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POLITICS

Sanders comments on trip to the White House

On Wednesday, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was invited to a rare oval office meeting with President Barrack Obama. The meeting was particularly unexpected, for just days before Obama had praised Democratic front-runner, Hillary Clinton. Sanders has called the meeting “constructive”, and claims the president will be as “even-handed” as possible during the race. When asked if Obama, who won the democratic nomination over Clinton in 2008, provided him with advice as to how to beat Clinton, Sanders laughed and said “no, no.”

NATIONAL

Family of slain Oregon militia member challenge FBI account of death

Relatives of Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, the Oregon militia member who was killed at a traffic stop, are claiming that Finicum appears to have been shot in the back by authorities while his hands were up. The FBI released a video on Thursday of Finicum being shot by state police and have asserted the video shows him reaching for a gun in his coat pocket. A spokesperson for the Finicum family has stated, “at this point, we will await the outcome of any investigation, but based on the information currently available to us, we do not believe LaVoy’s shooting death was justified.” Four members of the Oregon militia still remain at the Malheur Wildlife Refugee.

WASHINGTON D.C.

D.C. Fire lieutenant involved in boy’s choking death to appear before a review panel

Last March, a fire lieutenant at the Wisconsin Avenue station was charged with neglect when a 1-year old boy choked on a grape on Warren Street. A far away ambulance was sent to aid the boy, instead of the lieutenant’s paramedics, because he had not informed dispatch that the Wisconsin Avenue station had been disconnected from the network. As a result, the boy was brought to the hospital after awaiting the arrival of the far away ambulance, and he subsequently died. The fire lieutenant announced his retirement early last month, and it was announced that despite his criminal charge, he would receive full benefits. However, the lieutenant is now being required to appear before a review panel before he can retire with benefits.

VIRGINIA

Man in connection with Virginia killing dies

Dana William, 43, was brought to the hospital in critical condition on Wednesday after shooting himself as police entered his apartment in Fitchburg. William was wanted in connection to strangulation of Woodell Brooks and the disappearance of his wife, Olene Brooks. Authorities have stated that William is the Brooks’ former son-in-law and was recently released from prison. William subsequently died in the hospital from his self-inflicted wound.

MARYLAND

Parents filing suit against Charles County school district

A lawsuit was filed last week on behalf of John and Melissa Wood, and it named the Charles County School District, its board and the principal and vice principal of La Plata High School as defendants. The Woods allege their daughter was forced to profess and write out the Islamic Creed in a world history class at La Plata High School as part of an assignment. According to the suit, the Woods’ daughter was not allowed to opt out of the assignment for an alternative project on the basis of religious beliefs. Charles County School District has released a clarification of its world history curriculum, but has yet to release a statement in regards to the lawsuit.

WASHINGTON D.C

Restaurant week in D.C has been extended due to snow

Winter restaurant week began on Monday, January 25th and has been extended until Wednesday, February 3rd. It was originally scheduled to end on Sunday, January 31st, but the extension was due to the snow storm. The week got off to a slow start for many restaurants, due to delayed deliveries and canceled reservations. Restaurant week offers $22 lunches and $35 dinners at more than 250 area restaurants.

MARYLAND

Water main breaks in Bowie

Early Friday morning, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commissions crews repaired a 24-inch water main that flooded Mitchellville Road in Bowie, MD. The snow on the ground made it more difficult for the crews to repair the 19-year old pipe. WSSC spokeswoman Lynn Riggins said about 50 customers, including some townhouses on Everglade Lane, were without water.

VIRGINIA

Parental kidnapper arrested in South Dakota

Jason Mardis, age 33 was arrested without incident on Thursday at a campground in Rapid city, South Dakota. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office says Mardis was boarding in a camper with a child. The Virginia man is being held without bond at the Pennington County Jail. The child that was kidnapped is legally under custody of the South Dakota department of Social Services while arraignments are made with the custodial parent.

WORLD

2.9 billion trips expected by Chinese travelers

During January 21^st-March 3^rd, Chinese travelers are expected to make 2.9 billion trips, according to the Ministry of Transport. The majority of the trips will take place during Feb. 8^th Lunar New Year. That time of the year is considered the largest annual human migration, but could struggle a bit due to a lackluster economy.

ENTERTAINMENT

David Bowie wants his ashes scattered in Bali

The 69-year old rock star David Bowie, who passed away on January 10, 2016, wants his ashes scattered in Bali, according to his will. The document was prepared in 2004, and was filed on Friday in Manhattan. Bowie left his SoHo home and half of the rest of his worth to his widow Iman. His two children Duncan and Alexandra will each receive 25 percent as well.

POLITICS

Rubio tells voters that he’ll never embarrass them

Florida Senator Marco Rubio says he will never embarrass Americans and added, “I will never do anything that makes you cringe and say … ‘I can’t believe that’s who we picked.'” This new campaign promise took place in Iowa on Friday. Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Rubio are the three front-running Republicans leading up to the Iowa caucus, according poll numbers.

CNN Polls: Courtesy of Realclearpolitics.com