POLITICS
Planned Parenthood Exonerated; Members of Anti-Abortion Group Indicted
In Harris County, Texas a grand jury investigating accusations of Planned Parenthood officials illegally profiting from fetal tissue has instead indicted two members of a prominent anti-abortion group, the Center for Medical Progress. David R. Daleidan, the leader of the group, and Sandra S. Merritt, another employee at the center, were both indicted on the felony charge of tampering with government records, and on a misdemeanor charge related to the purchase of human organs. The two had presented a fake drivers license and posed as biotechnology representatives to infiltrate Planned Parenthood while filming officials supposedly discussing the sale of fetal tissue, which is banned by law. Their video was released this past July and has created much controversy; however, Planned Parenthood claims selective editing of the video had created a misperception. Vice President of Communications at Planned Parenthood Eric Ferrero stated, “As the dust settles and the truth comes out, its become totally clear that the only people who engaged in wrongdoing are the criminals behind this fraud, and we’re glad they’re being held accountable.”
WASHINGTON, DC
Winter Storm Jonas Snow Totals: What are They?
It is no doubt that this past weekend the metro area experienced a massive amount of snow accumulation; however, reports of the actual totals are varied. Official snow totals are maintained by the National Weather Service (NWS), and the NWS reported only 17.8 inches, while Dulles International and Baltimore Washington International reported more than 29 inches. How is it that the NWS’ snow total is half that of what was reported elsewhere? Officials say the NWS’ measuring tool was actually buried in the massive snowfall, causing the discrepancy.
WORLD
Syria Peace Talks to Begin Friday
The United Nations has announced it’s aim to begin Syrian peace talks this Friday. Syrian military forces have recently made significant gains on the battlefield with the aid of Russian air strikes which suggests that fighting may long on regardless of any international attempt at diplomacy. Secretary of State John Kerry has urged the belligerents to attend the peace talks in Geneva. However, Kerry has also stated, “you can lead a horse to water, you cant make it drink”.
NATIONAL
North Carolina’s Voting Laws to be Disputed in Federal Court
Lawyers and advocates against North Carolina’s strict election statute have once again returned to the courtroom. In 2013, after the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder, a law requiring voters in North Carolina to present 1-of-6 forms of valid identification before polling was passed by the state’s largely Republican government. Opponents of the law have claimed it suppresses the minority vote and represents the return of Jim Crow to the south. The NAACP and Department of Justice are currently leading efforts against North Carolina’s legislation.
MARYLAND
Warmer Temperatures to Clear the Streets
While many roads are still requiring more, or at least better clearing after Winter Storm Jonas, warmer temperatures today should speed up the process. Massive snowbanks have been created on the sides of many major roads, and clearing these requires heavy equipment, time and even road closings. However, as it reaches the upper 30s and lower 40s today, some of this snow will inevitably melt repairing your daily commute.
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION:
Clinton: 52%
Sanders: 38%
O’Malley: 1.8%
REPUBLICAN NOMINATION:
Trump: 41%
Cruz: 19%
Rubio: 11%
Carson: 7%
Bush: 5%
Christie: 4%
Washington Wizards: 1/25/16 Washington Wizards 91 v. Boston Celtics 116
Washington Capitals: 1/24/16 Washington Wizards v. Pittsburgh Penguins: GAME POSTPONED
Washington Nationals: End of Season
Washington Mystics: End of Season
Washington Redskins: End of Season
January 26 at 7:00 PM – An Evening with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St NW, Washington, DC 20006 http://www.ticketmaster.com/an-evening-with-macklemore-ryan-washington-district-of-columbia-01-26-2016/event/15004F49E92554B5?artistid=1540042&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=3
January 26 at 7:00 PM – Ani DiFranco, 9:30 Club, 815 V St, Washington, DC 20001 http://www.ticketsnow.com/InventoryBrowse/Ani-DiFranco-Tickets-at-9-30-Club-in-Washington-1-26-2016?PID=1812700&intcmp=TM934&intoff=false
January 27 at 7:30 PM – Raul Malo, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305 http://www.ticketmaster.com/raul-malo-alexandria-virginia-01-27-2016/event/15004F62E89E5B4A?artistid=856329&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1
January 28 at 7:00 PM – Josh Abbott Band, 9:30 Club, 815 V St, Washington, DC 20001 http://www.ticketsnow.com/InventoryBrowse/Josh-Abbott-Band-Tickets-at-9-30-Club-in-Washington-1-28-2016?PID=1816924&intcmp=TM921298&intoff=false
January 29 at 7:00 PM – RFD-TV Presents Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy, DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St NW, Washington, DC 20006http://www.ticketmaster.com/rfdtv-presents-jeff-foxworthy-larry-washington-district-of-columbia-01-29-2016/event/15004F5DBC1650F4?artistid=757399&majorcatid=10002&minorcatid=51
January 29 at 7:30 PM – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: The River Tour, Verizon Center, 601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004 http://www.ticketmaster.com/bruce-springsteen-and-the-e-street-washington-district-of-columbia-01-29-2016/event/15004F73B6222D31?artistid=860453&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1
January 29 at 7:30 PM – Will Downing, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305http://www.ticketmaster.com/will-downing-alexandria-virginia-01-29-2016/event/15004F0AC0C529F2?artistid=734951&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=202
January 29 at 9:00 PM – Yellow Claw, Echostage, 2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018http://www1.ticketmaster.com/yellow-claw-washington-district-of-columbia-01-29-2016/event/15004F6BAD152B8D?artistid=1709415&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=52
January 30 at 7:30 PM – Elle Varner, Howard Theatre, Howard Theatre, 620 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001 http://www.ticketmaster.com/elle-varner-washington-district-of-columbia-01-30-2016/event/15004F758FFE1C40?artistid=1659299&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60
January 30 at 9:00 PM – Ebi: Jane Javani World Tour, Warner Theatre, 13 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20004http://concerts.livenation.com/event/15004F78972419B3?crosssite=TM_US:791458:172129?crosssite=TM_US:791458:172129
January 31 at 7:30 PM – David Cassidy, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305 http://www.ticketmaster.com/david-cassidy-alexandria-virginia-01-31-2016/event/15004F280DE94EAA?artistid=736525&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1
January 31 at 8:00 PM – Reel Big Fish, The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD http://concerts.livenation.com/event/15004F8402466CB7?crosssite=TM_US:779739:172548?crosssite=TM_US:779739:172548
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones”
-Confucius
