Washington, DC

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Feds Had Told DC to Bench Crashed Train

(Newser) - The subway train that plowed into another stopped train yesterday, killing nine people and injuring scores of others in Washington, was part of an aging fleet that federal officials had sought to phase out because of safety concerns, an investigator said today. The Metrorail transit system kept the old trains...

System, Driver Error Suspected in DC Train Crash

(Newser) - Experts suspect yesterday’s deadly subway collision in Washington was the result of both a system failure and human error, the Washington Post reports. The city’s trains are run by onboard computers, which should, theoretically, prevent trains from colliding. The system has failed once before, in 2005, but the...

Six Dead, 70 Injured in DC Subway Crash

(Newser) - At least six are dead and 70 others injured after two subway trains collided during rush hour this evening in Washington DC, the AP reports. The incident is “developing into a mass casualty event,” a Metro spokesman told WJLA-TV. “We’re expecting a number of injuries.”...

Recession Puts Damper on July 4th Fireworks

Towns plan cheaper festivities—or none at all

(Newser) - With times tight, many US towns are toning down their Independence Day festivities, the Washington Times reports. Rather than deal with the cost of pyrotechnics, police overtime, and even liability insurance, municipalities are scaling back on the big bangs and even switching to simpler ideas such as poetry contests, dog...

Courting Obama, Pols Harbor Hoop Hopes

Elite tune up their game in hopes of playing with prez

(Newser) - In Washington, everyone wants to be on the inside. How do you know you’re in? “A pickup game with Obama,” says a former Clinton press secretary. “That's the inner, inner, inner sanctum.” So aspiring members of the inner, inner circle are hitting the court, working...

Same-Sex Marriage Wins Victory in DC

Election board rules referendum on gay marriage can't be held

(Newser) - Opponents of gay marriage in Washington DC have been handed a major setback by the District's board of elections, the Washington Post reports. The board blocked a proposal to hold a referendum on recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. The ruling means that only a court will be able...

Museum Shooter's Son Wishes Dad Were Dead

(Newser) - The son of alleged Holocaust Museum killer James von Brunn wishes his father, rather than a "brave" security guard, had died this week, the Washington Post reports. "I cannot express enough how deeply sorry I am" that museum guard Stephen Johns died "and not my...

Spending on Health Care Lobbying Up 41%

Drug, insurance companies oppose public insurance

(Newser) - As the health care debate heats up in Washington, insurance and drug companies are keeping their lobbyists busy. So far this year, those industries have increased their lobbyist spending by 41% as they fight a proposed public insurance plan, USA Today reports. That's $35 million in the first quarter for...

Holocaust Museum Shooter Is White Supremacist; Guard Killed

His rambling site has racist, anti-Semitic rants

(Newser) - White supremacist James Von Brunn is the injured suspect in today’s shooting of a National Holocaust Museum security guard, police tell the Washington Post. The guard has since died of his injuries at a local hospital, sources tell WJLA-TV. On his anti-Semitic website, von Brunn, 88, claims he served...

2 Shot at DC Holocaust Museum
 2 Shot at DC Holocaust Museum 

2 Shot at DC Holocaust Museum

Suspect also shot, taken to hospital

(Newser) - A man armed with a rifle shot a security guard today at Washington’s National Holocaust Museum, WTOP-AM reports. Police say two other guards fired back at the alleged shooter, striking him. A third person was injured by flying glass at the tourist attraction, which typically has high security. Guard...

Corruption Trial of Ex-Louisiana Rep Kicks Off

Feds say Jefferson took bribes, had $90K stashed in his freezer

(Newser) - Jury selection began today in the trial of former Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. The Democrat is charged with taking bribes and using his office to set up business deals in Africa. “It is good to have my family with me,” he said as...

Gays Rankle at Obama's Unkept Promises
 Gays Rankle at Obama's 
 Unkept Promises 
ANALYSIS

Gays Rankle at Obama's Unkept Promises

(Newser) - Gay-rights supporters in and outside of Washington are getting fed up with President Obama’s perceived inaction on their core issues, Politico reports. Obama has been unwilling to back gay marriage, and has yet to fulfill his campaign promise of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition...

Obama Makes Second Burger Outing, Spends $80

Brian Williams joins take-out trip for cheeseburger, fries

(Newser) - Yes, President Obama would like fries with that. The commander-in-chief made another cheeseburger run today, shelling out almost $80 on lunch for an entourage that included NBC’s Brian Williams, the Chicago Tribune reports. The president took aides and the Nightly News anchor, who’s trailing him for a “...

Levy Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

(Newser) - The man accused of killing federal intern Chandra Levy has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges. Twenty-seven-year-old Ingmar Guandique was arraigned today in District of Columbia Superior Court on six counts, including murder, kidnapping, and attempted sexual abuse. He pleaded not guilty to all counts. A judge...

National Zoo Panda Not Pregnant

(Newser) - Giant panda Mei Xiang, whose first cub became an international superstar, is not pregnant, National Zoo officials said today. The panda, who was artificially inseminated in January, experienced her third false pregnancy in as many years, the Washington Post reports. Four-year-old Tai Shan, Mei Xiang's only cub to survive infancy,...

White House Rips Sykes' 9/11-Limbaugh Joke

(Newser) - Press Secretary Robert Gibbs today distanced the administration from 9/11-related comments made by comedian Wanda Sykes at the White House Correspondents dinner, Politico reports. Some things “are better left for serious reflection,” Gibbs said. “There's no doubt 9/11 is part of that.” Sykes suggested that “...

DC Council Recognizes Other States' Gay Marriages

Council passes measure 12-1

(Newser) - Washington, DC’s city council voted 12-1 today to recognize gay marriages from other states, the Post reports. The vote was initially unanimous without debate, but member (and former mayor) Marion Barry asked for a re-vote, saying he hadn’t initially understood what he was voting on. Another member said...

4th Grader Grills Condi on Torture
4th Grader
Grills Condi
on Torture

4th Grader Grills Condi on Torture

We were terrified by 9/11 but did nothing illegal, Rice says

(Newser) - A fourth grader took Condoleezza Rice to task on torture yesterday, asking her about President Obama's criticism of "methods" used by the Bush administration. The question— drafted with the help of teachers—was toned down from what the student originally planned to say, the Washington Post notes. The child...

White House Staffer Caught Flu in Mexico

(Newser) - An administration staffer who worked at a dinner President Obama attended during his trip to Mexico likely contracted the H1N1 virus there, the Washington Post reports. The unnamed Energy Department security worker has since transmitted the flu to his wife, son, and nephew, though he has been cleared of the...

For Bush Veterans, DC Jobs Are Scarce

Former administration officials find bad economy, overwhelmed job market

(Newser) - Former Bush administration staffers are feeling the economic pinch as acutely as other victims of the sagging economy, Politico reports. GOP job-seekers in Washington face a triple whammy of economic chaos, minority status on Capitol Hill, and an excess of qualified Republicans. “The Washington side is a bit of...

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