WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

Apartment Buying in DC

When an apartment building is put up for sale in the District, city law allows tenants to match the top offer. Those tenants may be congressional aides, lobbyists or young lawyers looking to put down roots in the city, but sometimes they are people living in poor sections of town. Residents who have long family roots in DC but don't have the income to buy a house. The tenants of one low-income housing development in southeast DC recently learned that their building is for sale...and they've decided to try and buy it rather than look for a new place in a shrinking affordable housing market. WAMU's Lisa Nurnberger reports.

Terror on DC Streets

This week the elevation of the terror alert for DC triggered several new security measures. In some areas trucks and cars are being searched and more roads are being closed. When the Capitol Police closed First Street, Northeast, near the Senate office buildings, city leaders raised strong objections. They say security plans are being implemented without regard for city residents. We take a look at what DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton had to say earlier this week and talk about the latest terror warning with Mike O' Hanlon. He's a senior scholar at the Brookings Institution who and specializes in homeland security. O'Hanlon says there is no simple formula for deterring an attack but adds that most options are almost certain to conflict with the goals of local leaders.

Aggressive Driving

Any of us who spend time on area roadways have pretty much gotten used to reckless, aggressive and obnoxious drivers. Speeding, tailgating swerving in and out of traffic - it seems like a contest of sorts for some motorists and it's not hard to find the accidents they cause. Police officials say aggressive driving is a serious problem in Washington and this summer they're cracking down. WAMU's Vince Pearson reports.

Day in the Life of a Metro Officer

There is one simple way to avoid aggressive drivers - just ride Metro. But the commute by rail isn't without its own kind of stress. Every day an average of 670,000 passengers course through the system. Riders now regularly see extra security and sometimes bomb-sniffing dogs. And the job of metro police officer carries more serious responsibilities than ever. Still, the regular chore for the force remains making the system run smoothly.

After more than two years on the job Officer Sherry Willis has become an expert at moving people along. WAMU reporter Sarah Hughes tagged along with Willis during some of her busier shifts and has this story.

Commentary by Fred Fiske

Fred defends his liberal definitions.

Eastern Market Renovations

Capitol Hill's Eastern Market is undergoing a long-awaited renovation: a new metal roof being built outside has knocked some vendors out of their regular spots, creating the kind of grumbling long-time merchants say has been a constant feature of the place. The market has seen substantial growth in recent years but vendors say a fractured management structure continues to create problems for vendors. The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee, or EMCAC, is working on ways to unify management of the market and raise money to keep improvement efforts on track.

WAMU's Stephanie Kaye caught up with EMCAC chair Ellen Opper-Weiner under the partially constructed metal roof to talk about the past, present and future of the Market.

"Camping" with Mark Jenkins

Washington and its music scene have been enlivened by immigrants from Jamaica, El Salvador, Ethiopia and many other countries. Several localelectronic music combos have imported a wealth ofexotic sounds from around the globe. Still, Metro Connection music reviewer Mark Jenkins saysthe trio that calls itself "Camping" has an unexpected accent.

Mark Jenkins also reviews music for the city paper and the Washington Post.