News Archive - December 24, 2010

Latest Virginia News

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) A state audit is blaming poor management oversight for the disappearance of $189,000 in Hampton Roads Transit funds over two years. The missing money led to a management change at HRT and the indictment of two former employees on embezzlement and other charges.

HAMPTON,...

'Art Beat' With Sean Rameswaram

(Dec. 24) CHRISTMAS AND THE RELUCTANT DRAGON Nothing says Christmas like The Reluctant Dragon at The Kennedy Center's Concert Hall Friday afternoon. The Choral Arts Society of Washington rings in the holiday with a full orchestra and a mystical tale about a boy with a seasonally apt undertaking:...

How Christmas Trees Weather A Recession

Old City Green is a garden center right near D.C.'s Convention Center. The Christmas trees and steaming cider give a sense of serenity, but business is booming.

Frank Asher cuts the stump off one of the few Christmas trees left on his lot.

"I sold most of my trees the first weekend of...

Activists Ready To Fight For Norton's Vote

By Jessica Gould

For years, D.C. voting rights activists have worked to increase the District's representation in Congress. Now they're worried that new rules proposed for the House of Representatives will be a setback.

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton has never had full voting rights....

Latest Maryland News

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) The Maryland Department of Human Resources is seeking to dismiss a court order requiring the agency to speed up its processing of applications for food stamps and medical benefits. The department says that in November, it processed more than 97 percent of welfare claims with...

Weekend Storm Track Unclear, But Snow Crews On Alert

Forecasts for the weekend are still up in the air, but there's a chance a snowstorm will hit the area Sunday. Local road clearing crews are on alert.

D.C.'s Department of Public Works has a plan in place to deploy 25 salting trucks Saturday night, and 160 snow clearing trucks by 10 a.m. Sun...

Ballot Measure Signature-Gatherers In Arlington Indicted

This summer, a group in Arlington tried to get a measure on the ballot that would've changed the county's form of government. They failed, but the fallout from that effort continues.

Prosecutors in Arlington indicted two signature gatherers this week, Cheryl Simmons and William Cockerham, b...

Forests Give Holiday Gifts

This time of year often means Christmas trees and wrapping paper, but it may be worth giving a thought to where all those holiday trimmings come from.

At many homes right now, there's a Christmas tree and wrapping paper and a fire's going. All of those things have something in common, says...

D.C. Police Reinstate Assistant Chief Placed On Leave

D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department says an assistant chief placed on administrative leave amid allegations she was involved in a test cheating scandal has been reinstated.

Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes was put on leave last month. She oversees patrol services and school security,...

Changes For Commuters Over The Holiday Weekend

Metro is altering its schedule for the Christmas holiday.

Metrorail hours began at 7 a.m. Friday and will extend to 3 a.m. Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day.

Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule beginning Friday and ending Sunday.

Meanwhile, D.C.'s Department of Public Works...

Police Urge Vigilance During Holidays

By Jessica Gould

During the holidays, D.C.'s Police Department is stepping up efforts to beat back burglaries.

Assistant Police Chief Alfred Durham says it's the most vulnerable time of the year.

"In the holiday season, you're always going to have criminals who take advantage of...

Fire And Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's office has some suggestions to help keep your home safe when it comes to fire and carbon monoxide.

Here are some of the suggestions:

Heating Safety

·Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating equipment.

·Never use your...

Power Breakfast: Not 'Your Ordinary Lame Duck Session'

From Capitol News Connection:

As Congress sped to the finish of a few highly productive final weeks, Ohio Democrat Dennis Kucinich echoed what many lawmakers and commentators were saying: "Your lame duck session wasn't your ordinary lame duck session. It was a time of a lot of work, a lot o...