Police Chief, Mexican Consul Meet With Latino Community

March 28, 2008 - In Virginia, the Prince William County police chief met Thursday with the Mexican Embassy's general consul and Latino families to address concerns over the county's new crackdown on illegal immigrants. More than a hundred people packed into an old K-Mart store in Woodbridge to hear police chief Charlie Deane explain the county's new anti-illegal immigration policies. The meeting was organized by Mexican consul Enrique Escorza and it gave many residents a chance to question Deane about the enforcement. Since the crackdown began 26 days ago, the police chief has held nearly 30 community meetings to educate the public on the new measures. But for some in attendance last night, the meeting only raised more questions and concerns over the policy.

Patrick Madden reports...

Abusive Driver Fees Repealed

March 28, 2008 - Virginia's unpopular abusive driver fees are now history. Governor Tim Kaine has signed legislation repealing the legislation.

Anne Marie Morgan reports...

Police Make Arrest in I- 64 Shootings

March 28, 2008 - Police in Virginia say they have arrested a suspect in a series of shootings along Interstate-64. State police say 19-year-old Slade Allen Woodson was arrested early this morning near Crozet at a residence called Yonder Hill Farm, in a rural part of central Virginia. Superintendent Colonel Steven Flaherty says one man there opened fire on police as they served a search warrant, and police returned fire, wounding the armed man. Six vehicles were hit during the gunfire that began early Thursday on Interstate 64. Two people were injured, but their wounds were not life threatening.

Meymo Lyons has more...

Weekend Events a Test for Metro

March 28, 2008 - Metro faces a tall task this weekend. Getting thousands of passengers to three major events in the city. Is there pressure for Metro to carry the thousands heading to the Cherry Blossom Festival, the National Marathon, and the first two games at Nationals Park? Metro general manager John Catoe hopes so. He says his agency does its best when the pressure is on. Catoe does concede there will likely be some delays this weekend because of overcrowded trains, adding if people are patient, they will get to where they are going.

Matt Bush reports...

Loan Program Helps Energy Conservation

March 28, 2008 - Lawmakers in Maryland have approved a new loan program aimed at energy conservation and at honoring a late legislator from Montgomery County. The state Senate has passed a measure that would merge two existing programs to establish the "Jane E. Lawton Loan Program." Lawton, who represented parts of Chevy Chase, Kensington and Silver Spring, died in November at age 63. Senator Rich Madaleno says the new program would combine current Maryland Energy Administration initiatives that allow homeowners, businesses and non-profit groups to get low-interest loans to make energy efficiency upgrades. Madaleno says consolidating the existing programs would streamline the loan process, making it easier to disburse loans. He says naming the program for Lawton would be a fitting tribute because of her work in conservation projects. The House of Delegates has already approved a nearly identical measure.

Gene Kuleta reports form the Maryland State House...

The Circus Comes to D.C.

March 28, 2008 - The circus has come to the district, and criticism with it. Protesters argue that circus elephants are mistreated, while the circus insists it treats the animals well.

Sabri Ben-Achour reports...

WAMU's "Weekend Planner" - In the Garden

March 28, 2008 - We help you get back in your garden today on the "Weekend Planner." Kathy Jentz is the editor of Washington Gardener Magazine. Speaking with David Furst, she says hold off on the planting until we get past the "frost date..."

Art Beat" with Stephanie Kaye - Weekend Events, March 28-30, 2008
Stephanie Kaye

March 28, 2008 - Two "S.W.A.N." Day events unfold this weekend as part of a new international celebration of women artists. S.W.A.N., or "Support Women Artists Now," takes place the last Saturday of Women's History Month.

(Mar 29) GEORGETOWN S.W.A.N. DAY A Champagne Brunch kicks off SWAN events at Cafe La Ruche in Georgetown tomorrow morning at 11:00. The Georgetown Theatre Company is hosting free performances and art exhibits at various locations throughout the day, including a scene from the upcoming production of "The Girl in the Iron Mask" and the comedy routine "Curvy by Nature."

(Mar 29) VENUS' S.W.A.N. DAY "Breaking the Bell Jar", read by author Julianne Homokay, will be followed by two performances of "Measure for Measure" at Venus Theatre`s Laurel, Maryland, stage tomorrow at 11:00 am. "Measure for Measure" features an all-female cast.

(Mar 30) MEET CLARA BARTON A one-woman performance of "Clara Barton - Red Cross Angel" will be at the Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo Park, Maryland, Sunday afternoon at 2:00. Audiences will learn the founder of the Red Cross was a humanitarian, teacher and Civil War nurse, who dodged bullets, traveled the oceans...and even used make-up and hair dye. Actress Mary Ann Jung offers a glimpse of the real woman behind the achievements and an idea of how life was lived in the early 1900s.

(Mar 31) MANGA MEETS MACBETH "Manga Macbeth" comes to the Folger Theater Monday night at 7:30. The play has been boiling, toiling and troubling at the Folger, but it's heading in a new direction as it enters the world of "manga," a genre used in Japanese comic books. Macbeth, Hamlet and even Juliet and her Romeo get a fresh treatment as manga artists share and discuss their work.

New Nationals Ballpark Unveiled

March 28, 2008 - Metro will run extra trains and the Nationals will open their new stadium 2 and a half hours early this weekend to accomodate fans for the first two games at the facility. This park cost 611 million dollars. Whats it bought? A lot of food for starters. It will be more than just hot dogs, peanuts, and crackerjack. Hamburgers, pizza, chicken tenders, burritos, crab-stuffed pretzels, vegetarian hot dogs and all kinds of chili from local vendors like Bens Chili Bowl and Hard Times Cafe. Regardless of whether or not you like the food , Nationals president Stan Kasten wants fans to let them know what they think this weekend. Kasten adds the final touches on the park won`t be finished until the team returns home from its first road trip April 7th. Matt Bush reports