WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

Two NASA Pilots To Be Honored In Virginia Hall Of Fame

November 01, 2009 - Two retired NASA research pilots are being inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame in Richmond. James Patton Jr. and Philip Brown are being honored for their contributions to flight safety, though neither one shied away from danger in his career.

Patton's work focused on putting aircraft into spin. His research led to the production of new spin-resistant planes.

Brown focused on storm hazards. He intentionally flew a fighter jet into a thunderstorm looking for lightning. The jet was struck more than 700 times, and his work helped establish lightning protection standards in effect today.

Patton and Brown logged a total of more than 16,000 flight hours at NASA's Langley Research Center. Their induction ceremony will be November 14th.

Rebecca Blatt reports...

Nonprofit Group To Help Improve Embattled Maryland Jail

November 01, 2009 - A Maryland jail plagued by allegations of corruption and incompetence says it will partner with a nonprofit group to improve its management practices.

The interim director of the Prince George's County department of corrections tells The Washington Post her agency has entered into an agreement with the Vera Institute of Justice to improve the county's jail.

Vera staff members will interview jail employees to learn what the jail does well and what it could do better. Within a year they'll develop a model for independent oversight of the jail.

The jail has been criticized for its handling of the death of a 19-year-old in custody as well as other problems.

Vera has similar arrangements in parts of Colorado, Nevada, Florida and Texas. The nonprofit group has offices in New York and Washington.

Jonathan Wilson reports...

Virginia GOP Rally

November 01, 2009 - As Tuesday's elections inch closer, Virginia Republicans are issuing some advice for potential voters.

Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell and his Republican ticket mates are warning supporters not to become complacent in advance of Tuesday election.

McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli told more than 100 supporters in Fredericksburg today not to take the candidate's lead for granted, urging them to get out and vote.

Recent polls have shown all three GOP candidates leading their Democrat opponents by comfortable margins.

Elliott Francis reports...

Virginia Congressman Compares Republicans To Taliban

November 01, 2009 - Critics say Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.)is known for being outspoken and for occasionally making remarks that land him in hot water.

At a campaign event yesterday in Fairfax County, Moran said Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell and his running mates are too conservative for Virginia. "If the Republicans were running in Afghanistan," he said, "They'd be running on the Taliban ticket, as far as I can see." McDonnell spokesperson Crystal Cameron calls the remark "negative" and "vicious."

She says Moran is trying to drive up turnout among liberal voters who are unenthusiastic about Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds. "Creigh has had a very difficult time rallying his base," Cameron says, "and they're trying to do anything they can to get out the vote on their side."

Polls open in Virginia on Tuesday morning, less than 48 hours from now.

David Schultz reports...

Congressman In Ethics Investigation Proclaims Innocence

November 01, 2009 - The House ethics committee is investigating Jim Moran, a Democrat from Northern Virginia, and six of his colleagues. The committee is looking into their relationship with a lobbying firm called the PMA group, which is itself the subject of a criminal probe.

Normally these kinds of investigations are strictly confidential. But in this case, it's alleged a Capitol Hill staffer accidentally leaked a document through their computer's file sharing network. The document was later obtained by the Washington Post.

Moran says members of the ethics committee approached him several months ago. "When they asked me if they could have an inquiry," Moran recalls, "I said, 'We welcome it. Here is everyone that's ever been involved in my fundraising. I encourage you to interview them.'"

Moran has been representing Northern Virginia's inner suburbs in the House for nearly two decades.

David Schultz reports...

Former Police Chief With DUI Record Appears In YouTube Video

November 01, 2009 - The former Alexandria police chief who resigned in July after his drunk-driving arrest now appears in a video designed to spread the message that a DUI arrest can affect anyone.

The video is titled "Even a Police Chief." It was released Friday on YouTube and now David P. Baker is starting to talk publicly for the first time since his arrest. "I'm not out doing this to make it the Dave Baker redemption show," said Baker.

As police chief, Baker often worked with a drunk-driving campaign called Checkpoint Strikeforce. The group asked Baker to appear in video after his release from jail.

"My message was, yes I'll help you because I think maybe I can make a difference in helping somebody else's life," said Baker. But Baker says it hasn't been an easy decision. "When you put yourself out there, it's difficult because you still carry a level of embarrassment," said Baker.

The video was made in partnership with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program.

Mana Rabiee reports...