Environmentalists say Air Quality at Parks Threatened

May 16, 2008 - Environmentalists claim the Bush administration is poised to ease air quality standards in a move to allow new coal fired power plants near national parks and wilderness areas. Entitled "Dark Horizons",the National Parks Conservation Associations report outlines 10 national parks at risk from pollution from new coal fired power plants. Spokesman Mark Wenzler says proposed EPA changes will worsen visibility and pollution at many of America`s most prized destinations including Shenandoah National Park in Virginia...

Meymo Lyons reports...

The Weekend Planner - David Furst

May 16, 2008 -

Virginia Seeks to Improve Transparency in Decision-Making Process

May 16, 2008 - Virginia businesses and individuals who have felt cut out of the bureaucratic rule-making process will have greater opportunities to give input under the state's newly proposed public participation guidelines.

Anne Marie Morgan has more...

Reports of Park Arsenic Levels Raise Questions and Concerns

May 16, 2008 - D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty says the elevated arsenic levels in Fort Reno Park that led to the site's closure this week might not pose a serious threat to public health. While U.S. Geological Survey satellite images revealed elevated amounts of the toxin, Fenty says tests conducted during the past two years did not find excessive quantities of arsenic in the park -- suggesting the high levels may be confined to isolated areas. Fenty says he hopes to release the results of follow-up testing in the next day or two.

While D.C. authorities await those results, neighbors say they're concerned about possible exposure.

Patrick Madden reports...

"Art Beat" with Stephanie Kaye - Weekend Events May 16-18, 2008
Stephanie Kaye

May 16, 2008 - (MAY 17) ASIAN DANCE FESTIVAL The Asian Dance Festival, the place where East meets West, arrives at the Atlas Performing Arts Center tomorrow evening at 8:00. In a joyous celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Month, this international event showcases the traditional and contemporary dance styles of Asia, set in D.C.'s parallel universe, as local dance companies pull out all the stops to strut their stuff. http://atlasarts.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=108549

(May 17) BUM RUSH THE BOARDS Bum Rush the Boards, the 3rd annual Hip-Hop chess tournament, takes place at D.C.s Lincoln Middle School Saturday from 11a.m. to 7 p.m. This friendly competition is designed to introduce the ancient game of skill and strategy to the hip-hop generation. Fans may recognize the event's inspiration straight from Public Enemys 1987 album "Yo! Bum Rush the Show." http://www.wblinc.org/bumrushreg.html

(May 17) WASHINGTON GLASS SCHOOL
The Washington Glass School is hosting its 7th Anniversary Open House and Party Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m. More than two dozen artists will be participating, mixing and mingling with glass-art enthusiasts. http://washingtonglassschool.com/school/news.htm

Power Breakfast May 16

May 16, 2008 - House Republican leaders have pulled a fast one. Instead of voting for $163 billion in war funding as Democrats expected, more than 100 GOP members voted "present." The war funding, much to everyone's surprise, failed.

The move was a Republican protest for the way Democrats handled the bill: no committee consideration, too much domestic spending and no Republican amendments on the floor.

"Enough is enough," Republican Congressman Mike Pence said. "We are not playing politics with our funding for our soldiers in the field."

Democrats were blindsided by the move. Now the question around the Capitol is: What next?

Think of the entire Iraq war debate as one giant game of ping pong. But instead of your basement the game is played across the Capitol by the House and Senate. All along, House Democrats have planned to send their version of the war package over to the Senate.

The Senate is getting set to strip it down, substitute its own version and then bounce the bill back to the House, in theory anyway, for final approval.

Most lawmakers will tell you that despite the House drama yesterday it's really the Senate that matters in this game. Los Angeles Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters is against the war. She's thrilled the House blocked war funding. But she knows the thrill could soon be gone.

"Those amendments will go to the Senate side, and then it will come back here," Waters said. "And then it could all change. So I'm worried. I'm happy today, but I'm concerned about what happens when it gets on the Senate side."

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham supports the war. He seems to think that by next week all of the shouting in the House could amount to not much.

"At the end of the day the troops will get their funding without strings attached that would undercut the war effort and there will be limited non defense spending," Graham said. "Right back where we started."

Todd Zwillich reports...

Frederick Douglas Bridge to Close This Weekend

May 16, 2008 - The Washington's Frederick Douglas Bridge will close tonight at 10 p.m. and reopen around 5 a.m. Saturday - weather permitting. Transportation officials say they'll be testing the swing span of the bridge, which is also known as the South Capitol Street Bridge. Detours will reroute drivers to the 11th Street Bridge. If it rains, testing will take place at the same time starting Saturday night.

Pat Brogan reports...

Cathedral Layoffs

May 16, 2008 - Less than a week after celebrating the centennial of the Washington National Cathedral, thirty-three employees of the Washington National Cathedral have lost their jobs. Margaret Davis, who is the Cathedral's associate dean, says the poor performance of the stock market prompted the cuts. According to Davis, 17 percent of the Cathedral's $26 million budget comes from investments, and she expects to see a drop in that revenue as the stock market struggles. The layoffs included clergy and retail employees -- totalling 15 percent of the Cathedral's workforce.

Rebecca Blatt reports...

District Heights Mayor Pleads Not Guilty

May 16, 2008 - The mayor of District Heights, Maryland has pleaded not guilty to charges he propositioned an undercover police officer posing as a male prostitute. Mayor James Walls was arrested last month in northwest Washington and charged with solicitation for lewd and immoral purposes. Metropolitan police said Walls solicited a police officer posing as a prostitute at Sixth and F streets. Walls maintains he is not guilty. He is free on bond and continues to serve as mayor. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 19.

Rebecca Blatt reports...

Douglas Wilder Retires

May 16, 2008 - The nation's first elected African American governor has decided to step down at the end of his term this year. Richmond mayor Douglas Wilder has decided not to seek reelection. The 77-year-old announced his plans today. Wilder was elected mayor with about 80 percent of the vote. Since then though, the Democrat has seen low ratings and poor relations with the City Council and school board. He's been praised for increasing corporate investment in the city, reducing crime and a growing population. Wilder was also Virginia's governor in the late 80's.

Kavitha Cardoza reports...

Gambling Expansion Debate Heats Up on Eve of Preakness

May 16, 2008 - Tomorrow is the 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes. But the horse race is only one contest that's being held at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course. The other revolves around slot machines. Voters will decide the issue in a referendum this November. Supporters say the state budget needs slots revenue. Scott Borgemenke of Magna Entertainment, which owns Pimlico, Laurel Park and several other horse tracks, recently said horse racing also needs them in order to attract more gamblers to horse tracks and inject more cash into the struggling industry.

Gene Kuleta reports...