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October 31, 2007 - Demonstrators have gathered on Freedom Plaza to protest against D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's order to switch from zone to metered cabs. Jessica Golloher reports from Freedom Plaza...
October 31, 2007 - Lots of dangers face kids tonight as they trick or treat, but sex offenders be warned: Local police are looking at you. Started just last year, the Porch Light Out program is an effort to make sure registered sex offenders in the Washington area aren't attracting kids to their door. The project targets around 2,000 sex offenders in Maryland who are under the supervision of the division of parole and probation. That's roughly half the registered sex offenders in the state. And parents can see who lives in their neighborhood. Both Maryland and Virginia post a list of registered sex offenders online by address.
Jeanine Herbst reports...
October 31, 2007 - State archeologists working on the future site of the Intercounty Connector in Montgomery County say they have uncovered prehistoric artifacts dating back as far as 5,000 years. At an undisclosed site somewhere off Georgia Avenue, Ben Pearlmudder sifts handfuls of dirt and rock through a screen. Pearlmudder is one of a dozen or so archaeologists hired by the state to excavate quartz artifacts from the prehistoric land. The site was first discovered in 2003, when a unusually large depot of quartz was uncovered by ICC surveyors. That discovery tipped off the states archaeologists and led to this months dig. Chris Poglaze is the lead investigator at the prehistoric site. He says his team has unearthed conclusive evidence that the quartz in the area was used by Naive Americans for tools and weapons. Poglaze calls the land a "prehistoric hardware store." The archaeologists hope to finish their excavation by the end of this week. Construction for the ICC is set to begin on the land sometime next year.
Patrick Madden reports...
October 31, 2007 - D.C. public school officials want to expand the way sex education is taught. They've unveiled new guidelines they say reflect the health challenges young people face. Obesity, homosexuality and disease prevention, these are some of the sex and physical education issues covered in the D.C. State Board of Education's proposed curriculum changes. The Board is opening its new guidelines to public review before deciding which changes would be made. John Stokes, a spokesperson for the Office of the State Board of Education, says the guidelines come are a collaboration from many community leaders. Under the new standards, eighth graders would be taught the correct way to define sexual orientation. And ninth graders would be taught to analyze trends in contraception and the availability of abortion. Sekou Biddle represents Wards 3 and 4 on the State Board of Education. He says the board has an obligation to teach students the realities of the world they live in. This is the first attempt by D.C. public schools to create comprehensive health standards. A public hearing on the curriculum will be held November 28th. The State Board of Education will vote on the revisions in December.
Katrina Matthews reports...
October 31, 2007 - Prince William County wants a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit challenging its resolution against illegal immigrants. The county says illegal immigration has real world consequences in places where illegals locate. The lawsuit itself was filed by a group of Latino residents who live in the county. They say the resolution brings with it racial discrimination. The measure requires police to check the immigration status of people they detain if they think they may be in the U.S. illegally. A federal judge will now consider the county's request.
Pat Brogan reports...
October 31, 2007 - A coalition of advocacy groups in Maryland says lawmakers must consider several of the state's unmet needs, as they debate whether to raise taxes to close the budget gap. The Alliance for Tax Fairness is releasing what it calls the state's "Top Ten List of Urgent Needs." The organization says lawmakers should work during the special session to raise more revenue and then fund the priorities during the 90-day regular session, which begins in January. One item on the list is expanded health care coverage. Governor Martin O'Malley wants to cover an additional 100,000 residents by expanding Medicaid coverage and by providing subsidies to small business in order to cover workers. Matthew Weinstein, coordinator for the Alliance, says that's a good start, but points out the state has 800,000 uninsured residents and says the goal should be universal coverage. The list of needs also includes better-equipping schools, improving the state's foster care system and ordering more state inspections of assisted-living facilities.
Gene Kuleta reports...
October 31, 2007 - (Oct 31) Synetic Theater kicks off Vampire's Ball at the Rosslyn Spectrum theater tomorrow night with a performance and a party. Following the Halloween performance of Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" patrons can mingle with the hauntingly talented actors and Synetic staff with wine and other fare at Rosslyn Spectrum theater. At this festive yet elegant evening to remember, costumes are welcome and the most creative outfits will win prizes.
(Oct 31) The oldest standing building in DC seems a likely place for paranormal activity and to kick of the Ghosts of Georgetown tour. Walkers will be meeting at the Stone House on M Street in Georgetown every Friday night at 8 p.m. and a special tour is being held tomorrow for Halloween.
(Oct 31) The AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Montgomery County's Silver Spring is showing "Halloween Screams" a film fest of the scariest Halloween movies with the classic Scottish horror film "The Wicker Man" and the original "1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre" running through Wednesday.
October 31, 2007 - A Maryland farmer is happy it's Halloween because that means pumpkin season is over. Halloween marks the last day Jonathan Sadd will sell pumpkins this year. Sadd owns the Country Thyme Farm Market stand that is set up along River Road. He expects to sell most of what is left of his pumpkins, and doesn't want to carry any more than he has to back to his farm. Sadd says when people are ready to dispose of their pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, they should do what he does.
Nicole Back reports...
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