Firefighter Charged With Arson in Montgomery County

May 15, 2008 - A volunteer firefighter has been charged with two counts of arson in Montgomery County, Md. Officials suspect 19-year-old Thomas Walter of the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department lit two fires in Montgomery Village. The first was in a shed on a golf course in March, and the second was on the deck of a townhouse Tuesday. The firefighter was initially questioned after the first incident and was charged this week. He faces counts of first- and second-degree arson as well as reckless endangerment.

Rebecca Blatt has details...

D.C. Schools Buildings Named on Endangered Buildings List

May 15, 2008 - Eighty-six D.C. Public Schools buildings are named on this year's Most Endangered Places list. The list, published each year by Washington's Preservation League, includes historically, culturally or architecturally significant places that are threatened by neglect, abandonment or demolition. The League says years of budget cuts, deferred maintenance and now closures have threatened the D.C. Schools buildings.

Mayor Adrian Fenty says he plans to repair the remaining schools.

Other sites on the 2008 list include Walter Reed Medical Center and the Barry Farm Frame Houses in Southeast Washington.

Sabri Ben-Achour reports...

40th Anniversary of Robert F Kennedy Assassination

May 15, 2008 - With the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy less than a month away, one of RFK`s daughters expressed gratitude last night in suburban Baltimore. Gene Kuleta reports...

Sailing Kids Learn Life Lessons
Stephanie Kaye

May 15, 2008 - A local sailing program brings kids to D.C.'s docks, teaching them about life and the environment. Stephanie Kaye headed out with some of the young sailors.

Homemade Bombs Explode At Maryland School

May 15, 2008 - Two homemade bombs containing toilet cleaner and tinfoil packed inside plastic bottles exploded yesterday at a high school in Fort Washington, Md. No one was injured, but Friendly High School was evacuated for several hours while authorities searched and ventilated the building.

A spokesman for the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office says two students were arrested and face charges. Police found four homemade bombs inside the school, but only two exploded.

Authorities say a student at Crossland High School in Temple Hills set off a similar device last week. They also say the students probably learned how to make the bombs using instructions found on the Internet.

Matt McCleskey has more...

Virginia's Six-Year Plan Cuts Funding Anxiety

May 15, 2008 - In Virginia, legislation providing $1.5 billion dollars for university and other state construction needs dramatically transforms the way future building projects will be chosen and funded.

Anne Marie Morgan has more...

"Art Beat" with Stephanie Kaye - Thursday, May 15, 2008
Stephanie Kaye

May 15, 2008 - (May 15-June 1 and June 6-22) CATCH THE MOONLIGHT Catch the Moonlight (http://www.adventuretheatre.org/moon.html) gives life to the delightful children's book Goodnight Moon, tonight through June 1st at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo Park, and again June 6th to 22nd at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Bring the kids or simply re-live your own favorite bedtime story memories as this beloved tale is retold as a musical. Every Friday night performance is PJ party time. So come clad in your comfiest jammies. Of course, a milk and cookies reception will follow.

(May 16 &17) MERMAID THEATRE Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia performs The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Favorites at Olney Theatre Center, with performances on Friday and Saturday. Behold the colorful and amusing adventures of the hungry caterpillar-turned-butterfly, and other stories of inspiration and growing-up, regaled on stage by award-winning children`s book author Eric Carle.

(MAY 17) FIESTA ASIA Fiesta Asia brings a Far East street fair extravaganza to Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 6th Streets, Saturday from 11:00 to 7:00. This free, annual celebration features musical performances, exotic artwork and delectable delights.

Farm Bill Promises Windfall for Chesapeake Bay Clean-up Efforts

May 15, 2008 - With a strong veto-proof majority, the House of Representatives passed a $290 billion farm bill that will provide unprecedented support for agricultural conservation programs that will help protect the Chesapeake Bay. Congressman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland's 8th district led the bi-partisan effort to dramatically boost federal funding for the Bay clean-up efforts.

Van Hollen says these funds will help prevent pollution from flowing into the Bay from major tributaries that feed the Bay. The Susquehanna, Shenadoah, Patuxent and Potomac Rivers will receive the initial attention.

Meymo Lyons reports...

Singing the 50s

May 15, 2008 - Commentator Lynn Peterson Mobley says she has come to realize that the unsung benefits of reaching middle age really do need to be sung. Lynn Peterson Mobley is a writer living in Great Falls, Virginia.

Residents in Ward 7 Gather to Discuss Kids and Crime
Jessica Golloher

May 15, 2008 - A town hall meeting east of the Anacostia revealed continuing concerns about crime and the future of the community's youngsters.

Jessica Golloher was at the Kelly Miller Middle School when parents talked about their children...

Power Breakfast - May 15, 2008

May 15, 2008 - The next round of spending on Iraq and Afghanistan is expected on the House floor today. It has one part with $163 billion to fund the wars through next summer. There`ll be an amendment calling for troop redeployment from Iraq and a third with unemployment benefits and new veterans education benefits.

For Democrats, there`s a certain beauty in doing the war-funding bill in three separate votes. Here's why:

Lots of Democrats have pledged never to support any more spending on Iraq. So they can vote against in Amendment 1. The measure is still likely to pass with Republicans on board.

If you're a Democrat, you can vote for GI benefits and unemployment insurance without having to support the war money that's carrying it all.

The strategy is tailor made for Democrats like Washington State's Jim McDermott. He won't support any war money, but he does see the legislative elegance of political cover.

"This'll be the classic John Kerry 'I voted against it before I voted for it,' McDermott said.

But they construct these things so they can get it out of the House because they couldn't get it out of this House all wrapped together.

Meanwhile the Senate appropriators are set to consider their version of the war-funding bill today.

Now Senate Democrats are also hoping to add some provisions aimed at lowering, or at least limiting, gas prices. That could make for some awkward meetings for the Petroleum Marketers Association. Today is their annual meet and greet with members of Congress.

And finally -- meet the best shot in Congress. The Congressional Sportsmen`s Caucus held their yearly bipartisan shooting contest this week at the Prince Georges County Trap and Skeet Center.