: News
By Elliott Francis
Starting next month, cigarettes sold in Virginia must comply with standards aimed at making them less likely to start fires.
The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation in 2008 requiring cigarettes sold in the state to meet standards that make them more likely to self-extinguish. The key change is the type of paper used, which has several rows of less-porous bands which slow a cigarette's burn rate and makes it more likely to extinguish when discarded or left unattended.
Preliminary data collected by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs shows that in 2009, cigarettes and other smoking materials were identified as the cause of 150 structure fires, and four fatalities.
Where's Jimmy Hoffa? Everywhere And Nowhere
FBI agents believe they have a credible lead on the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa's body. If they're right, it will solve a longstanding mystery, which will also deflate Hoffa's resonance in popular culture.The Mystery Of the Ridiculously Pricey Bag Of Potatoes
Did a 10-pound bag of potatoes really cost $15 back in 2008? We get to the bottom of some puzzling numbers in the lawsuit alleging America's potato growers have become a spud cartel.Boehner Seeks To Reassure House GOP On Immigration
House Speaker John Boehner strongly suggested he would abide by the Hastert Rule on immigration legislation, meaning no floor vote unless a majority of House Republicans backed the bill.Teens Find The Right Tools For Their Social-Media Jobs
There was a time — a time long, long ago — when MySpace dominated the teen social-media world. Not anymore. NPR's Sami Yenigun looks at how teenagers use various social platforms in today's increasingly segmented online universe.Leave a Comment
Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.
-
Inspiration For Change
Metro Connection is looking for personal accounts of how inspiration happens. Tell us your story. more >> -
Deals For Developers
WAMU investigates city subsidies to developers and campaign contributions from the companies. more >> -
Beating The Odds
Beating the Odds is an annual series that features remarkable students seem destined to succeed despite... more >> -
Have A Child With Special Needs?
The Kojo Nnamdi Show is exploring the challenges faced by parents and would like to hear from you. more >> -
Aging and Abuse
With an aging population, elder abuse is expected to increase. We look at the complexities of elder abuse in... more >> -
Half The Battle
Jobs? Relationships? Bills? Why it is so hard for young vets transitioning home. An AU project. more >> -
Volunteer Recognition
The volunteer of the year award and special projects award are given to a WAMU 88.5 volunteer each year for... more >> -
Yesterday's Dropouts
This series examines the struggles adults face after they leave school without a diploma. more >> -
New Bible
Bill Cain isn't just an award-winning playwright; he's also a Jesuit priest. And he brings the two together... more >> -
Public Insight
Share your knowledge and insights about timely issues with journalists from WAMU 88.5 more >> -
In-Kind Donation Program
By providing an in-kind donation, you may be eligible for a tax deduction, without a cash commitment, and... more >> -
Follow Us On Twitter
To get the latest local stories from WAMU 88.5 News, follow us on Twitter. more >>
