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Friday, November 20, 2009
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October 30, 2009 - WASHINGTON (AP) D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee is accused of skirting the law when she laid off 266 teachers and staff to save money as the school system faces a budget gap. Rhee defended the decision during a daylong oversight hearing before the city council. Union leaders have called it an illegal mass firing.
NEW YORK (AP) The Washington Post is reporting a 69 percent jump in third-quarter profit. The company says revenue got a boost from its cable TV and education divisions while its namesake newspaper trimmed its losses. The company says it earned $17.1 million, or $1.81 per share.
WASHINGTON (AP) Construction permits are being issued for the long-delayed Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial slated for the National Mall. A private foundation will build the memorial before turning it over to the National Park Service. The monument has been 11 years in the making.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
October 30, 2009 - TOWSON, Md. (AP) Baltimore County police have announced the charges against two more men in the fatal shooting of a liquor store owner. Police say 30-year-old Robert Crowder of Randallstown and 29-year-old Randolph Hughes of Towson are both charged with murder and conspiracy.
BALTIMORE (AP) An Oxon Hill man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for a mortgage fraud tied to 25 properties in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia worth millions. Thirty-five-year-old Terrence White also had a restitution order of more than $4 million entered against him at sentencing today.
CAMBRIDGE, Md. (AP) An employee of Delaware state senator Robert Venables said he and a fishing buddy were injured when their boat hit a buoy. Senate Assistant Bonnie Wood said Venables had a cut over his eye and sore ribs after the 11 a.m. crash today near Ragged Point in Dorchester County.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
October 30, 2009 - RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Federal funding meant to stimulate the economy has helped Virginia agencies create or retain more than 5,900 jobs. Governor Tim Kaine says the funding has allowed Virginia to begin construction on infrastructure projects and keep the state's Medicaid plan funded.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Two retired NASA research pilots are being inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame at the Virginia Aviation Museum in Richmond. Aeronautical engineers James Patton Junior and Philip Brown logged more than 16,000 flight hours between them at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton.
MANASSAS, Va. (AP) Four Prince William County high school students facing a yearlong expulsion for arranging pieces of sod into racist symbols will be allowed to return to school. County school board members decided Wednesday the students can return to school in January.
McLEAN, Va. (AP) Fairfax County planners estimate it will take a whopping $15 billion in transportation improvements to revamp Tysons Corner into a dense, walkable urban hub. The county hopes to remake Tysons Corner into a transit-oriented, second city of the Washington area.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
October 30, 2009 - As the D.C. city council examines legislation to crack down on human trafficking in the city, a former child victim helps other women escape their bondage.
A small trail of women enters the Sasha Bruce Youth Center in the Eastern Market neighborhood of Southeast Washington. They crowd into in a basement room where the odor of roach spray is masked by freshly brewed coffee.
They represent a coalition of women's groups. They're here for a 'pow wow' to discuss legislation to combat human trafficking in DC. "I had no idea that this kind of world existed until I was forced into it," said Tina Frundt, who was forced into sex trafficking at thirteen but escaped after ten years. Frundt founded Courtney's House, a shelter for children escaping sex traffickers.
"It's out in the open and it's not hidden. It's on 14th and K. It's on 18th and Rhode Island," said Frundt. "And all the pimps stand out there watching all the girls and they can be as young as 12, 13."
The coalition says D.C. is a "hub" for human trafficking. One group helped more than 280 victims here over the past six years by doing doing outreach, offering shelter and legal aid. Frundt's group hands out cosmetic compacts with their emergency hot line printed in code.
The bill under consideration by the D.C. city council would among other things stiffen penalties for traffickers and adds protections for victims.
Mana Rabiee reports...
Tina Frundt founded Courtney's House. Frundt was forced into sex trafficking at thirteen but escaped after ten years.
Courtesy of: Mana Rabiee
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October 30, 2009 - With more people out celebrating Halloween Saturday night, one advocacy group hopes free taxi rides will save lives.
The Washington Regional Alcohol Program organizes the Sober Ride program for people too drunk to drive. Kurt Erickson heads WRAP and says party-goers simply need to call 1-800-200-TAXI for a lift.
"But obviously when someone might be in their cups as they say, those numbers may not be so easy," said Erickson. Erickson says bartenders and servers need to intervene when someone has had too much.
Bo Monroe bartends at the Town Tavern in Adams Morgan. "The energy level is definitely up and everyone is in costume and it's a different kind of outing," said Monroe. "But any random weekend night is arguably as crazy as a holiday."
Last year more than 350 metro residents took advantage of the rides. But with Halloween on both a Saturday night and during daylight savings time, Erickson expects the number to climb.
Peter Granitz reports...
October 30, 2009 - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid confirmed what Congress watchers had been expecting, yet somehow managed to treat the news with surprise.
Elizabeth Wynne Johnson reports...
October 30, 2009 - Federal customs officers say they ended a motorcycle theft ring and recovered eight stolen from Maryland and Virginia. The motorcycles had been disassembled, stuffed into salvage vehicles and packed on ships headed for Bolivia.
Federal agents recovered the first two from a ship in Baltimore after a tip from police in Fairfax County, Virginia. They used a database of shipping information to identify similar containers on other ships.
"We used to have to scour through these things by eyeball, flipping through pages," said Stephen Sapp, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security. "Fast forward to today. We have technology now that's a searchable database that we can enter some key elements or key words in and immediately pull that up into the database."
Fairfax County police have made three arrests in the case.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
Federal customs officers say they ended a motorcycle theft ring and recovered eight stolen from Maryland and Virginia.
The motorcycles had been disassembled, stuffed into salvage vehicles and packed on ships headed for Bolivia.
Courtesy of: Baltimore Customs and Border Protection
View more images from this gallery.
October 30, 2009 - A youth advocacy organization based in Washington is trying to get young people thinking about financial responsibility, one hand-held video game at a time.
When 27-year-old Eric Heis decided to teach his peers about finances, he turned to a game known as "Penguin Toss." Players pluck a penguin from an icy pond and throw it into the air. But Heis, who works at a think tank in Washington, says he noticed young Capitol Hill staffers had a lot more fun playing Penguin Toss on their Blackberries than reading his policy papers, so he came up with a game of his own.
The game is called "Governor Toss." The player adds to the state budget and can improve things that can advance the governor, for example. Heis has applied for a $25,000 grant from Mobilize.org, a group trying to get young people to think about finances.
Mobilize.org will award the grant in November.
Alex Keefe reports...
October 30, 2009 - The parents of a missing Virginia Tech student are asking people to continue to share information with police. Morgan Dana Harrington has been missing since she went to a Metallica concert at the University of Virginia nearly two weeks ago. The 20 year old Tech student left the concert arena and was denied re-entry. Daniel and Jill Harrington of Roanoke said in a statement Thursday they are doing everything in their power to bring their daughter home. Police say witnesses saw someone matching her description in two nearby parking areas. She was last seen on a bridge that leads to a commercial area of Charlottesville.
Bill Redlin reports...
October 30, 2009 - Prince George's County is at risk of losing more than $5 million in affordable housing grants from the federal government. The county must notify the government by Saturday about how it plans to spend the money or the grants will be taken back.
The funds are from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and come with a two-year deadline for legally binding agreements with developers. Projects must begin within a year after that.
Prince George's has an uncommitted balance of $5.17 million that is due to expire Saturday. County officials say they have reached agreements with developers and are in the process of updating the HUD database with that information.
Meymo Lyons reports...
October 30, 2009 - Snow covered the roads in Prince Georges County, Maryland this morning. But only the snow plow drivers could see it.
Vanessa Gordon-Watson has worked for Prince Georges County for more than 27 years. This morning, she drove her snow plow along the same route she has for the past six years on a dry run. With temperatures in the fifties, there was no snow to move, but Gordon-Watson had other things to look out for.
Matt Bush reports...
Vanessa Gordon-Watson has worked for Prince Georges County for more than 27 years. This morning, she drove her snow plow along the same route she has for the past six years on a dry run.
Courtesy of: Matt Bush
October 30, 2009 - The federal government will release a report later today on how many jobs have been created by stimulus money.
In Maryland, a report shows more than 4,000 jobs have been created or saved by stimulus funds statewide. Michael Enright, a senior advisor to governor Martin O'Malley, says the state still has a ways to go in showing the effectiveness of the stimulus bill. Enright says Maryland has only received half of the more than $4 billion it's expected to get, and has only awarded a fraction of it.
Matt Bush reports....
October 30, 2009 - People have been trying to bring a Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial to the National Mall for more than 30 years. It's now closer than ever to construction.
Halfway between the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials and overlooking the tidal basin, Christine Farris, King's sister, marvels at the site of the future memorial to her brother and the civil rights movement. "What a day, what a dream," said Farris, the flicker of her brother's voice in her own.
Farris remembers her brother's leadership and modesty. "He would, I think, he would say 'no, don't do this for me,'" said Farris. "But we have to do it, because generations yet unborn need to know about Martin Luther King Jr."
Construction of the memorial was delayed because the National Park Service wanted additional security measures included in the design. Those changes have been made, and construction should begin in a couple weeks. Two 30-foot granite peaks will create a walkway symbolizing passage through the civil rights movement. A sculpture of King will emerge from a third stone, a reference to a famous line in his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech, where he proclaimed, "we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope."
The memorial will cost $120 million, and the foundation building it is still trying to raise the last $14 million.
Sabri Ben -Achour reports...
October 30, 2009 - (October 30) MUSHI-SHI The spooks and spirits of Halloween take on a Japanese-pop twist at the Japan Information and Culture Center in downtown D.C. tonight at 6:30. The movie Mushi-shi tells the story of the Mushi, a primal life force that can only be seen by the humans who can sense their own supernatural energy. Reservations are required and you're invited to come in costume for some Japanese-style trick-or-treating. Send your reservation request to jiccrsvp@embjapan.org. Include your name, affiliation, and the number in your party.
(October 31) DIA DE LOS MUERTOS Ofrenda: Art for the Dead includes a masked Halloween Ball, art exhibit, parade and performances and it's all free at Alexandria's Torpedo Factory tomorrow from 3pm to midnight.
(November 1) DAY OF THE DEAD And the Mexican Cultural Institute hosts "Dia de los Muertos" on Sunday with a Day of the Dead Altar created by a master of cut-paper art and films for children that honor and celebrate the dearly-departed.
(October 31) DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
[Ofrenda: Art for the Dead](October 30, 2009 - When commentator Fred Fiske defended President Obama's choice to play golf and basketball in single-sex settings, neither the President's choice nor the defense of it sat well with WAMU 88.5 FM listener Nancy Prager...
The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WAMU 88.5 or American University. What do you think? Go to The Conversation .
October 30, 2009 - The maker of the H1N1 vaccine nasal mist, based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is confident about meeting its deadline to deliver the vaccines it promised the federal government.
Tor Constantino, director of the Medimmune Corporation, says the company is in process of satisfying its contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Constantino says his company agreed to manufacture 40 million swine flu vaccines by early 2010, and he says it's on track to do so. Constantino stresses that the facility in Maryland is not plagued by any manufacturing or production delays, but that doesn't necessarily mean the end of long lines and clinic cancellations.
Medimmune is one of five companies producing swine flu vaccines.
Jamila Bey reports...
Medimmune, the maker of the H1N1 vaccine nasal mist, is confident about meeting its deadline to deliver the vaccines it promised the federal government.
Courtesy of: Centers for Disease Control
October 30, 2009 - The D.C. region is starting its annual campaign to bring awareness to pedestrian safety. The "Street Smart" campaign kicked off with help from D.C.'s transportation department, handing out pamphlets to people on the streets in Georgetown.
George Branyan coordinates the department's Pedestrian Program. "It started as an idea from Montgomery County originally. And then we realized simply doing something on a one-county level was simply not going to get at the problem, which is we have drivers and pedestrians in three major jurisdictions. We needed an overall regional campaign."
Although the city is trying to reach walkers and bicyclists with its message, in the end it's drivers who are the focus. "Cyclists and pedestrians don't have a steel safety cage. They don't have airbags and all the safety features. They're very vulnerable. So it really does fall to the driver in the end to do the right thing."
In D.C., drivers who do not yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk could face a $250 fine and three points against their license.
Stephanie Kaye reports...
October 30, 2009 - After a day-long hearing on teacher layoffs in the District, several D.C. Council members say they want changes made in how the Public Schools are managed. Council Chairman Vincent Gray says he believes Rhee may have broken the law.
Over the summer, the council cut approximately 9 million dollars from the DCPS summer school program. After the budget was certified -- Rhee decided to leave that program in tact - and instead make other cuts. That included a Reduction in Force or RIF off almost 400 school employees.
Gray says he will be talking to general counsel about the legality of her actions, "One if they already moved the money they couldn't do that legally. If the money hasn't been moved then the magnitude of the RIF has been overstated. They didn't need to be at the level that they did it."
Rhee says summer programs are important to help students graduate. Council members also chided Rhee on what one member called a "toxic environment" and another called a "culture of intimidation."
Even Councilman David Catania, a staunch supporter of Rhee, says Rhee needs to change the way she interacts with the council, "I need you to be a better communicator. I need that. And I need more respect and understanding directed towards this chairman. And I don't know how many times we can have this discussion."
Throughout all the criticism and questioning Rhee defended her decisions - pointing to advances in student achievement. "I would not have taken this step, had I not believed very strongly, that the advantages to going this route in the long run far out way the short term disadvantages."
Teachers who were laid off are expected to be dropped from the payroll Monday.
Kavitha Cardoza reports...
After a day-long hearing on teacher layoffs in the District, several D.C. Council members say they want changes made in how the Public Schools are managed. Council Chairman Vincent Gray says he believes Rhee may have broken the law.
Courtesy of: Kavitha Cardoza
October 30, 2009 - As the D.C. Council prepares to vote on legislation to allow same-sex marriage, a broad coalition of clergy members are rallying to support the measure. Asbury United Methodist Church is one of the oldest black churches in Washington and last night dozens of religious leaders packed the congregations wooden pews. They were there to support the Districts proposal to let same-sex couples marry.
As Robert Hardies, Reverend at the Unitarian All Souls Church pointed out from the pulpit, the group represents nearly every faith and background. They're known as D.C. Clergy United For Marriage Equality. Nearly 200 strong, the group wants to debunk the myth that the city's religious leaders are all lined up against gay marriage. The next public hearing on the same-sex marriage bill is scheduled for Monday at the Wilson Building.
Patrick Madden reports...
Asbury United Methodist Church is one of the oldest black churches in Washington and last night dozens of religious leaders packed the congregations wooden pews. They were there to support the Districts proposal to let same-sex couples marry.
Courtesy of: Sandy Adams, Outdoorvizions Photography
October 30, 2009 - Peanut butter and jelly. Cookies and milk. Some things just go together. But wine and Halloween? Speaking with David Furst, wine writer Dick Rosano says 'why not?' From Vampire Vineyards to Castillero del Diablo, he offers some suggestions for the holiday.
October 30, 2009 - Number-crunchers in Fairfax County's budget office warn that the county's budget deficit for the coming fiscal year could be worse than this years.
Thursday night, residents got a chance to brainstorm solutions.
The vast majority of the 100 or so people gathered in the Woodson High School cafeteria said higher taxes and fees, and not job or service cuts, are the answer to Fairfax County's projected $300 million-plus shortfall.
Gabby Kreuscher says Fairfax just needs to find a way to keep a good thing going.
"I think that's going to be the big key in all this, not making more cuts," she says, "getting more money to keep Fairfax County and schools they way they are."
The county raised its real estate tax rate, which accounts for 64 percent of its revenue, this year, but most residents didn't see an increase in their tax bill. Mike Perschbacher says he'd be willing to pay more next year.
"We're more than happy seeing those things increase to pay for the things most important to us, and we'd like to think most of the county would agree," he says.
The Board of Supervisors has a few more months to see if it can build the kind of consensus found at Thursday nights community dialogue. It must adopt the budget for the coming fiscal year in April.
Jonathan Wilson reports...
Number-crunchers in Fairfax County's budget office warn that the county's budget deficit for the coming fiscal year could be worse than this year's.
Courtesy of: Jonathan Wilson
October 30, 2009 - The first thing Congressman Earl Pomeroy plans to do this morning is get on a video conference call with North Dakota hospitals.
Pomeroy is one of those Democrats who's been caught between his Party's number one legislative ambition and hospitals in his largely rural district, for whom the so-called "robust" public option would mean treating more patients at a loss.
Elizabeth Wynne Johnson reports...
October 30, 2009 - There's just one weekend left before election day in Virginia, and in the District, the D.C. Council says it wants changes in how the city's public schools are managed.
Washington Post columnist Robert McCartney joins WAMU's Morning Edition Host Matt McCleskey to talk about some of the region's top stories...
October 30, 2009 - Twenty-eight Virginia school divisions are getting a break on what they owe the state.
Governor Tim Kaine says Virginia saved more than $28 million by refinancing Public School Authority bonds. The savings will be given to localities as a one-time credit against their payment next July.
Prince William County will see the biggest savings, more than $5 million. Stafford County's credit will be more than $3 million. Loudoun County will save approximately $430,000. The Literary Fund will also benefit, receiving more than $4 million in savings.
The credits come in the midst of budget pressures at the state and county levels. Kaine says his administration will continue to look for refinancing opportunities.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
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