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Latest D.C. Local News

November 17, 2009 - WASHINGTON (AP) D.C.'s Board of Ethics and Elections has ruled that a measure giving voters the option to ban same-sex unions cannot go on the city's ballot. The elections board says putting the measure on the ballot would conflict with the city's Human Rights Act.

WASHINGTON (AP) Police have made an arrest in the case of a nine-year-old boy who was fatally shot when a bullet pierced the door of his northwest Washington home. D.C. police say 26-year-old Josue Pena was arrested in Hyattsville, Maryland, today and charged with first-degree murder.

WASHINGTON (AP) A D.C. Council member says he will subpoena two employees who didn't testify during hearings on a park projects contract that council members have questioned as improper. Council member Harry Thomas Junior wants the employees to explain their part in an arrangement in which millions of dollars were transferred from the parks department to the housing authority via the deputy mayor's office.

WASHINGTON (AP) A teenager has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder for shooting a man last week as he boarded a Metrobus in northeast Washington. Seventeen-year-old Jeffrey Britt appeared in court Saturday on charges he killed 21-year-old George Rawlings.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Latest Maryland Regional News

November 17, 2009 - BALTIMORE (AP) The judge in Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's theft trial has dismissed two of the seven charges against her. A judge ruled the evidence was insufficient to proceed with charges related to gift cards provided by the mayor's former boyfriend, developer Ronald Lipscomb.

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) The Montgomery County Council has approved a bill that would force chain restaurants to post calorie counts on their menus. The measure was approved today and the regulations would take effect in July 2010.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Latest Virginia Regional News

November 17, 2009 - RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Gov. Kaine will not stop the execution of a former Army counterintelligence worker from Maryland who is set to die by electrocution for killing a northern Virginia couple. Sixty-year-old Larry Bill Elliott is scheduled to be executed at 9 p.m. today at for the January 2001 shooting deaths of 25-year-old Dana Thrall and 30-year-old Robert Finch.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Virginia lawmakers have learned that state government could experience a budget shortfall of nearly $3 billion in the next two fiscal years. The grim forecast for the next state budget comes on top of $5.6 billion in reductions to the current two-year state budget.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Gov. Kaine is commending the Virginia Board of Education for its efforts to improve education for the state's 1 million-plus students. Kaine met with board members at their monthly meeting today to talk about the panel's work during his term.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) A 570-foot barge that went aground in the surf off of Virginia Beach is making its way back to open waters. Salvage crews began towing the barge with two tugs this morning. They plan to use a third tug at high tide this evening to move the barge even more.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Calorie Counts Could Be On The Menu In Montgomery County

November 17, 2009 - By Natalie Neumann

Calorie counts could be the newest item on some menus in Maryland's Montgomery County. The County Council is expected to pass the bill which would force chain restaurants to post calorie counts on their menus.

Proponents tell the Washington Examiner the rule would give consumers the information they need to make healthy eating choices. But restaurant owners say revising menus will cost them money. And they say it's the wrong time for such a change because many restaurants are struggling in the recession.

Earlier versions of the bill required restaurants with 10 or more locations nationally to post fat, sodium and calorie contents on their menus. The latest version would apply to restaurants with 20 or more facilities nationally and would only require calorie information.

A similar law is in effect in New York City.

Commentary...Trust...Larry Checco

November 17, 2009 - Commentator Larry Checco says it may be easier to follow Ralph Waldo Emerson's advice to "trust thyself" than it is to trust anyone else.

Checco is a Washington-area consultant and organizational coach.

Tell us what you think on the Commentary Forum.

Palin's "Going Rogue" Is Not A Best-seller Among D.C. Residents

November 17, 2009 - By Alex Keefe

Sarah Palin's highly anticipated autobiography hit bookstores this morning. Pre-sales have made the book by the former Republican Vice Presidential candidate a bestseller on Amazon.com, but there seems to be less excitement at D.C. bookstores.

Outside a Border's bookstore on a busy street corner in downtown Washington this morning, people weren't exactly lining up to buy Sarah Palin's new book, "Going Rogue." One employee says, despite all the press, only three copies were sold in the first hour.

Debbie Collins, who works in downtown D.C., came out of the bookstore with a breakfast pastry, but without a copy of Palin's book. "She grates my nerves, so I don't like her at all," says Collins.

D.C. resident Gary Winstead, who was doing some Christmas shopping, says "Going Rogue" isn't on his list. "I live with two Republicans," says Winstead. "I'm a Democrat and they will definitely be buying the book. If I want to read it, I'll probably read theirs."

Several Washington bookstores say, with Democrats in control of Congress and the White House, they are not expecting big sales. According to the D.C. Board of Elections, roughly seventy-five percent of D.C. voters are currently registered democrats.

"Art Beat" With Stephanie Kaye - Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Stephanie Kaye

November 17, 2009 - (Nov 18) PINK JAMS! The Pink Jams concert combines the country-tinged tunes of Justin Trawick and the rock-infused ballads of Memphis 59 for a breast cancer fundraiser at the Clarendon Ballroom in Virginia tomorrow night at 7:30. Wear your dancing shoes to raise $10,000 for the 2010 Washington walk for breast cancer. You can change into your walking shoes for the 40-mile, two-day event in May.

(November 18-January 3) CAMELOT The halcyon days of Camelot return to Maryland, at the Olney Theatre Center, opening tomorrow and running through January 3rd. Based on the book The Once and Future King, Arthur and his knights ride the stage creating a kingdom full of passion, chivalry and betrayal.

(November 18-22) MGFest 2009 The D.C. Motion Graphics Festival showcases explosive artists and motion picture creators tomorrow through Sunday at venues around Washington. From Nine Inch Nails to David Byrne, Public Enemy's Chuck D and Passion Pictures, the festival features the latest in music and movie artistry.

Sir Paul McCartney In Line For Prize

November 17, 2009 - By Bill Redlin

Sir Paul McCartney is returning to Washington next year. The former Beatle is going to receive the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress. An all-star tribute concert will also be staged in his honor in the spring of 2010, although the library has not announced who will be taking part.

The 67-year-old music legend recently completed a five-week summer tour of the United States, and a stop in Washington was included. James Billington of the Library of Congress says it's hard to think of another performer and composer who has had a more transformative effect than the lad from Liverpool.

Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon won the first two Gershwin prizes. The library houses the manuscripts of the songwriting duet George and Ira Gershwin.

Montgomery County Council Takes Votes On Transportation Issues Today

November 17, 2009 - Montgomery County Council will make its final recommendations later this morning on three major transportation projects. The council will vote on whether to recommend lower tolls on the Intercounty Connector.

The body will also vote on the expansion of I-270, and whether the Corridor Cities Transit-way should be light rail or buses.

Matt Bush reports...

D.C. Distributes Free Re-Usable Bags

November 17, 2009 - The District is handing out more than a hundred thousand re-usable bags... a few weeks before residents have to pay for most plastic and paper ones.

When the so-called "bag bill" becomes law on Jan. 1st, shoppers will be have to pay a five-cent fee for every bag they use at shops and stores. Until then, the city says it will distribute free re-usable bags to seniors and low-income residents.

D.C. Councilman Tommy Wells says the goal of the legislation is to reduce plastic bag trash in the Anacostia River. He expects the city to raise between three and four million dollars in fees. Most of that money will go to cleaning up the river.

Patrick Madden reports...

Virginia Democrat Supports Republican Bill To Boost Nuclear Power

November 17, 2009 - By Eric Niiler

Virginia Democratic Senator Jim Webb has thrown his support behind a Republican bill to boost nuclear power in the U.S. Webb says he doesn't like the Democrat's climate change legislation. He says the cap and trade bill with its pollution credit market is too complex.

Webb is co-sponsoring a plan with a Republican from Tennessee that doubles U.S. nuclear plants with federal loan guarantees. He says building one hundred new reactors is more realistic than running a cap and trade system.

"What we have here is something that is targeted. It's achievable. These are things we know we can do; that's what is so important about it to me. It will increase our ability to resolve carbon dioxide emissions outside of this other bill."

The bill also provides one and a half billion dollars to develop ways of recycling nuclear waste. But critics say the government needs to figure out the waste issue before building more nuclear plants.

Local Non-Profits Urged to Collaborate

November 17, 2009 - By Rebecca Sheir

Leaders of non-profit groups in the D.C. area are looking to each other to help weather the current economic storm.

As the recession forces non-profits to provide more services with less funds, Chuck Bean of the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington has an idea: "We need something like e-harmony.com, non-profit speed-dating," he says.

In other words, more ways for non-profits to partner up.

Bean is a member of the WAMU 88.5 community council. At an event titled Nonprofit 911: Whats Next, he was among several speakers to applaud recent partnerships, such as N Street Village and Unity Healthcare, and Dance Place and Artspace.

Bean says in this economy, sharing facilities, capital and other resources will help local non-profits tighten their belts without losing their shirts.

Fairfax Co. to Get 415 Biotech Jobs Starting in January

November 17, 2009 - By Jonathan Wilson

In Virginia Governor Tim Kaine says Fairfax County will get 415 new jobs starting in January. This comes after a year that saw the states unemployment rate hit a 17 year high.

Governor Kaine joined local politicians in front of a large crowd inside the Fairfax County Government Center to announce 415 high paying, biotech jobs coming to Fairfax.

They'll come from the Ignite Institute, a new non-profit medical research center closely linked with Inova Health Systems.

Jerry Gordon, president of Fairfax County's Economic Development Authority calls Ignite's $200 million investment in Fairfax an economy changer.

"This is something that is going to create jobs, wealth, tax base, and renown for Fairfax County as this organization gets off the ground," Gordon said.

Also on hand was the governor-elect, Bob McDonnell. He says luring companies like Ignite help the state move away from its current 6.7 percent unemployment rate.

"Obviously, the best thing that we can do for all of our citizens is to find more projects like this to bring to VA to bring jobs and opportunity," McDonnell says.

The state gave the company 25 million dollars in incentive grants.

Power Breakfast for November 17, 2009

November 17, 2009 - The Senate hunkers down this week to advance a health care overhaul bill.

Elizabeth Wynne Johnson reports...

Taxicab Drivers in Prince George's Co. MD on Strike

November 17, 2009 - By Elliott Francis

Taxicab drivers in Prince George's County are on strike. They claim the county is not enforcing certain guidelines that protect their livelihood.

One of the issues driving the work stoppage today and Wednesday is focused on the certificates which allow a vehicle to legally operate as a taxi.

Advancement Project is a legal advocacy group representing the taxi driver's alliance. They claim that of the 785 certificates issued to taxicab companies in the county, approximately two thirds have been sub-leased to other companies, in violation of county's taxicab code.

Aurora Vasquez is senior Attorney for Advancement Project.

"What it means to the individual taxicab driver is that their opportunity to own one of these certificates becomes non-existent...especially when the county doesn't require someone who's misusing the certificate to return it," Vasquez says.

County spokesperson Jim Carrey says the charges are unsupported.

"They've made allegations and we're asked them for specifics, and we're not getting those specifics," Carrey says.

Drivers are also demanding the county enforce rules for comprehensive insurance coverage, and review of the voucher system of payment.

Some D.C. Council Members Want Expanded Insurance Coverage Of Autism

November 17, 2009 - By Kavitha Cardoza

Some council members in D.C. want children with autism to have access to expanded therapies to reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life. Council Tommy Wells says insurance plans cover some but not all therapies. Families that can afford to can spend tens of thousands of dollars, while low income families simply have to go without care. He says expanding coverage for autism also makes financial sense.

"We know that for some youth depending on where they are in the spectrum, they'll actually be able to avoid going into special education. Special education costs at a minimum costs $ 21,000 a year while traditional public schools cost about eight or nine," Wells says.

Insurance companies will have a chance to talk about how this proposal will affect them in the coming months.

Fifteen states have required autism be included in coverage plans. Maryland and Virginia have bills pending in their legislatures.

A School's Turnaround Offers Lessons

November 17, 2009 - By Sabri Ben-Achour

A school district in Richmond, VA says a novel approach to school violence has yielded dramatic results.

17-year old Keion Daniel remembers how his high school years began in Richmond.

"It was crazy. We had a drive-by my freshman year," Daniel says.

Gangs ran amok. Fights, drugs and truancy were a part of daily life for thousands of students, including Daniel, who was suspended 13 times. But not anymore.

"It's been a big change, I'll tell you that," he says.

The change has been dramatic and school-wide. Truancy dropped from 60% to 19%.

How did this happen?

A very special type of mentoring.

"We're using young adults, maybe five or six years older than the young people, who were drug dealers, who were gang members, who were troubled kids," says Robert Woodson.

He helped develop what's called the Violence Free Zone program. It doesn't use social workers who work nine-to-five or drop in just once a week. These mentors are available around the clock, they socialize with the students, relate to them, and gain their trust.

David McCoy is Assistant Police Chief for Richmond he says his truancy officers used to haul kids back to school in droves, but the roots of the problem went unaddressed. Until now.

"We've seen a reduction in truancy, a reduction in suspensions, hopefully an increase in graduates," says McCoy.

Studies in Milwaukee show the same drastic results, the school district voted this year to invest $1.7 million dollars to bring the program to 8 schools there.

On Morning Edition: Sheila Dixon Trial

November 17, 2009 - The criminal theft trial of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon continues today. The Democrat has been accused of personally using gift cards prosecutors say were intended for charity. Dixon has pleaded not guilty to seven theft-related charges, and she would lose her office if convicted.

Baltimore Sun Columnist Jean Marbella joins WAMU's Morning Edition Host Matt McCleskey to talk about the trial.

Montgomery County Staffer Alleges Discrimination

November 17, 2009 - By Sabri Ben-Achour

A Montgomery County Council staffer is filing the first ever discrimination complaint against the county under it's new human rights law.

Dana Beyer says she has been unfairly targeted by the Montgomery County Ethics Commission because of her private work to protect transgendered people like herself from discrimination.

"The ethics committee has made a blatant political attack on me because I am the first transgendered staffer in Maryland," says Beyer. Beyer says the ethics commission is investigating her because she was accused of using her job with the county to intimidate activists opposed to a bill protecting transgendered people from discrimination. Beyer says the commission is investigating her private advocacy work.

Beyer is a member of Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg's staff. Beyer says the commission secretly searched her computer illegally without her boss's knowledge, and then leaked the existence of the investigation to her colleagues. The Commission did not return calls by press time.

D.C. Board Of Elections Says No To Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Measure

November 17, 2009 - By Jonathan Wilson

The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics has decided not to let voters decide on a same-sex marriage ban.

Opponents of same-sex marriage, called the Stand 4 Marriage D.C. Coalition, wanted to put a same-sex marriage ban on the ballot in the District.

But the city's elections board says putting the measure to a vote would violate the city's Human Rights Act. "Voting on something, a human rights issue, is not something that can be on a ballot in the District of Columbia," says Ken McGhie the Board of Election's General Counsel.

Pastor Derek McCoy with the Stand 4 Marriage DC Coalition says the decision is part of a concerted effort by city leaders to make sure local residents are silenced on the issue of same-sex marriage.

"We see that this is not one of those issues that the city council is being reflective of its constituents in any means, or that the board of elections is even thinking about the citizens of the District of Columbia," says McCoy.

The coalition has ten days to file an appeal with the D.C. Superior Court.