Local News from WAMU 88.5

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

D.C. Council Signs Off On Plan To Continue City Services

A move to pay for city workers to stay on the job has been approved by the D.C. Council, after the federal government shutdown threatened to shutter D.C.'s doors.

Options Public Charter School Managers Accused Of $3M In Graft

Three managers at a charter school in the District stand accused of abusing their position to direct millions in school funds into their own pockets.

Shutdown Has Outsized Impact On D.C. Parks And Playgrounds

From the Lincoln Memorial to Lincoln Park, sites near and dear to the hearts and homes of many D.C. residents are inaccessible due to the federal government shutdown.

'It's Quite Disappointing': High Schoolers Visiting D.C. Sound Off On Shutdown

Students from across the U.S. regularly travel to Washington to learn about their country's democracy. One group, though, seems to be learning a tough lesson in how government works—and doesn't.

Park Service Starts Barricading D.C.-Area Monuments And Memorials

With the federal government shut down as of today, the National Park Service is starting to restrict public access to many of the area's most iconic monuments, memorials and trails.

From Shark Fins To Sales Taxes, New Laws Go Into Effect In Maryland And D.C.

If you live in D.C. or Maryland, there are some new laws and policies taking effect that you might want to be aware of.

Maryland Officials Express Confidence In Online Health Insurance Exchange

Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Maryland's health secretary, says the marketplace is set to open online today. Health officials also expressed confidence the state is prepared to address bumps in the road relating to any technology problems that could arise.

Schools Along Route 1 In Fairfax County Struggle To Meet State Standards

New standardized test scores show that students who live along the Route 1 corridor in Fairfax County are struggling to meet minimum standards.

After Years Of Delays, D.C. Taxicabs Now Accept Credit Cards

Don't have cash? Don't worry—today is the first day that D.C. taxicabs will have to take credit cards for payment, and the city's top taxicab regulator says that the overwhelming majority of them will.

High-Profile Legal Team Joins Suit Against Virginia Ban On Same-Sex Marriage

The two lawyers who helped bring down California's ban on same-sex marriage have joined a lawsuit seeking to do the same in Virginia.

Montgomery County Stands To Lose $500,000 Per Day During Shutdown

Some 70,000 federal government employees live in Montgomery County, and the shutdown means no paychecks for them—and no revenue for the county.

Monday, September 30, 2013

What Is Open And What Is Closed During The Government Shutdown?

The federal government is closed, but that doesn't mean that every government service you rely on will be unavailable. Here's what's open and what's closed.

Shenandoah National Park Plans Controlled Burn

Access to Big Meadows at Shenandoah National Park will be restricted while park officials conduct a controlled burn.

National Zoo's Panda Cam To Go Dark During Government Shutdown

Not only will the National Zoo be physically inaccessible during a government shutdown, but it's cutest animals will not be viewable on popular web cameras.

D.C. Sales Tax Will Go Down On Tuesday

Starting on Oct. 1, D.C.'s sales tax will drop from six to 5.75 percent, the lowest in the region.

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