WAMU 88.5
: News
An investigation has found the D.C. government is allowing private investors to pursue foreclosures on hundreds of homes over unpaid tax bills, but many debts are less than $500.
The Washington Post reports the District government has placed liens on properties when homeowners did not pay their tax bills for decades. Liens are sold at auction for investors to collect the debts.
But the program, according to the Post investigation, has grown into system where $500 tax bills morph into $5,000 debts. Investors charge homeowners thousands in legal fees.
Retired Marine Sgt. Bennie Coleman lost his home two years ago over a $134 property tax bill. Another woman lost her home to a Maryland investor over a tax debt of $45 while she was struggling with Alzheimer's.
Many of the foreclosures target poor neighborhoods in District.
NPR
George R.R. Martin, Author And ... Movie-Theater Guy?
The author of the wildly successful Game of Thrones books has been spending his days working on reopening an old movie theater in Santa Fe — much to the displeasure of fans who think he should be writing the next book.NPR
Sandwich Monday: The Limited Edition Candy Corn Oreo
For this week's Sandwich Monday, we try a new take on the classic sandwich cookie: the Limited Edition Candy Corn Oreo.NPR
Shutdown Diary, Day 7: The Blame Game
New polling shows that both parties are taking a hit over the shutdown, but Republicans are bearing the brunt of the blame from the American public.NPR
Funding For Software To Cloak Web Activity Provokes Concern
A service called Tor makes it possible to communicate and surf the web anonymously. It sounds like a plot by privacy-minded rebels, but in fact the service receives most of its funding from the government and was started by the Pentagon. Despite recent revelations of government email snooping, the U.S. government supports anonymous communication so foreign dissidents can work undetected, and so government agents can pursue bad guys without giving away their identities. But now the service faces new accusations that it might be serving NSA surveillance efforts.Leave a Comment
Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.
-
Morale During Shutdown
We're looking to gauge the morale of federal workers during the shutdown. If you are a furloughed federal... more >> -
WAMU 88.5 Signal
We apologize for interruptions in WAMU 88.5's broadcasts. more >> -
Jewish Literary Festival
The Jewish Literary Festival features talks, a dramatic program, and more. more >> -
The Kojo Shindig
We're celebrating 15 years of The Kojo Nnamdi show with a special shindig on Nov. 1. more >> -
Membership Campaign
Your support makes it all possible. more >> -
How are you spending your furlough...
If you are being furloughed because of the shutdown, please fill out this brief form to tell us what you're... more >> -
Government Shutdown
Help inform WAMU's coverage by telling us how the Oct. 1 federal government shutdown is affecting you. more >> -
Yesterday's Dropouts
We explore the struggles adults face after they leave school without a diploma in the debut series of WAMU's... more >> -
Navy Yard Shootings
On Monday, September 16, a gunman walked into the Washington Navy Yard and killed 12 people, before being... more >> -
Your Thoughts On Syria
WAMU would like to hear perspectives on Syria from people who have personal or professional ties to the... more >> -
Campaign Volunteer Program
Our fall membership campaign will take place from Oct. 12-Oct. 19, 2013. Find out how to volunteer. more >> -
Coming Of Age?
Metro Connection is working on a show with the theme of "coming of age." Tell us what "coming of age" means... more >> -
Cornstock Acoustic Music Fest
Nestled at the gateway of the Endless Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania, Lazy Brook Park's beautiful,... more >> -
Virginia Governor's Race
WAMU 88.5 FM is covering the Virginia governor's race, and we're trying to identify the issues that are most... more >> -
Affected By Sequestration?
WAMU 88.5 is continuing to cover implementation of federal budget cuts, and we're wondering what... more >> -
Deals For Developers
WAMU investigates city subsidies to developers and campaign contributions from the companies. more >> -
Inspiration For Change
Metro Connection is looking for personal accounts of how inspiration happens. Tell us your story. more >> -
Memories Of 1963 DC March
WAMU 88.5 is looking for people who were living in or visiting the D.C. area during the 1963 March on... more >> -
Beating The Odds
Beating the Odds is an annual series that features remarkable students seem destined to succeed despite... more >> -
Aging and Abuse
With an aging population, elder abuse is expected to increase. We look at the complexities of elder abuse in... more >> -
Volunteer Recognition
The volunteer of the year award and special projects award are given to a WAMU 88.5 volunteer each year for... more >> -
Public Insight
Share your knowledge and insights about timely issues with journalists from WAMU 88.5 more >> -
In-Kind Donation Program
By providing an in-kind donation, you may be eligible for a tax deduction, without a cash commitment, and... more >> -
Follow Us On Twitter
To get the latest local stories from WAMU 88.5 News, follow us on Twitter. more >>
