News Archive - October 1, 2010

EPA Calls Out Virginia

By Sabri Ben-Achour

The Environmental Protection Agency announced it will spend nearly a half billion dollars on Chesapeake Bay restoration in the coming year to help states comply with growing pressure from the federal government to restore the bay. But not all states are falling in line....

Many Metro Workers Not Reporting Safety Problems

By David Schultz

Metro says a new survey has found many of its workers are not reporting safety problems they witness because they fear retaliation.

Sixty percent of the workers Metro surveyed said they had witnessed a safety concern or violation over the past year, Metro spokesman St...

Art Beat for Friday, October 1st, 2010

"Art Beat" with Sabri Ben-Achour – Weekend Events, October 1-3, 2010

(October 1-3) DISTRICT DANCE-OFF El Teatro De Danza hosts the District’s first Latin American Dance Festival at Dance Place in Northeast Washington tonight through Sunday. Virtuoso dancers from North and Central America bu...

MarylandReporter.com State Roundup, October 1, 2010

From the MarylandReporter.com website:

DNC BUCKS Paul West of the Baltimore Sun blogs that the Democratic National Committee has just put another $125,000 into Maryland, bringing the total for the campaign cycle to $225,000.

BIZ BOARDS ENDORSE The Greater Washington Board of Trade has...

Shrinking Budget Limits Virginia Liquor Privatization Plan

By Jonathan Wilson

In Virginia, Governor Bob McDonnell's liquor privatization plan got the blessing of a panel he hand-picked himself, but his proposed revenue yield continues to shrink.

A panel of the Governor's Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring voted 5-1 for a modifi...

Latest D.C. Local News

WASHINGTON (AP) D.C. Council members are urging residents to attend a weekend rally to advocate for jobs and equality. D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray says the city symbolizes the country's problems with jobs because it has an unemployment rate of about 10 percent.

WASHINGTON (AP) Heavy...

Delegate Norton Targets D.C. Vistor's Center

By Alice Ollstein

The new Capital Visitors Center in Washington doesn't have a reporting system in place for visitor injuries, and that's drawing the ire of D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. She held a hearing on Capitol Hill to address problems with health, safety and workers rights....

Deer Creating Driving Hazard For Maryland Motorists

By Sabri Ben-Achour

Deer in the region are entering their mating season, and that means danger on the roads. They sometimes run into oncoming traffic and cause an accident.

Brian Eyler is with Maryland's Department of Natural Resources and he says this time of year, October and Novemb...

Latest Maryland Regional News

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Beginning today, Maryland has a new ban on using handheld cell phones while driving, Also taking effect are new laws aimed at cracking down on sex offenders and increasing child support payments.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. (AP) Baltimore County will once again be the host of the a...

Who Controls The Torpedo Factory?

By Michael Pope

Who controls the Torpedo Factory? For most of its history, the waterfront art center has been controlled by the artists. But city officials are concerned that the operation is not making enough revenue.

That's why Councilman Paul Smedberg and other City Council members...

Confusion Between ICE and Arlington Co. Over 'Opt Out' Vote

By Jonathan Wilson

In Virginia, Arlington County board members are struggling to figure out whether their decision to opt out of a federal immigration enforcement initiative carries any real weight.

Walter Tejada is the Arlington board member who led the charge to reject the Secure Co...

Latest Virginia Regional News

STERLING, Va. (AP) Customs and Border Protection says a drug-sniffing dog found 21 pounds of marijuana hidden in packages of chocolate shipped to Washington-Dulles International Airport. The marijuana was headed to New York. It has an estimated street value of nearly $17,000.

RICHMOND, Va....

D.C. Council Tries To Localize Upcoming Rally

By David Schultz

The "One Nation Working Together" rally is focused on the issues of immigration, education, jobs and justice. At a press conference with the D.C. City Council, NAACP head Benjamin Jealous says they'll also be rallying for D.C.'s Congressional voting rights.

"When we t...

This Week in Congress - Oct. 1, 2010

By Elizabeth Wynne Johnson

I’m Elizabeth Wynne Johnson of Capitol News Connection. This Week in Congress...

...began with reverberations still of a decision in the Senate last week: to wrap up legislative business this week and adjourn without resolving a key question before the Nove...

Virginia Announces Results of First Drug Take-Day

By Jonathan Wilson

Virginia's Attorney General says more than 5,000 expired or unused prescription drugs are out of medicine cabinets across the Commonwealth-- after its first Drug Take-Back Day.

The drugs were collected at seven Virginia State Police regional headquarters.

Virg...

Regional Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign Kicks Off at Howard

By Patrick Madden

A campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence on college campuses is kicking off today at Howard University.

It's called the ‘Red Flag’ campaign – the goal is to help students recognize the warning signs of abusive relationships.

Earlier today, dozens o...

Cell Phone Ban In Md. Takes Effect Today

By Elliot Francis

Maryland’s ban on driving while using a hand held cell phone takes affect today. The state does allow the use of a hands free device. If you don’t have one and get stopped by police, make sure you have it before going to court.

Some area stores report the stock of ha...

Power Breakfast For October 1, 2010

Good morning, I'm Elizabeth Wynne Johnson; this is Power Breakfast from Capitol News Connection.

Support for Power Breakfast comes from Raytheon, committed to delivering integrated, customized, life-cycle Mission Support solutions for customers around the globe. Raytheon. Customer success i...

Distracted Driving Law In Maryland Takes Effect

By Matt Bush

In Maryland, as of today, it is illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving without a hands free device.

Many who are injured in accidents involving distracted drivers in Montgomery County end up at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda.

Dr. Bob Rothstein is the chairman...