WAMU 88.5 : News

Filed Under:

Battle Over Wal-Mart Super Center In Virginia

Play associated audio

The board of supervisors in Virginia's Orange County is asking a judge to reject a legal challenge by preservationists to a putting a Wal-Mart Super Center near a civil war battlefield there.

Wal-Mart plans to build a large scale super center less than half a mile from the Locust Grove area of the Wilderness battlefield in northern Virginia. The board approved the project in August, but preservationists still are opposed to it.

At a hearing today a judge is set to decide whether their legal challenge can go forward.

The Battle of the Wilderness was the first where troops under Union General Ulysses S. Grant faced those under Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Thousands of soldiers on both sides were killed or injured there 145 years ago.

Preservationists argue moving the store somewhere else is the best way to uphold that legacy. But supporters have said the super center would bring badly needed jobs and economic development to the area.

NPR

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.
NPR

Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame

The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.
NPR

IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify

Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says. She is accused of closely scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status.
NPR

Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One Game System

Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox One Tuesday, displaying a device that takes new steps in game consoles' journey into becoming all-purpose entertainment and communication devices. The new console replaces the Xbox 360, which has been on the market for more than seven years.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.