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Thursday, March 11, 2010
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October 03, 2009 - Vincent Gray, chairman of the D.C. Council, wants to hold public oversight hearings on the recent teacher layoffs in the District. Gray says he wants to know how they might negatively affect school children.
According to Gray, the hearing is to review the rationale and impact of the reductions. In a press release, Gray says the layoffs have "alarmed families" and "sent shock waves" through the community.
D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Chancellor Michelle Rhee have said that the layoffs came as the result of budget cuts and new enrollment numbers. Gray says when you include stimulus funds, the school district is funded at last year's levels.
More than 200 teachers received their layoff notices Friday. They will be on paid leave until November 2nd.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
October 03, 2009 - The District's HIV epidemic is getting renewed attention with this weekend's 23rd Annual AIDS Walk.
At Freedom Plaza in D.C., the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington kick off the annual walk with the national anthem.
Organizers of the Annual AIDS Walk say 7,000 people took part in the 5K walk and raised nearly $750,000 to benefit the Whitman-Walker Clinic in DC.
Executive Director Don Blanchon says the walk is a renewed call to action. "People want to step up this fight and it's almost as if this is the second assault or attack on HIV," says Blanchon.
One in 20 adults in D.C. lives with HIV/AIDS. Blanchon says that number is expected to increase as more and more people get tested.
Mana Rabiee reports...
One in 20 adults in D.C. lives with HIV/AIDS. Whitman Walker Clinic Executive Director Don Blanchon says that number is expected to increase as more and more people get tested.
Courtesy of: Mana Rabiee
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October 03, 2009 - The all-girl roller-derby team of Hagerstown, Maryland is giving rave reviews of "Whip It," Drew Barrymore's directorial debut about the rough-and-tumble sport of roller derby.
Decked out in rainbow tights and manic-panic pink hair, Robyn Wiegand, nicknamed Switchbladey, is handing out flyers about Hagerstown roller derby. The team hopes the film will draw more fans to the Hagerstown bouts, which have been going on for more than two years now.
Inside the theater, between throwing popcorn, laughing and cheering, "we're gonna go down there...no, no necking!" The ladies aren't sure they won hearts and minds, but just as they do on the rink, they had an awesome time.
Zoe Chace reports...
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