: News
The D.C. Council is holding a hearing this week to find out why the city's housing authority awarded tens of millions of dollars in contracts without their approval.
The council is required to sign off on any contract worth more than $1 million. But council members say the mayor's office went around them and funneled a dozen contracts through the housing authority for the projects.
The deals were worth about $72 million and were awarded to a pair of companies with ties to the mayor. The D.C. Housing Authority is independent of the city government, and D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles says the contracts are legal and binding, although last week he said the deals needed council approval.
Councilwoman Mary Cheh says she has asked several top ranking members of Mayor Fenty's administration to appear Friday, including Deputy Mayor Valerie Santos and City Administrator Neil Albert.
Patrick Madden reports...
China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?
China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame
The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify
Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says. She is accused of closely scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status.Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One Game System
Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox One Tuesday, displaying a device that takes new steps in game consoles' journey into becoming all-purpose entertainment and communication devices. The new console replaces the Xbox 360, which has been on the market for more than seven years.Leave a Comment
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