Join The Conversation! Talk about the news of the day with public radio fans on WAMU 88.5's The Conversation.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Your Amazon.com purchases support WAMU 88.5
Your purchases from the NPR Store support WAMU 88.5
November 18, 2009 - WASHINGTON (AP) Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are holding a hearing on whether Washington should be able to handle its budget and write laws without oversight by Congress. The city's budget and laws currently have to pass a review by Congress. A House subcommittee holds a hearing today called "Greater Autonomy for the Nation's Capital."
WASHINGTON (AP) The staff of the shuttered Washington Blade plans to publish a revived edition this week, investigating who killed the gay weekly newspaper. The paper was abruptly closed Monday by Atlanta-based Window Media, along with other gay publications in Atlanta and Miami.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
November 18, 2009 - ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) A state panel has approved more than $361 million in spending reductions and reversions recommended by Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration to help meet Maryland's budget shortfall. The cuts were higher than the $300 million in revisions that had been expected.
WHEATON, Md. (AP) Montgomery County police say the death of a man whose body was found in the road early today is a homicide. Police identified the victim as 34-year-old Samuel Dejesus Chacon of New Carrollton.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs will miss Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts because of a knee injury. Ravens coach John Harbaugh says Suggs has a sprained ligament in his right knee.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
November 18, 2009 - ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) First Lady Michelle Obama received a few gardening tips from some children as she toured a northern Virginia elementary school's vegetable garden. Mrs. Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Hollin Meadows Elementary in Alexandria today to promote the Obama administration's Healthier U.S. Schools initiative.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Virginia health officials are advising against consuming walleye fish caught in Lake Gaston because of mercury contamination. State officials say recent fish-tissue sample results show levels of the toxic metal in walleye exceed the amount considered safe for long-term human consumption.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) An apartment building fire in Richmond sent nine people to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Officials say one woman jumped from a window to escape the flames. She suffered a leg injury.
FERRUM, Va. (AP) A hunter faces manslaughter and other charges after authorities say he fired at college students he mistook for a deer, leaving one dead and another wounded. Authorities say 31-year-old Jason David Cloutier of Ferrum was charged with manslaughter, reckless handling of a firearm and trespassing.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
November 18, 2009 - By Rebecca Sheir
Members of D.C.'s LGBT community are skeptical about the Metropolitan Police Department's plans to expand its gay and lesbian liaison unit.
The GLLU had seven members when it began nine years ago. As MPD Assistant Chief Diane Groomes explained Tuesday at a public meeting, now "there are four officers assigned; however, only two are full duty." So MPD is offering voluntary GLLU training to officers later this month. "And I think with this expansion there will be more outreach," says Groomes, "more availability, you know, more contact for the community."
Still, some members of the community aren't so sure. Like Todd Metrokin, of Gays and Lesbians Opposed to Violence, or GLOV. He says MPD statistics indicate a rise in anti-gay hate crimes.
"So I hope that your reorganization of the MPD is truly going to be able to address this problem," says Metrokin. "I fear that it's not, but I hope for the best."
June Crenshaw, another activist, has fears of her own. "So the Chief's goal is for all of the 4,000-plus officers to be culturally competent in specialty areas, says Crenshaw. "Why is this training optional and not mandatory?"
Groomes says MPD wants to train officers who are especially motivated to tackle LGBT issues. So far, nearly two-dozen officers are interested in taking part. "Maybe more would want to once they learn what it's about, but I think it's good for a start," says Groomes.
The training is scheduled to begin November 30th.
Assistant Chief Diane Groomes explains MPD's plans for the GLLU.
Courtesy of: Rebecca Sheir
November 18, 2009 - By Jonathan Wilson
Supporters of a measure to ban same-sex marriage in Washington are taking their case to D.C.'s Superior Court--again.
Lawyers for the Alliance Defense Fund and Stand 4 Marriage D.C. have filed a lawsuit challenging Tuesday's ruling by the city's board of elections and ethics.
The ruling stated that putting a same-sex marriage ban on the a ballot would violate the city's Human Rights Act. The Alliance Defense Fund and Stand 4 Marriage D.C. say the board's reasoning is invalid.
Both the ruling and the court challenge were expected. A Superior Court Judge rejected a similar request from same-sex marriage opponents in June.
November 18, 2009 - By Megan Hughes
D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and City Council Chair Vincent Gray pressed Congress to give the district more autonomy.
District resident Nikolas Schiller wore colonial garb to today's hearing, a protest that D.C. still has no representation. But Capitol police ordered him to remove his tri-cornered hat.
"The police escorted me out, checked my ID and they let me back in with the understanding I would not put the hat back on," says Schiller.
Currently, the district's budgets and any laws passed by city council have to be reviewed by Congress. Fenty says that creates problems for city schools. "We approve a budget that's not actually passed until more than a month after the school year begins," says Fenty. "Imagine if you had to manage your bank account by spending money you haven't even got yet."
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton's proposal removes that requirement. Congress would have the option to review D.C. laws.
November 18, 2009 - By David Schultz
For holiday travelers, it's that time of year again, when roads become clogged and airports get frantic.
Susanna Quinn is killing time in a gift shop at Reagan National Airport before her flight departs. She's traveling today, and she'll be traveling again next week with her husband and children. "We have family in Colorado," says Quinn, "And it's nice to get out there and ski before it gets really crowded."
Quinn isn't worried about long lines and delayed flights. Her family is leaving on Monday instead of Thanksgiving Day, which is Thursday. Quinn says it was difficult to get time off from work and school, "but ultimately it's worth it, in terms of having to fight the crowds and definitely paying less airfare."
John Townshend with AAA's mid-Atlantic division says Quinn made a wise choice. "It is going to be crunch city here next week," says Townshend. Townshend predicts a large increase in the number of travelers leaving the D.C. region compared with last year's holiday season, much larger than in the rest of the country. "And I think the reason for that," says Townshend, "is that so many Washingtonians are not really Washingtonians. They're from other parts of the country."
Townshend says Wednesday will be the busiest day for airports, but roads won't get really crowded until late Wednesday or early Thursday.
Lines are short at Reagan National Airport, but come Thanksgiving next week, they're expected to swell. AAA Mid-Atlantic predicts travel in airports and roads in the D.C. region will be higher than in other parts of the country.
Courtesy of: David Schultz
November 18, 2009 - By Meymo Lyons
The defense has rested in Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's theft trial after calling four witness. The defense called two witnesses this morning, Dixon's pastor and a florist who testified about an anonymous delivery from Dixon's former boyfriend, developer Ronald Lipscomb. The testimony was allowed even though counts involving Lipscomb were dismissed and jurors were instructed to disregard testimony that involved him.
Prosecutors say Dixon used gift cards for the needy on personal shopping sprees. The defense says Lipscomb anonymously gave Dixon gift cards for her own use, and she thought a gift card delivery from another developer was from Lipscomb. The mayor is also accused of misusing cards from a charity event.
November 18, 2009 - By Natalie Neumann
Virginia expects its food exports to Cuba to increase this year.
The state's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says Virginia's exports to Cuba are expected to rise by more than 10 percent this year. The department's preliminary figures show agricultural exports to Cuba, including apples, poultry and soybeans, were worth about $45 million in the first nine months of 2009. That compares with just under $41 million worth of exports in all of 2008. The increase comes at a time when overall U.S. food exports to the communist country are on the decline.
A state delegation including Agriculture Commissioner Todd Haymore recently visted Cuba. Haymore tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Cuban representatives told the delegation overall agricultural imports from the U.S. would be down about 37 percent in 2009.
November 18, 2009 - By Matt McCleskey
More doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine are coming to parts the Washington area.
Virginia's Fairfax County is planning a mass vaccination clinic this Saturday at the County Government Center. It will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the county says it has the capacity to vaccinate up to 12,000 people. Still, due to limited supplies, the vaccine will be available only to people in priority groups including pregnant women, health care workers, those who live with or care for infants younger than six months, children between 6 months and 24 years old, and people with certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk.
Prince William County has scheduled clinics this week at the Manassas Mall from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, and Monday and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. There's also a clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Gar-Field Senior High School and at various times at county health clinics in Woodbridge and Manassas. All are for people in priority groups.
Maryland's Montgomery County will have 5,000 doses of the vaccine, also for priority groups, this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rockville campus of Montgomery College.
More doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine will be available in Fairfax, Prince William and Montgomery Counties.
Courtesy of: www.flickr.com/photos/alvi2047
November 18, 2009 - By Meymo Lyons
The defense has rested in the theft trial of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Prosecutors allege Dixon used gift cards intended for the needy for her personal shopping sprees. The defense took only Tuesday afternoon and part of Wednesday morning to present its case.
Earlier Tuesday, visiting Judge Dennis Sweeney agreed with the defense that the evidence was insufficient to proceed with two charges related to gift cards provided by the mayor's former boyfriend, developer Ronald Lipscomb. He dismissed two of the seven charges the mayor faced.
November 18, 2009 - By Elliott Francis
Cab drivers in Prince George's County, Maryland are on a two-day strike to protest job conditions. They park their cabs outside the county office in Upper Marlboro, and get to work. But instead of shuttling passengers, they're driving home a point.
Attorneys for the drivers say, cab companies are breaking the rules and the county has failed to take action.
The cabbies cite inadequate insurance, a dysfunctional voucher program and the resale of taxi certifications. Strike organizer George Lawson says sub-letting the authorization is illegal.
"On the back of the certificate it says, '...not for leasing' but in fact they're leased in mass to one another between the two or three cab companies."
Tony Jackson lives in the county. He agrees cabbies should demand accountability from owners.
"They're not going to see that the cab drivers have everything that they need and make sure they're protected," Jackson says.
Cab drivers want comprehensive legislative action from the county council.
Cab drivers in Prince George’s County are protesting the resale of taxi certifications, among other things.
Courtesy of: Elliott Francis
November 18, 2009 - (November 19) BILSON ON THE BROADWOOD This week offers a classical cornucopia. First, Bilson plays the Broadwood at the The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland tomorrow night at 7:30pm. Master musician Malcolm Bilson tickles the 200-year-old ivories of the Broadwood piano for a night of Haydn, Schumann and Chopin.
(November 19-21) DEMONS, DRAMA, DANCE Then, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra presents Demons, Drama and Dance tomorrow night at the Strathmore and Friday and Saturday in Baltimore at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The program includes theRed Cape Tango from Daugherty's "Metropolis Symphony," Liszt's Dance of Death and the Symphonie fantastique by Berlioz.
(November 20 & 22) ECLIPSE ORCHESTRA And finally, Eclipse Orchestra brings the annual Brandenburg Festival to St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Northwest D.C. Friday and Sunday nights at 7:30 p.m. The festival features more Bach than you can shake a stick at--unless, of course, you're the conductor.
November 18, 2009 - By Jonathan Wilson
The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics has decided not to put a same-sex marriage ban on the ballot in the District, but same-sex marriage opponents say they're ready to appeal the decision.
The board says putting the measure on the ballot would violate D.C. law. "There are certain subject matters that cannot be put on the ballot," says Ken Mcghie, the board's general counsel. "One of them is something that would discriminate or authorize discrimination in violation of the city's Human Rights Act."
Stand 4 Marriage D.C., the group that proposed the measure, has ten days to file an appeal with the D.C. Superior Court. Pastor Derek McCoy, a member of the coalition, says the group is prepared to appeal the case all the way to the Supreme Court.
"We believe that one of these courts are going to hear our case and rule favorably," says McCoy. "We are going to be pressing full steam ahead to make forward progress on this issue."
McCoy says the decision is part of a concerted effort by city leaders to silence local residents on the same-sex marriage debate.
The D.C. Board of Elections has decided not to put a same-sex marriage ban on the ballot.
Courtesy of: Mana Rabiee
November 18, 2009 - By Patrick Madden
Police in D.C. say the killing of nine-year-old Oscar Fuentes was not gang related. But Police Chief Cathy Lanier says the suspect had ties to MS-13. Residents in the building where the boy was killed say they are terrified by the gangs.
Outside the building where Oscar Fuentes once lived, candles burn from a late-night vigil. City workers are throwing a quick coat of whitewash over the front of the building. They've painted over about two dozen gang graffiti signs. Residents watch from the front steps. Mariah Arias is there with her young daughter. She says the graffiti will be back up in a week.
The police have painted the killing as a robbery attempt gone bad. The mayor blasted the landlord for not replacing the broken front door. But residents at 1433 Columbia Road say the building needs more than a face-lift. They say they've complained to police for years about the gangs. But Chief Lanier says until a gang member commits an actual crime, there is little police can do to get them out of the neighborhood.
D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Police Chief Cathy Lanier announcing the arrest of a suspect in the shooting of 9-year-old Oscar Fuentes.
Courtesy of: Patrick Madden/WAMU 88.5 NEWS
November 18, 2009 - By Sara Sciammacco
Virginia Congressman Jim Moran has introduced a bill to combat obesity among kids. But some in the advertising industry say it goes too far.
Moran's bill lets the federal government regulate the advertising and marketing of food and beverages to children. Obesity numbers in Virginia aren't as bad as other states, with 23 percent of the population obese. Still, Moran says the problem is national and the government needs to step in.
"Children are very susceptible to commercials that advertise snack food and sugar pop and they are influenced by them and they tell their parents to buy them and their parents, if they don't know any better, do buy them and even sell them through some of the school systems," says Moran.
Under Moran's bill, the government decides which foods and beverages can be labeled as healthy and acceptable to children. It limits exposure of those that are not deemed nutritional. An executive for the Association of National Advertisers says the bill will likely violate the First Amendment.
Virginia Congressman Jim Moran's bill calls for the federal government to decide which foods and beverages can be labeled as healthy and acceptable for children.
Courtesy of: Sara Sciammacco
November 18, 2009 - By Kavitha Cardoza
The former editor of the Washington Blade says the newspaper will publish a revived edition this week. Kevin Naff is the former editor of the Blade. He says he and his staff are determined to publish a print and online edition this Friday.
The Blade was the oldest newspaper in the country for gays and lesbians and had just celebrated its 40th anniversary. It was abruptly closed Monday by Window Media, along with other gay publications in Atlanta and Miami.
Naff says he can't reveal the new publication's name as yet and says it will be "modest."
"It's not going to be 100 pages of newsprint it might be four pages of something copied at Kinko's but something will be out on the streets and we will grow it from there."
Naff says they will try to find out why two offers from prospective publishers to buy the Blade were not accepted earlier this year.
Kevin Naff is the former editor of the now-defunct Washington Blade.
Courtesy of: Kavitha Cardoza
November 18, 2009 - The gunfire at Fort Hood has just begun to ricochet in Washington.
Today, the leaders of several Senate committees go behind closed doors with Attorney General Eric Holder for another briefing about who knew what, when before the massacre at Fort Hood.
Elizabeth Wynne Johnson reports...
privacy policy - terms of use - contact - sitemap - directions - rss - podcasts - jobs - community
Copyright WAMU 88.5 American University Radio | 4000 Brandywine Street NW | Washington, DC 20016-8082 | (202)885-1200
