Politics
Intel chief Clapper worried about instability in the U.S.
The nation’s intelligence chief said he is concerned about stability in the U.S. and the fragility of American institutions. “I do worry,” Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the Aspen Security Forum. Clapper said the intelligence community has metrics that determine whether a nation is considered stable. About two-thirds of countries exhibit some aspects of instability. “I guess if you apply that same measure against us, well, we are starting to exhibit some of them, too,” he assessed. “We pride ourselves on the institutions that have evolved over hundreds of years and I do worry about the, you know, fragility of those institutions.” Clapper was also asked how international countries were responding to presidential candidate Donald Trump. Clapper said, “such rhetoric is very bothersome to our foreign interlocutors, our foreign partners.” He continued, “It is a worry to them, it really is, so I’ll just let it go at that rather than rendering any personal opinion. But I can, I think it is legitimate for me to report what I hear from many foreign partners and interlocutors.”
Entertainment
‘Sesame Street’ fires long-time cast members Bob, Luis and Gordon
Bob McGrath, who has played Bob on the popular children’s show “Sesame Street” since 1969, told a Florida Supercon audience that he “has been graciously let go” from the show. “I have completed my 45th season this year,” McGrath said. “And the show has gone under a major turn around, now going from an hour to a half-hour.” Roscoe Orman, who played Gordon, and Emilio Delgado, who played Luis were also let go. “HBO has gotten involved also,” McGrath said. “And so they let all of the original cast members go, with the exception of Alan Muraoka [who plays Alan, the owner of Hooper’s store], who is still on the show and who is probably 20 years younger than the rest of us, and Chris Knowings [who plays Chris], who is also young and they are terrific, wonderful people.” “Sesame Street” tweeted a statement on Thursday, saying, “Since the show began, we are constantly evolving our content and curriculum, and hence, our characters, to meet the educational needs of children.”
Washington, DC
Metro hires investigators to look into why drivers keep running red lights, other incidents
Metro has seen drivers running red lights and crossing the tracks even while a train is approaching, resulting in numerous red signal violations this month. But even after years of trying to solve the problem, Metro leaders haven’t found any solutions. “Any red light signal overrun is of serious concern, so I’m concerned about these events,” Chief Safety Officer Patrick Lavin said. “These are one of my highest priorities to address.” Metro has now had ten red signal violations this year, and the Federal Transit Administration is investigating the issue. Lavin said, for now, Metro is training operators to familiarize them with where signals are along their route and to improve communications systems. “I want the riding public to know that WMATA treats these events extremely seriously,” Lavin said. He said Metro has put six employees in charge of investigating the incidents.
Virginia
Restaurant fires employees who refused to serve officer
Two employees were fired from a Noodles & Company restaurant after refusing to serve a uniformed D.C.-area police officer. The restaurant released a statement Thursday confirming that two of its employees at the Alexandria, Virginia, restaurant were fired. The statement extended an apology to the Alexandria Police Department and says, “discrimination of any kind is never tolerated at Noodles & Company.” Alexandria police spokeswoman Crystal Nosal said a female officer was standing in line at the restaurant Monday evening when a female cook came out from the back and told the cashier, “You better pull me off the line, because I’m not cooking for,” then gestured at the officer. The cashier laughed, Nosal said, and the officer left. The cook and the cashier were the two employees who were fired.
Maryland
Lightening sparks fire at Eastern Shore bank building
Authorities say lightening caused a fire at a bank administration building on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that heavily damaged the building. The fire was reported about 2 p.m. Thursday, the State Fire Marshal’s Office said in a news release, at the administration building of the Farmers Bank of Willards. Officials say several employees were evacuated and that no one was hurt. It took 40 firefighters about an hour to put out the fire, authorities say. The State’s Fire Marshal’s Office estimates the damage to be about $750,000.
Washington Wizards: End of Season
Washington Capitals: End of Season
Washington Redskins: End of Season
Washington Nationals: San Francisco Giants 2 – 4 Washington Nationals
Washington Mystics: Los Angeles Sparks 95 – 75 Washington Mystics
July 29 7 PM Fifth Harmony: The 7/27 Tour with Special Guest JoJo, Eagle Bank Arena, Fairfax, VA
July 31 7 PM Julion Alvarez, Eagle Bank Arena, Fairfax, VA
July 31 8 PM Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Kevin Gates & Jhene Aiko, Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA
July 31 8 PM Frankie Beverly / James Brown Tribute, Howard Theatre, Washington, DC
