The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
MARYLAND CUTS
A national economic meltdown has sucker-punched Maryland, according to state revenue numbers released yesterday portending major budget cuts in previously protected areas such as public safety, education and health care. A grim-faced Gov. Martin O'Malley issued an executive order requiring about 67,000 state workers to take up to five days of unpaid leave, and he said a projected $1.9 billion revenue gap in next year's budget could require state worker layoffs. (Baltimore Sun)
VIRGINIA BUDGET, CIGARETTE TAX?
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine this morning rolled out details of Virginia's hard-times budget, which the Democrat proposes balancing with higher taxes on cigarettes. Kaine, heading into the final year of a term characterized by a down economy, said doubling the tobacco tax from 30 cents to 60 cents per pack is a relatively easy way to help close a $2.9 billion hole in the two-year $77 billion budget. Kaine says revenues from a higher cigarette tax -- about $160 million -- could offset rising costs of the Medicaid health program for the poor and aged. (Richmond Times Dispatch)
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY SCHOOL CUTS
The Prince George's County schools superintendent will unveil a $1.68 billion budget proposal today that would slash about 900 positions from the school system's workforce, close six schools and increase class sizes in first through third grades. To save $106 million, Interim Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. recommends eliminating 917 jobs in the fiscal year that begins in July, among them teachers, assistant principals, parent liaisons, instructional coaches and support staff. School officials said yesterday that they hope to eliminate the jobs through attrition -- from 600 to 800 teachers leave the system each year -- rather than laying off employees. The budget would include no cost-of-living salary increases.
ANNAPOLIS SUSPICIOUS LETTER
Suspicious packages have been sent to National Guard bureaus and reserve facilities in 36 states, including Maryland, federal authorities revealed today. An internal Dec. 16 report from the Department of Homeland Security said the 51 packages included anti-war compact discs, and one package also had a suspicious powder. It said the powder, sent in a package to Utah's National Guard headquarters in Draper, was tested and found not to be toxic. (Baltimore Sun)
FATHER ACQUITTED IN SON'S DEATH
A Loudoun County man whose adopted toddler died after being left in a sport utility vehicle in the hot sun was acquitted this morning of involuntary manslaughter by a Fairfax County judge who said "no prison term is going to cause more pain than that which he has already suffered." (Washington Post)
BOWMAN GIRLS AUTOPSY
Two adopted children whose bodies were found in their mother's freezer died of asphyxiation, according to the medical examiner. The bodies of Jasmine Nicole Bowman, 9, and Minnet Cecila Bowman, 11, were found in the basement freezer of Renee Bowman's Lusby, Md., home in September as part of a child abuse investigation. (NBCWashington.com)
MADOFF/LOCAL IMPACT
The umbrella group that provides funds to almost every Jewish nonprofit group in the Washington region might have lost more than $10 million when the investment firm operated by Bernard L. Madoff collapsed last week in what authorities describe as one of the largest securities frauds in history. (Washington Post)
GM BANKRUPTCY
General Motors is likely to file for bankruptcy protection with government backing, giving bondholders a recovery of more than 25 cents on the dollar, according to Moody's Investors Service. (Washington Post)
PRINCE WILLIAM WORKERS INJURED
Two construction workers were injured after falling from a roof-support beam in the classroom addition to Marumsco Hills Elementary School in Woodbridge Tuesday morning. One helicopter took both workers to a local hospital. Both suffered head injuries and were in serious condition, fire officials said. Workers were injured when they fell approximately 20 feet to a concrete floor. (Insidenova.com)
TRAVEL DOWN
The number of Americans traveling during the Christmas holiday period is down 2.1 percent this year -- the first decline in holiday travelers in six years, according to AAA. (Examiner / Washington Business Journal)
POTTY TRAINING CATS
Potty training a cat sounds impossible, right? Wrong. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who are tired of seeing cat litter kicked all over the bathroom floor you’re not alone. (Examiner)
