WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

Rain in the Rivers

Guest host: Stephanie Kaye

The rainstorms that battered the Washington area this week didn't just cause evacuations, dam leaks, and traffic snarls...they also hurt the environment. When storm water rushes toward rivers, it picks up garbage, grime, and contaminants. This toxic-laced stream empties out into Rock Creek, and the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. WAMU reporter Sarah Hughes asked Hameed Karimi, an environmental manager for the DC government, to explain what happens when this dirty rush of water hits our rivers.

The Anacostia Waterfront's "Master Plan"

We stay along the banks of the Anacostia, which is often thought of as the "lesser-known sibling" of the Potomac River. Just under seven of its 36 miles lie within the DC boundaries. Six years ago, Mayor Anthony Williams started the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative, to bring both federal and local government departments that own property on its banks under the same authority, and manage development. But the question remains whether they will be able to help the river lose its modern-day reputation for blight and pollution. I spoke with the CEO of the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation, Adrian Washington, about the "master plan" the corporation has for the river.

DC's Not-So-Green Stadium

When District officials unveiled the design of the new baseball stadium in DC, they said it would be the first stadium in the country certified as "green," enviro-speak for construction that's made to be environmentally friendly. Environmentalists say that's important because the stadium will go up along the Anacostia River, which is already polluted. But construction has begun and architects admit no money has been set aside for the green initiative. WAMU's Lisa Nurnberger reports.

Commentary by Fred Fiske - For the Love of Opera

Senior Commentator Fred Fiske recently braved the rushing storm water coursing through the streets of Alexandria, all for a little opera...

Legislating the Commonwealth

It's the last day of Virginia's fiscal year, and 'lo and behold, it looks like the Commonwealth will not be turning into a pumpkin when the clock strikes twelve. After three months of wrangling, Virginia HAS a budget. But the wrestling match isn't over yet. Dr. Robert Holsworth, who directs the Center for Public Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University, joined WAMU's Sidsel Overgaard from the studios of VCU to reflect on what went wrong, and what lies in store when talks start again in a few months. She asked him to start with a 30 second primer, for anyone who may have missed out on the fun.

WAMU's Youth Voices - "Mia"

Time for the latest installment of WAMU's "Youth Voices," where we hand the microphone over to Washington teens and play back the results...

Even though the legal drinking age in the United States is twenty-one, more than a quarter of all alcohol purchased is drunk by people under the age of twenty - that's according to experts at Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. Seventeen-year-old "Youth Voices" reporter Mia knows all too well the potential consequences.

For more information on our youngest reporters and to hear their stories, go to our website, WAMU.org and click on Youth Voices. Our stories were produced by Michael Spikes.

Mondo DC - The Summer House

In the mid-1870s, visitors to the Capitol building complained of arriving thirsty, sweaty and out-of-breath. So, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead was hired to build an elaborate drinking fountain on the front lawn. David Furst spoke with Jeff Bagato, man-around the ODDEST places in town, and author of "Mondo DC: An Insider's Guide to Washington, DC's Most Unusual Tourist Attractions."

Commentary by Lester Reingold - West Wing Withdrawal

Finally today...for seven years, there were two White Houses - 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and the one depicted in the TV series, "The West Wing." And while the show has an after-life through syndication and DVDs, there aren't any new episodes in the works. When the last one aired this past spring, the show's departure left commentator Lester Reingold thinking about the power of imagination...

Lester Reingold is coping with his withdrawal...he's the author of a coffee-table book of aviation photos from Ohio.