitration rather than remain in D.C. courts, where Nickles says it could be exposed to more liability.

A ruling on that question is expected in the coming days.

Sabri Ben-Achour reports....

Power Breakfast - July 1, 2009

July 01, 2009 - Elizabeth Wynn Johnson has "deep thoughts" on Al Franken's freshman year in the Senate and a preview of President Obama's upcoming forum on health care in Virginia.

Blair Ewing, Noted Public Servant From Montgomery County, Dies at 75

July 01, 2009 - Blair Ewing, a member of Maryland's School board and a former member of the Montgomery County Council, has died. Ewing also served 22 years on the Montgomery County Board of Education, where he advocated desegregating schools and improving conditions for students from less privileged families. He served on the County Council from 1998-2002 and was appointed to the Maryland State Board of Education in 2007. In a statement, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett praised Ewing's honesty and integrity and what he called Ewing's "doggedness in pursuing the common good." Leggett ordered county flags to be flown at half-mast to honor Ewing, who was 75. He died Monday, reportedly of cancer.

Matt McCleskey reports...

Metro Driver Hailed As Hero

July 01, 2009 - The driver of a Metro train that was hit from behind in a crash that killed nine people says the driver of the other train saved lives with her actions. Brian Brooks was stopped on June 22 when a train operated by Jeanice McMillan smashed into his. McMillan and eight passengers died. Federal investigators have said there's evidence McMillan applied an emergency brake before the crash. They're looking at an automatic system designed to prevent crashes.

At McMillan's funeral in her hometown of Buffalo, New York, Brooks limped to the lectern and in a steady voice told hundreds of mourners: "She saved lives." Others also called the 42-year-old McMillan a hero during the two-hour funeral. Her 19-year-old son Jordan was among those gathered.

Meymo Lyons reports...

Metro's "NextBus" to Give Real-Time Arrivals
Stephanie Kaye

July 01, 2009 - Metro is making another attempt to offer riders real-time information on buses via cell phone and computer.

The service is called "NextBus," and it tracks all of Metro's 12,000 bus stops over 355 routes. The service lets riders know when buses will arrive via phone, online or through electronic signs at the stops themselves.

Metro had tested the real-time program two years ago, but it was suspended because the system was only 80 percent accurate. This time around, officials are aiming for a 90 percent accuracy rate. Stephanie Kaye reports...

D.C. Ex-Offenders Want Protection Against Bias

July 01, 2009 - Ex-offenders in the District are lobbying for protection under the city's Human Rights Act. At least 100 ex-offenders and their family members rallied outside City Hall earlier today. They were pushing for a bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their criminal record.

Inside City Hall, the former head of D.C.'s Office of Ex-Offender Affairs, Rodney Mitchell, told the D.C. Council that those returning from prison face numerous barriers. Barbara Lang, head of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, is critical of the measure. She says the business community is not opposed to hiring ex-offenders. Instead, she says, the city should focus on job training, education and other social services for ex-offenders.

Patrick Madden reports...

Second Swine Flu Case in Virginia
Stephanie Kaye

July 01, 2009 - Virginia health officials have confirmed the second death in the state related to the swine flu. Virginia's State Health Commissioner says that, while the cause of death as not been confirmed, the H1N1 virus appears to have been a factor.

Stephanie Kaye has more...

Investigators Say Metro Signalling System Failed Days Before Crash

July 01, 2009 - Federal investigators say the Automatic Train Control System of D.C.'s public transit rail system failed before last week's crash.

The Metro signaling system is supposed to detect passing trains and transmit speed and stop commands. But National Transportation Safety Board investigators say problems began when a piece of equipment was replaced near the crash site five days before the June 22 collision.

Metro's Lisa Farbstein says the problem was so intermittent -- she called it a flickering -- that it was practically undetectable. She says Metro is now conducting the 30-day system overview that detected the problem on a much more regular basis.

Jonathan Wilson reports...

Health Officials Issue Warning After Summer's First Heat Related Deaths

July 01, 2009 - Maryland health officials are warning residents to take precautions to deal with summer heat following two heat-related deaths. Health officials say a 23-month-old Howard County child died after being left for hours in a car seat, and a 74-year-old Prince George's man with heart problems was found inside a home where the temperature had risen to more than 99 degrees.

Health officials say the young, the old and those with chronic health problems are more likely to be affected by the heat, and they remind residents not to leave children and pets in cars, even if the windows are left slightly open. Elderly and chronically ill people should also be visited frequently.

Meymo Lyons reports...

First Lady Promotes Local Health Clinic

June 30, 2009 - The White House says it wants community health centers that serve the poor to play a larger role in health care reform, and the administration is highlighting the efforts of a local clinic.

Space is at a premium at the Unity Health Cares Upper Cardozo clinic in Columbia Heights. The bustling, four-story facility in Northwest D.C. is packed with patients, and they're lucky. Each day, around 400 people call for appointments, and the clinic can only see about 175 of them. Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama visited the clinic and announced it had been awarded a $2.5 million grant to renovate and build around 20 new examination rooms. The money is from the federal stimulus package, but it's also part of the White Houses effort to trim health care costs by focusing on preventive care. Upper Cardozo sees nearly 20,000 patients a year. Officials with the center say the stimulus funding will boost their capacity by about a third.

Patrick Madden reports...

Rapid-Bus Transit Could Be Coming To Montgomery County
Matt Bush

June 30, 2009 - The key to getting more cars off the roads in Montgomery County may be getting more buses on them. The county is studying whether to have a system of bus-rapid transit. BRT means buses would travel in dedicated lanes to keep them out of traffic and going faster. It would also mimic rail systems like Metro, where riders would pay at stations rather than on the bus itself. Councilman Marc Elrich says the county is studying the possibility of BRT on Viers Mill Road and Georgia Avenue by using the median areas of each road. If the study shows BRT would work on Georgia and Viers Mill, the county will then look at adding it in other places, such as Rockville Pike and the Intercounty Connector.

Matt Bush reports...

D.C. Used-Car Dealers Plead for Patience in Wake of New Rules

June 30, 2009 - Used car dealers in the District continue to receive warnings from Mayor Adrian Fenty's Administration to clean up their ugly lots or get out. But struggling business owners argue some new rules are too much too soon. More than 70 used-car lot owners have been shutdown by D.C.'s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs for failure to comply with new regulations. D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles calls these businesses eye-sores.

"You've seen all kinds of cars and rat harborage, and various kinds of trucks up on cement blocks. That's at an end," Nickles said.

The new rules call for fewer cars on each lot, and the dealer must work out of a permanent office on the property. Sohteany Leas runs L.J. Automotive, a repair shop with a handful of cars for sale in Northwest D.C.'s Brightwood neighborhood. His is one of a dozen used-car lots working to clean up shop. Leas says he's done his best to comply with new rules, but District officials now say he needs a $100,000 insurance bond to remain open.

"It's like double, almost triple," Leas says. "We won't get the bond because you ask for credit line for one hundred thousand dollars from the bank. Nobody will approve for you. They in risk too."

Nickles acknowledges the bond is a road block for several legitimate but struggling businesses. As enforcement continues through the summer, the Attorney General says his office will work to negotiate with any owner who makes a good-faith effort to reform.

David Klatt reports...

Groups Sue Over Chesapeake Pollution
Sabri Ben-Achour

June 30, 2009 - The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is challenging Virginia's decision to allow pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co., Inc., to increase the amount of pollution it dumps into the Shenandoah river. In April, the Virginia State Water Control Board decided to allow the company to dump an additional 29,000 pounds of nitrogen and 3,000 pounds of phosphorous into the Shenandoah River, which ultimately pours into the Chesapeake. Merck has a plant in Elkton, Va. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Virginia State Waterman's association have both sued the state to have that decision overturned. They argue that the decision violates the overall nutrient cap for the river basin and harms the bay because there weren't any offsetting reductions in pollution elsewhere. Nitrogen and phosphorous can feed algae that bloom and then die, eventually starving bay water of oxygen. The State Attorney General's office said it didn't comment on ongoing cases.

Sabri Ben-Achour reports...

Power Breakfast - June 30, 2009

June 30, 2009 - The lawmakers who are rewriting financial regulations are among the top recipients of donations from those industries. Elizabeth Wynn Johnson looks at the roles those contributions may play in policy development...

Virginia Sends Almost All State Tax Refunds

June 30, 2009 - It's been more than two months since tax day, and most Virginians expecting refunds on state income taxes have now received them. Governor Tim Kaine says Virginia's Department of Taxation has issued more than 2.6 million refunds, totaling more than $1.6 billion. He says the state's emphasis on electronic filing has made processing returns simpler this year. About 63 percent of returns were filed electronically, that's up from last year. Officials say that has allowed the department to get most refunds out in less than two weeks and to have almost all sent out within 30 days. The average refund so far this year in Virginia has been about $627.

Matt McCleskey has more...

Mother Accuses Guards of Killing Son, Files suit
Sabri Ben-Achour

June 30, 2009 - The mother of Ronnie White, the young man who was found dead in his jail cell in Prince George's County, is filing suit against the county and law enforcement. Almost exactly one year ago, 19-year-old Ronnie White was arrested under suspicion of running down a police officer in his car. Two days later, he was found dead in his jail cell. An autopsy report said he'd been assaulted, strangled with a sheet or "the crux of an elbow." A prison guard's union argued it was a suicide. A grand jury failed to issue an indictement.

The case now rests with the Justice department. Today, White's mother, Angela White, is filing a 12-count civil suit against the county and several corrections officers. She accuses guards of attacking and strangling her son to death, and she is seeking $153 million in compensation and punitive damages.

Sabri Ben-Achour reports...

Flurry Of Votes By Montgomery County Council
Matt Bush

June 30, 2009 - The Montgomery County Council rejected one controversial plan, approved another and delayed a vote on a third. Council OK'd expanding the number of speed cameras in the county from 36 to 60, even though, as Council Vice President Roger Berliner says, many residents don't like them. Council members believe the cameras have decreased speeding, while critics feel they are just a way for the county to raise revenues.

Increasing the number of speed bumps on county roads won't happen soon. The Council delayed voting on that until the end of the year. And County Executive Isiah Leggett's plan to start charging ambulance user fees went down on a vote of 5-3.

Matt Bush reports...

Holocaust Museum Shooter Unfit for Court
Stephanie Kaye

June 30, 2009 - Prosecutors say the man accused of fatally shooting a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is in no condition to come to court. A doctor with the D.C. Department of Corrections says 88-year-old James von Brunn is still in the hospital after being shot in the face by guards at the Holocaust Museum. Von Brunn faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of museum guard Stephen T. Johns. A new hearing has been scheduled for July 10th.

Stephanie Kaye has more...

Mastermind Behind Massive Tax Fraud Sentenced
Sabri Ben-Achour

June 30, 2009 - From 1989 to 2007, Harriette Walters wrote herself fraudulent tax refunds as a manager in D.C.'s tax office. In total, she stole more than $48 million from the District and spent it lavishly on jewelry, clothing and gambling trips. Walters pleaded guilty in September to wire fraud, money laundering and other charges and has been in jail since her arrest in 2007. She was sentenced today to 17 and a half years, and she was ordered to pay $64 million in back taxes and restitution.

Assistant Executive U.S. Attorney John Roth says D.C. won't get all of it back.

"We've done as much as we can to recover that money for tax payers," he says.

In total about 10 million of the nearly 50 million in stolen funds has been recovered.

Sabri Ben-Achour reports...

Mother Sues Prince George's County Over Son's Death in Jail

June 30, 2009 - Nearly one year ago, Ronnie White was found dead in a Prince George's County jail cell, just two days after he allegedly ran over a police officer with a stolen truck. Today, his mother filed a lawsuit against the county. Angela White, Ronnie's mother, blames the director of the county's correctional center, Mary Lou McDonough, as well as several guards. Hassan Murphy, White's attorney, says his client seeks nearly $154 million in damages.

"This is a tragic event," he says. "It is an event that shocked the state, the county, the country. And we ask for damages that shocked the state, shock the county and shock the country."

The state medical examiner ruled White was strangled and declared the death a homicide. But a grand jury failed to indict. Angela White's lawyers say they are skeptical of evidence used to make that decision.

Glenn Ivey is the state's attorney for Prince George's County.

"I haven't tried to cover anything up," Ivey says. "That's why we asked the Department of Justice to come and help. We turned over all the evidence we have to them."

The lawsuit accuses county officials of excessive force and gross negligence while White was in custody.

David Klatt reports...

Effort To Block Gay Marriage Law Rejected By D.C. Judge

June 30, 2009 - The latest effort to stop a D.C. law recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states has failed. A D.C. Superior Court judge is denying a request to push back the start date of the law and rejecting an attempt by gay marriage opponents to put the measure before D.C. voters.

In May, the D.C. Council passed the same-sex marriage recognition bill. A group of area clergy opposed the bill and tried to have a referendum on the issue. Earlier this month, the city's elections board said the ballot measure would violate the Districts Human Rights Act. Monday's ruling upholds that decision. Referendum supporters can file an appeal, but time is running out. The law is scheduled to take effect next week.

Patrick Madden reports...

Metro GM: Manual Mode to Continue Until Experts Evaluate Automatic System

June 30, 2009 - Metro General Manager John Catoe says about 65 percent of the Metro's track circuits have been inspected and found free of malfunction. Catoe says inspections of the track circuits will continue over the next few days.

The National Transportation Safety Board has yet to release its report on the June 22 crash, but Catoe says it's clear that a track circuit, part of Metro's Automatic Train Control system, failed to do it's job. Catoe says, because of that, Metro trains will continue to operate in manual mode indefinitely.

"We will not put our trains back into automatic mode until we have a group of train signal experts from outside metro come and evaluate our system and our procedures for using it," he says.

Catoe also said most of the 1000-series train cars, the kind involved in the collision, have now been moved to the center of metro trains. He stressed that funding remains the only obstacle to replacing the aging 1000-series cars.

Jonathan Wilson reports...