The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
VIRGINIA ROADWAY FATALITIES, LOWEST SINCE '66
While at least 750 people lost their lives on Virginia's roadways last year, the good news is that the toll is the lowest since the state began recording traffic fatalities in 1966. (Richmond Times Dispatch)
UNEMPLOYENT RATES DROP REGIONALLY
The D.C.-area unemployment rate fell in November to 6.1 percent from 6.2 percent in October, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 9.4 percent in November, not seasonally adjusted, up from 6.5 percent a year earlier. (Washington Business Journal)
DC SIDEWALK SMOKING BAN
The D.C. Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enact far-reaching proposals to curtail smoking by giving store owners a tool to prevent smoking on public sidewalks and by assessing new penalties on anyone younger than 18 who possesses tobacco products. (Washington Post)
MORE CUTS COMING TO MONTGOMERY
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) could announce as much as $70 million in midyear budget cuts by the end of the week, spokesman Patrick Lacefield said Monday. Leggett announced late last year that further cuts to the fiscal 2010 budget would be necessary after the county experienced an unexpected drop in revenue. (Gazette)
