Local News from WAMU 88.5

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Takoma Park, Md. Lowers Voting Age To 16

With the move, Takoma Park becomes the first U.S. city to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local contests.

Virginia Mennonite Farmers Work To Protect Chesapeake Bay

Mennonite farmers in Virginia have stopped using chicken waste on their fields, a process that leads to phosphorous-rich runoff that ends up in the Chesapeake Bay—where it can kill fish.

Alexandria Opposes Expansion Of Hazardous Materials Facility

Alexandria officials want to stop the expansion of a facility used by Norfolk Southern to transfer liquid ethanol from railcars to tanker trucks.

Virginia Congressman Asks McDonnell To Slow Down 'Outer Beltway'

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) wants Gov. Bob McDonnell to put the brakes on a proposed north-south roadway between I-95 and Route 7 referred to as the 'outer beltway.'

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Silver Spring Metro Station Evacuated After Fire On Empty Train

Red Line service will likely be disrupted this evening after reports of smoke and fire department activity on an empty Metro car at the Silver Spring Metro.

Virginia Tech President Charles Steger Retiring

The embattled president of Virginia Tech has announced Tuesday that he is retiring.

October Trial Date Set For Virginia Executive Chef Case

The embezzlement case againt a former Virginia Executive Mansion chef now has an October trial date.

AP Phone Record Seizure Could Chill Area Journalism

The Associated Press has found its phone records were collected as part of a sweeping Justice Department investigation into leaks, which could prove a problem for local journalists.

Ambulance Fees Get Go-Ahead In Montgomery County

After years of controversy and several compromises, a provision enforcing fees for ambulance rides in Montgomery County is set to go into effect.

Drivers Urged To Put Down Phones During Construction On I-95 Express Lane

More than half of drivers on I-95 admit to using their phones behind the wheel — a potentially dangerous combination with thousands of construction workers on the roads this summer.

Transit-Less Terps: Metro Closes College Park Station On Graduation Weekend

It's commencement weekend at the University of Maryland, but graduates-to-be and their families won't be getting there via Metro.

Maryland Delegate Gets 30 Days For Drunken Boating

After pleading guilty to operating a boat drunk during a collision last year that injured five people, Maryland Del. Don Dwyer has been sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Funeral Home Director Speaks Out On Boston Bomber Burial Controversy

The director of the Massachusetts funeral home where Boston bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev's  body was held, is speaking out against controversy surrounding Tsarnev's Virginia burial location.

D.C. Could Expand No-Smoking Areas To Parks, Playgrounds And Bus Stops

One D.C. legislator says that she's looking to introduce a bill that would increase the number of places where smoking would be prohibited.

Virginia Pushes For 'Outer Beltway' That Critics Say Isn't Needed

While Virginia officials say that a new north-south highway connecting I-95 to Route 7 would help ease traffic congestion, critics contend that the commonwealth's own numbers show that no significant congestion is expected without it.

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