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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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March 24, 2009 - Groundwater samples near one of the landfills at Fort Meade in Maryland have shown high levels of toxic chemicals. Now officials at the Army base are planning additional tests for the area.
Tests in a pair of monitoring wells near the Odenton MARC station showed contaminants of levels up to 10 times what are considered safe for drinking. The Environmental Protection Agency says the chemicals pose "an unacceptable risk to human health" if consumed in drinking water. It has ordered additional testing and the military says it plans to test all wells within a one-mile radius.
Henry Sokolowski, who oversees federal facility cleanups for the EPA's Mid-Atlantic office, tells the Baltimore Sun that the Army will test whether toxic vapors have made their way into basements or foundations of buildings in the area as well.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
March 24, 2009 - The Metro transit agency says the number of reported crimes in 2008 was the highest in at least six years. Serious crimes, ranging from robbery to assault, increased more than 15 percent from last year to 1,821 an average of about five per day. Robberies went up by nearly a third and larceny surged by 17 percent.
Patrick Madden reports...
March 24, 2009 - Senator Ben Cardin from Maryland has introduced legislation that would allow newspapers to become non-profit organizations. Senator Cardin says the proposal is meant to help local newspapers survive even as advertising revenue and subscribers decline. He says The Newspaper Revitalization Act would allow newspapers to operate as non-profits for educational purposes, similar to public broadcasting. Cardin says because newspaper profits have been falling in recent years, he doesn't expect any substantial loss of federal revenue.
Ricks Edmond with the Poynter Institute, a journalism activism organization, says it would allow newspapers to receive tax-deductible donations as well as not tax profits on advertising. But it would mean certain restrictions. Several newspapers have closed down in recent months including the Baltimore Examiner and the Rocky Mountain News.
Kavitha Cardoza reports...
March 24, 2009 - A Maryland House committee is looking at a bill that would require more statewide oversight of SWAT team deployments. The bill would force police to release public reports on SWAT team operations every six months. The measure has already passed the Senate.
Matt Bush reports...
March 24, 2009 - Several D.C. City Council members are skeptical of Mayor Adrian Fenty's plan to cut hundreds of local government jobs over the next year. Fenty told the Council his 2010 budget would eliminate nearly 1,600 jobs. They fall into three categories. First, Fenty says, more than 700 jobs will be lost to "realignment." Essentially, agencies will fire non-essential staff. Second, vacant positions will remain unfilled indefinitely. Third, retiring workers wont be replaced.
"The end result is a budget that provides service improvement with reduced costs and targeted tax reductions," Fenty said.
The budget needs approval from both the DC City Council and Congress.
David Klatt reports...
March 24, 2009 - It's the time of year when Canadian geese become a problem for many homeowners. Now there's help in Fairfax County, Virginia.
The geese, frequently found together in large numbers, are attracted to places rich in food, water and protection. That typically means urban areas. While the geese may be nice to look at, they can become a problem with aggressive behavior, inappropriate nesting and droppings. One of two free programs offered this week helps people deal with the geese. It's set for tomorrow at 10am at the Government Center in Fairfax.
Pat Brogan reports...
March 24, 2009 - The 24th Annual Mayor's Arts Awards honored creative teachers, artists and patrons for their contributions to D.C. communities.
Stephanie Kaye reports...
March 24, 2009 - King of the Jews dares to explore a major moral dilemma during the Holocaust at Olney Theatre Center in Maryland, through April 12th. A group of Jewish officials is forced to collaborate with the Nazis during World War II. This world premier is an intense drama adapted from the acclaimed book by the same name. Its strong and graphic moments are recommended for mature audiences.
World-renowned trumpeter, composer and director Wynton Marsalis delivers the Nancy Hanks lecture on the arts and public policy at the Kennedy Center](http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=RJXBS) Monday night at 6:30. This leading national forum for arts policy provides an opportunity for public discourse at the highest levels on the importance of the arts and culture to our nation's well-being. This free event is by invitation only, so make sure to sign up in advance.
A mischievous misfit and fledgling ninja takes to the screen at the Japan Information & Culture Center Friday night at 6:30. Based on a popular anime and manga comic book series, this first feature-length animated adventure tells the story of Naruto who saves an actress-turned-princess, helping her face the destiny she's been running from anime style her whole life. Naruto has sold more than 80 million copies and is considered one of the most popular animated series in Japan's history. Each guest will receive their own English manga to take home.
March 24, 2009 - President Obama heads to Capitol Hill as lawmakers prepare to negotiate a budget proposal.
Todd Zwillich reports...
March 24, 2009 - The Idlewild Mansion in Fredericksburg, Virginia is now on the Virginia Landmarks Register. The mansion is also called Downman House. Idlewild was built in 1859. It served as Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's headquarters on May 4 and 5, 1863, during the Chancellorsville campaign of the Civil War. Idlewild has been in ruins since it burned in 2003. The city-owned property now will be considered for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. City officials have stopped actively soliciting proposals for a private owner to rehabilitate the property, but they will continue to wpaek with anyone who is interested in doing so.
Bill Redlin reports...
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