Local News from WAMU 88.5

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Public Schools Get More Funds; DCPS Still Looks At Shortfall

D.C. Public Schools, including traditional and charter schools, will receive $76 million more than expected; the bulk of the surplus money from an increase in District revenue. And while this will help stave off some cuts, school officials say there will still be some hard choices to make.

'Art Beat' With Sean Rameswaram

Broadway, Boom Town on a very Fat Tuesday.

D.C. Police Arrested In Sting Operation

In the District, three metropolitan police department officers are under arrest after a sting operation.

Latest D.C. News

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier says three officers have been arrested and a federal judge rejects the Libertarian Party's appeal to change the way D.C. tallies and reports write-in votes.

Students Rally To Support 'Maryland DREAM Act'

The Maryland Senate is scheduled to take up a bill this week that would allow the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges. A group of students who support the legislation have been rallying in Annapolis.

Ocean City Council Votes For All-Wood Boardwalk

In Maryland, the Ocean City Council voted to keep the board in its famous boardwalk. The vote will ensure that visitors will be strolling on an all-wooden surface when the city rebuilds the boardwalk this fall.

Another Report Rips Pepco

An independent study done for the Maryland Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities in the state, says Pepco's five-year plan to increase its service reliability was "cobbled together" in haste following a rash of lengthy power outages last year.

Latest Maryland News

Maryland bans reading texts while driving, a Baltimore county congressman wants to prevent protests at military funerals and a fire cause $50,000 worth of damage in Sykesville.

Latest Virginia News

A crane accident led to legal action in Portsmouth, a brief filed in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals defends the federal health care law and VDOT is on a pothole-patching blitz.

Same-Sex Marriage Bill On Hold In Annapolis

Debate in the full House over Maryland's same-sex marriage bill is on hold until Wednesday.

The District Falls Short In HIV/AIDS Education

A new report says the District isn't doing enough to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The nonprofit group D.C. Appleseed, says Mayor Vincent Gray should expand programs that offer free, clean needles to addicts and push HIV/AIDS education in public schools.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Gray Calls For Investigation Into Sulaimon Brown Allegations

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray is calling on the city's attorney general to investigate the allegations made by former mayoral candidate Sulaimon Brown.

MoCo Considers Imitating D.C.'s Bag Tax

Officials in Montgomery County, Md., are looking to follow the District's lead and tax plastic bags at 5 cents each.

Changing Sea Level Spotlights Virginia Coast

The Chesapeake Bay Region is experiencing sea-level rise more quickly than anywhere else on the Eastern Sea Board.

Fewer Drivers On First Day Of ICC Tolls

Ridership on Maryland's Intercounty Connector took a big dip Monday, the first day that drivers had to pay for riding the new roadway.

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