News Archive - November 12, 2009

NTSB Sets Date For Public Hearing On Metro Crash

By Jonathan Wilson

The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for a public hearing on last June's Metrorail crash.

The NTSB will hold the hearing on February 23rd and 24th to try to gather more information for the crash investigation. The NTSB says topics will include Metro's...

Power Breakfast for November 12, 2009

Today the organization Human Rights First releases a new report on a problem in U.S. immigration laws. The problem is the language used to define terrorist organizations and activity. Human rights attorney Anwen Hughes says it casts a broad net that snares too many people.

Elizabeth Wynne J...

Conversations...Michael Cottman Speaks With John Piltzecker

As part of our continuing series "Conversations," reporter Michael Cottman speaks with John Piltzecker, the newly-appointed superintendent of the National Mall & Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C.

Piltzecker discusses his vision for the future of the National Mall.

Wheelchair-Accessible Taxis Come to D.C.

By Jamila Bey

Twenty wheelchair-accessible taxicabs will be in service full-time in the District by January.

None of D.C.'s 6,500 taxis can serve passengers who use wheelchairs, and require a ramp or a lift to enter a vehicle. D.C. will get its first four wheelchair-accessible taxicab...

U.S. Vets Still Want to Serve

By Rebecca Sheir

A new study suggests most troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan want to keep serving their communities.

Ninety percent of the nearly 800 veterans in the study say they'd like to engage in community service. Retired Colonel Robert Gordon believes its what veterans...

Virginia Health Officials Say Guillain-Barre Syndrome Million-To-One-Shot

By Michael Pope

Health officials in Virginia are urging people to get the vaccination for swine flu despite growing concerns about side effects.

MSNBC is reporting that a 14-year-old Virginia male contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome after receiving the vaccination for swine flu. But do...

Columbia Pike Streetcar Line Plans: Old Meets New

By Jonathan Wilson

Arlington County is moving closer to finalizing plans for a five mile streetcar line along Columbia Pike and now some say streetcar lines have a place in other parts of Northern Virginia.

The images conjured by the sound of an old streetcar bell may help inspire a s...

Latest Maryland Regional News

TEMPLE HILLS, Md. (AP) U.S. Park Police have released the name of a man hit and killed by two U.S. Secret Service vehicles. Police say 53-year-old Larry Moore of Temple Hills died after being hit early yesterday on the Suitland Parkway near Naylor Road.

ADELPHI, Md. (AP) The University Syst...

Maryland University System Rejects Legislative Mandate to Regulate Porn

By Rebecca Blatt

The University of Maryland Board of Regents has decided not to create a policy regulating pornographic films despite a legislative mandate to do so. The requirement was written into the state budget in the last legislative session.

It followed a controversy over a scr...

Latest D.C. Local News

WASHINGTON (AP) The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington says it won't continue social service programs it runs for the District if the proposed same-sex marriage law isn't changed. The bill states religious organizations wouldn't have to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings, but t...

Black Clergy At Odds Over Swine Flu Vaccine

By David Schultz

The leaders of some African American churches in the D.C. region are coming together to fight the H1N1 virus, but there's some disagreement when it comes to getting vaccinated.

Reverend Anthony Evans founded the National Black Church Initiative to promote health in Af...

Latest Virginia Regional News

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) Flooding from persistent heavy rain and downed trees have blocked roads and closed schools in western Virginia. Authorities reported secondary roads closed in the Roanoke and New River valleys, in the Lynchburg area and in Rockbridge County.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) The state wi...

"Smart Buoy" Placed In Severn River In Maryland

By Matt Bush

A seventh buoy that records information such as weather conditions and water quality levels has been placed in the Chesapeake Bay. The buoy will be located at the mouth of the Severn River near Annapolis.

Towson University To Prohibit All Smoking On Campus

By Matt McCleskey

Towson University in Maryland is banning all smoking on campus. Smoking is already banned inside buildings at Towson, but the expanded ban that will go into effect next August will prohibit lighting up anywhere on campus grounds. Administrators say the policy will reduce h...

Report: Chemicals From Everyday Products Causing Intersex Fish

By Patrick Madden

Researchers at a local non-profit say hormone-disrupting chemicals are seeping into the Potomac River and creating a "toxic stew" for fish and other wildlife. Their names are exotic: biphenol, atrazine, estradiol. But these chemicals are found in everyday products: plastic...

Archdiocese: We'll Pull Service Programs If Same-Sex Marriage Law Isn't Changed

By Natalie Neumann

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is threatening to pull some social service programs it runs for the District if the proposed same-sex marriage law is not changed.

The bill does not require religious organizations to perform same-sex weddings or make space ava...

"Art Beat" With Stephanie Kaye - Thursday, November 12, 2009

By Stephanie Kaye

(November 15) IF I CAN'T DANCE Parkinson's disease plays a part in a new production by Bowen McCauley Dance on the Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage Sunday at 6 p.m. "If I Can't Dance" rounds out a trio of premiere performances by professionals and youth. It features dancer...