The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
GOODWILL EXPANDS
Goodwill of Greater Washington is looking to open up to 10 more retail stores in the D.C. area by 2014. The nonprofit, which is flourishing in a down economy thanks to cost-conscious shoppers, wants to open more stores to appeal to a broader population. Donations are up, which means more room is needed to house its vast inventory of books, shoes and clothes. (Washington Business Journal)
TRACKS FOR SALE
Magna Entertainment Corp., owner of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, has asked a bankruptcy judge for permission to auction its Maryland racetracks early next year, under the condition that potential buyers promise not to move the cherished Preakness out of the state. The prospect of Maryland's marquee horse-racing event being ripped away by out-of-state buyers prompted state lawmakers to pass a law earlier this year granting the government rights to seize the Preakness under eminent domain - and Magna alleged in court papers last week that state intervention is unconstitutional and creates a "chilling effect" on its efforts to sell the Maryland tracks. (Baltimore Sun)
LOCAL H1N1 DEATH
A patient at Washington County Hospital has died of H1N1, commonly referred to as swine flu, according to Washington County Health Department spokesman Rod MacRae. MacRae said Monday night the death was the first associated with swine flu in the county, as far as health officials know. MacRae said he was notified of the death Monday, but he did not know when the patient died or if the deceased was male or female. (The Herald-Mail)
H1N1 SHOTS
Local public schools will offer the H1N1 vaccine to their students beginning next week. Vaccination clinics start Monday, Oct. 19, in Stafford County and continue for two weeks. Each school division in the area will host at least one clinic. More than 50,000 children in the region will be offered the injectable version of the vaccine. The mass immunization is part of a nationwide effort and recalls the inoculations of children for polio in the 1950s. (Free Lance-Star)
NO PORN AT STATE SCHOOLS
A statewide student advisory group this weekend unanimously rejected plans to impose a policy on the showing of pornographic movies on campuses of Maryland public colleges and universities."We took a nuanced position to oppose any policy" but to make recommendations because the group recognized that officials plan to adopt a policy, said Brady Walker chairman of the University System of Maryland Student Council, which advises the chancellor. (Gazette)
MORE FOR BOOZE
Annapolis restaurant and liquor store owners are outraged over a 54 percent increase in the cost to renew their liquor licenses next year. (The Capitol)
