WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

District Private Schools Work Hard to Keep Struggling Families

April 24, 2009 - Washington-area families with children in private schools are struggling to keep them there. They are applying for financial aid and scholarships, but there’s not enough money to go around. Eilis O'Neill reports...

"Art Beat" with Stephanie Kaye - Weekend Events, April 24-26, 2009

April 24, 2009 - (April 24-26) GARDEN FAIR You can do your shopping outside, as the Friends of the National Arboretum host a Garden Fair and Sale today through Sunday. The event features rare species from the finest nurseries in the region. Proceeds benefit the Arboretum's internship program.

(April 25) EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES IN INDIAN HEAD The Black Box Theatre joins the town of Indian Head, Maryland, for Earth Day activities tomorrow from 10 to 3. You might be inspired by the annual Recycled Art Contest, games, films and discussions.

(Apr 25) AVANT-FAIRFAX FESTIVAL The Avant-Fairfax Festival kicks off at the Old Town Hall in Fairfax City tomorrow night at 6. Activities include an Outsider Music Festival as well as local jazz, children's choirs, orchestras and bluegrass, part of the city's Spotlight on the Arts series.

(Apr 25 & 26) DEVIATED THEATER Deviated Theater presents the premiere of Lore, a mixture of dance and storytelling at Dance Place in Northeast D.C. tomorrow and Sunday. A troubled kingdom is exposed as an apothecary travels the land, followed by a cast of ailing citizens, conniving queens and courtly jesters.

Prince William County Seen As Mass Transit Leader

April 24, 2009 - Some cities are looking to Prince William County, Va., as an example of bringing mass transit to suburbs. Some officials in Florida and Pennsylvania are following Prince William County's lead. The county's Omnilink system allows buses to go up to three quarters of a mile off route so they can pick up riders at their door. Ridership has doubled in the past five years. But it relies on expensive GPS tracking. Director Al Harf says innovative transit programs need more federal help.

Matt Laslo reports...

Weekly Chat with The Washington Post

April 24, 2009 - The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission has another setback, and Virginia's gubernatorial candidates takes positions on education funding. Robert McCartney, the Washington Post's Assistant Managing Editor for Metro news, talks with WAMU host Stephanie Kaye about the latest.

New Legislation Targets Teen Drivers

April 24, 2009 - Congressman Chris Van Hollen, of Maryland, wants to make it tougher for teens to get a license to drive. Maryland reported 19,000 car crashes involving teens in 2007. Van Hollen introduced legislation that would require states to issue licenses at age 18. The bill also changes the rules for young drivers. It bans cell phone use and text messaging, and it limits driving time at night. Montgomery County Police Captain Tom Didone lost his 15-year-old son in a crash involving a teen driver last year. He came to Capitol Hill to push other lawmakers to support Van Hollen's legislation.

Sara Sciammacco reports...

City Leaders Ponder How to Pay Metro for Late Baseball Games

April 24, 2009 - D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty scrambled to assure Nats fans that he wouldn't leave them stranded after the Transportation Director sent Metro a letter stating the city would no longer pay to keep stations open overtime when games run late. Special events, such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, pay to keep trains running after hours. D.C. Councilman and Metro Board Member Jim Graham says the Nats should be no different.

E. Okobi reports...

Office of Victims of Crimes Hosts Candlelight Vigil

April 24, 2009 - National Crime Victims' Week begins on Sunday, but the Department of Justice got an early start Thursday with candlelight vigil in downtown D.C.

Attorney General Eric Holder told the crowd in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hall of Flags that the many victims that had crossed his path as a prosecutor, a judge and a Justice Department official had never failed to amaze him with their ability to endure. Also on hand was the District's own Kenny Barnes, who became an anti-violence advocate after his son was murdered in 2001. Barnes has been nominated fora 2009 National Crime Victims Service Award, and he is the chairman of WAMU's community council.

Jonathan Wilson reports...

Weekend Planner: Game Night

April 24, 2009 - Scrabble, Connect Four and Ping pong are all games that have made the transition to the video and Internet age. But nothing beats playing the real table top versions of the classics. And you don't have to play in your home. You can challenge fellow drinkers to a 'Jenga' contest at the local bar. For a full explanation, David Furst speaks with Washington Post nightlife writer, Fritz Hahn.

Power Breakfast - April 24, 2009

April 24, 2009 - General David Petraeus asks Congress for $861 million dollars for military construction in Afghanistan. Another battle is brewing over next year's budget. And former Vice President Al Gore and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich talk climate change in the final day of hearings on legislation.

Jessica Weinstein reports...

Preakness Ticket Sales Down 12 Percent

April 24, 2009 - With three weeks left before the Preakness Stakes horse race, the Maryland Jockey Club says ticket sales are down 12 percent. Jockey Club President Tom Chuckas tells The Daily Record of Baltimore that Magna Entertainment Corporation's bankruptcy has taken a toll. Magna owns the Preakness and the Pimlico Race Track, which hosts the Stakes.

But the Daily Record reports that some are pointing to other factors. They include the bad economy and a new policy banning outside alcohol and other beverages from the infield. Former club president Joseph De Francis says sales could be slow because this year's crop of 3-year olds does not have any standouts.

Rebecca Blatt reports...

Crosstown Water Tunnel Closed

April 24, 2009 - The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority is looking into a leak in a tunnel that carries D.C.'s drinking water. The tunnel runs from the Washington Aqueduct across Northwest Washington through downtown. As the Washington Examiner reports, the leak was discovered several months ago in Rock Creek Park near the intersection of 25th and N streets. The Crosstown Water Tunnel carries 10 to 30 million gallons a day, and is buried at different points from between 70 to 200 feet below ground.

Stephanie Kaye has more...

This Week in Congress…

April 24, 2009 - This Week in Congress: In a word: Torture.

Elizabeth Wynne Johnson of Capitol News Connection reports...