News Archive - November 28, 2012

Virginia Beach Requests State Funds For NBA Bid

The Commonwealth of Virginia is being asked to commit to kicking in more than $150 million towards the relocation of an unnamed NBA franchise to Virginia Beach.

Maryland Comptroller: Online Shopping 'Unpatriotic'

Peter Franchot, Maryland state comptroller, called on state residents to support local businesses instead of giving in to the temptation of online shopping, which skirts state sales taxes.

Analysis: Bolling's Exit Sets Up 'Clash Of The Titans'

National Journal Hotline's Reid Wilson breaks down the predicted Virginia governors' race after the announcement from Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling that he will not seek the GOP nomination for the seat.

Sea Level Rising Much Faster Than U.N. Projections

A peer-reviewed study found that the sea was rising 60 percent faster than the U.N. estimated. It means that low-lying cities may need to prepare for more severe floods than had been expected.

Thieves Steal Computers From Northwest D.C. Elementary School

Police have released a video showing five individuals stealing computers from Brightwood Elementary School in the District. They're asking for help identifying the suspects.

Despite Protection Efforts, Rhino Poaching Soars

Nearly 600 rhinos have been killed this year despite extensive efforts by South Africa and other African nations to protect the animal.

In Fiscal Cliff PR War, Obama Seeks Help From A Public Already Leaning His Way

In Washington's latest game of chicken, President Obama is recruiting voters who see things his way to provide an edge in his quest to get congressional Republicans to accept tax increases on the nation's wealthiest. His newest weapon? A Twitter hashtag.

Flame Retardants From Furniture Found In Household Dust

The chemicals are meant to prevent a sofa from going up in flames, but there are concerns about health risks. With efforts to ban the chemicals moving slowly, the solution for now may be a simple vacuum cleaner.

Texas Moves To Seize Polygamous Leader Warren Jeffs' Ranch

Texas authorities claim the Eldorado, Texas ranch was bought with laundered money. A spokesman for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints said Texas is now punishing victims by seeking to claim their property.

Hispanic Caucus Rejects Republican Immigration Bills

The coalition of Hispanic lawmakers say new legislation should require illegal immigrants to register with the federal government, undergo a criminal background check, learn English and pay taxes as conditions for obtaining legal status and eventual citizenship.

Bus Driver, Attendant Fired After Leaving 4-Year-Old On Bus

Two employees have been fired after leaving a 4-year-old special-needs child from D.C. on the bus they were operating for nearly 6 hours. 

Cases Of TB, Other Rare Diseases Rise In Montgomery County

Montgomery County is seeing a disturbing rise in cases of tuberculosis, among other rare diseases, and health officials say prevention is difficult in these cases because they often originate in the county's large immigrant population. 

More Evidence Suggests Shortcomings For Whooping Cough Vaccine

There were more than 9,000 whooping cough cases in California in 2010, a 60-year high. There has been a resurgence of the disease across the country lately. Why? People going without vaccination is one factor. Another may lie in the vaccines themselves.

Africa For Norway: Viral Video Pokes Fun At Stereotypes In Aid Efforts

A group of South African students and an aid agency in Norway are using humor to demand nuance in aid campaigns.

Roughing Up Rice: GOP Senators Play The Personal And Political

History suggests that Susan Rice will be confirmed, if nominated for secretary of state. But some Republicans may be focusing on her statements about Benghazi to discredit the Obama administration. Here's a look at that possibility, and what else might be part of the Capitol Hill wrangling.

Who Is Susan Rice?

Rice is young, ambitious and accomplished, with an eye on becoming secretary of state. But she is now embroiled in a lingering controversy over what she knew and what she said in the days after September's attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. A look at Rice's career.

Economy Is Growing At A 'Measured Pace,' Federal Reserve Says

The central bank says conditions continued to improve, though not dramatically, in recent weeks. The report adds to other evidence that the economy is moving along fast enough to keep unemployment from rising, but not fast enough to bring the jobless rate down sharply.

All Over The Map: Cartography And Conflict

A newly issued Chinese passport featuring a map that lays claim to disputed territory with several neighboring countries is only the latest case of cartographic aggression. From Latin America to East Asia, maps have long played a central role in territorial tussles.

Bolling Will Not Seek GOP Bid For Virginia Governor

Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling has decided not to seek the Republican Party's nomination for governor of the state in 2013, but he left the door open to run as an independent candidate.

Mayor Restricts U-turns To Increase Bike Safety On Penn. Ave.

D.C. mayor Vincent Gray clarified the law about U-turns on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, after an outcry from cyclists citing the danger of the practice to those biking in the center median bike lanes. 

This Just In: No One Was Shot Or Stabbed Monday In New York City

Police officials can't remember the last time a whole day went by without someone being shot, stabbed or slashed by someone else. But that's just what happened as the week began. The sharp drop in violent crime from decades before continues.

Spain Will Back Palestinian U.N. Bid, Britain Wants Assurances

Britain said its decision would remain flexible up until the vote. It said it would vote in favor of the measure, if, among other things, Palestinians returned to negotiating table with Israel without any conditions.

WikiLeaks: Manning Seeks Dismissal In Pretrial Hearing

Pre-trial testimony continues today in the WikiLeaks case of Bradley Manning, the Army private charged with giving classified information to the website. Manning is seeking dismissal of all charges on the grounds that he was mistreated in military prison before his trial.

AIDS Activists Stage Naked Demonstration In Boehner's Office

Several naked protesters staged a demonstration in House Speaker John Boehner's personal office yesterday, urging the lawmaker to work to avoid potential budget cuts to support programs for those with HIV and AIDS.

EPA Temporarily Halts New Federal Contracts For BP

The federal agency cited BP's "lack of business integrity" in dealing with the 2010 Gulf oil spill. The London-based oil giant agreed to plead guilty to criminal misconduct in the case and also agreed to pay a record $4 billion in penalties.

SARS-Like Virus Resurfaces And Infects A Family In Saudi Arabia

A few months ago health workers discovered a new variety of coronavirus that killed one man and hospitalized another. Now the virus has infected four more people in the Middle East. How they got sick is a question scientists would like to answer.

Ward 8 Raises Questions On DCPS Closures

Residents in Ward 8 were the first to officially voice their concerns about a plan to close 20 DCPS schools next year during a public meeting last night. 

Milk: Symbol Of Purity, Symbol Of Conflict

Our complicated relationship with milk may make images of this week's EU dairy farmers' protest more powerful than, say, if they sprayed police with water. For much of human history, says historian Deborah Valenze, we've wavered between reverence and revulsion for the stuff.

Romney To Have Lunch With Obama At The White House Thursday

It will be the 2012 contenders' first meeting since the presidential election. President Obama had previously said he hoped to work with his Republican challenger on some issues.

More Women Choose Double Mastectomy, But Study Says Many Don't Need It

More than three-quarters of women who opt for double mastectomies are not getting any benefit because their risk of cancer developing in the healthy breast is no greater than in women without cancer.

New Home Sales Dipped A Bit In October, But Were Well Above Year Before

Though the pace dipped 0.3 percent from September to October, it was up 17.2 percent from September 2011. It's another sign that the housing sector is on the mend, though growth has been somewhat uneven.

Mine Disaster Probe Leads To Conspiracy Charges Against Former Executive

David C. Hughart, former president of a Massey Energy subsidiary, is pleading guilty. The charges relate to a corporate culture that investigators say contributed to the nation's worst mine disaster in 40 years. Twenty nine miners died at one of Massey's West Virginia mines in a 2010 explosion.

Winning Powerball? It's More Likely A Vending Machine Will Kill You

Yes, the odds that you'll have the winning number are incredibly long — 175 million to one. Of course, if you don't buy a ticket the odds of winning disappear.

Guerrilla Cartographers Put Global Food Stats On The Map

The mapmakers have amassed some 80 maps for Food: An Atlas, ranging from surplus in Northeast Italy to meat production in Maryland. The goal is to spread information about various food systems so they can be adapted locally.

OK, North Korea's Leader Isn't 'Sexiest Man Alive,' Chinese Media Concede

China's Web surfers have had much fun at the expense of People's Daily Online after it accepted as fact that The Onion thinks Kim Jong Un is 2012's biggest hunk. Editors at the Communist Party's mouthpiece now realize they were punk'd.

In Cairo, Tensions Still High As 'Die-Hards' Continue To Protest

The crowd in Tahrir Square is much smaller today. Police have fired tear gas again in an effort to disperse those who are angry about President Mohammed Morsi's decrees giving him more power. Much larger protests may resume, though, on Friday.