The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
DC a Big Mickey D's Fan
The District's response to record-setting snowfall has set D.C. taxpayers back nearly $400,000 for cheeseburgers, fries and hotel rooms alone. The city, largely the D.C. Department of Transportation, shelled out $73,380 between Feb. 5 and 15 for McDonald's gift cards. Taxpayers also footed nearly $300,000 in room charges at a half dozen D.C. hotels. Courtyard by Marriott netted $115,045 from three storms, the Capitol Skyline nearly $83,000 and the Channel Inn more than $10,000. (Washington Examiner)
More Firings at DC Schools
DCPS confirmed Candi Peterson's weekend reports in The Washington Teacher that 18 Office of Special Education (OSE) staffers were let go on Friday. No details yet on what jobs they held or what exactly drove the dismissals, although spending pressures seem to be in the mix. (Washington Post)
Palin: I Snuck Across Canadian Border for Healthcare
Sarah Palin's family used to "hustle" across the Canadian border to get healthcare, the former Alaska Governor said this weekend. In a speech in Calgary, Palin called it "ironic" that while growing up in a small Alaskan town near the Canadian border, her family used to sneak across to take advantage of the Canadian healthcare system. (The Hill)
Va. Colleges Can't Ban Gay Discrimination
Virginia's attorney general has advised the state's public colleges that they don't have the authority to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, saying only the General Assembly has that power. The letter sent by Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli to state college presidents and other officials Thursday drew swift criticism from Democrats and gay rights activists. (AP/Washington Times)
Quidditch Flies at GW
For all the hidden Harry Potter fans across campus, the time has come to step out of the broom closet. Formed by sophomores Kelsey McPherson and Jenny Durina, the new organization brings together students who have a penchant for combining witchcraft with a healthy dose of rough-and-tumble athleticism. McPherson and Durina, who are the co-presidents of the league, said the idea of a collegiate Quidditch team came to them while they were making cupcakes for a friend's birthday earlier this year.(The Hatchet)
