The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
IMMIGRATION RALLY
Immigration reform march set for Sunday. Thousands of people representing a broad spectrum of religious, labor and civil rights groups are expected here Sunday by organizers of a series of events that focus on a call for immigration reform. The demonstrations are expected as part of what organizers call a March for America. Events are to include a rally on the National Mall, a march to RFK Stadium, and an interfaith prayer service on the mall.
The prayer service has been scheduled for 1 p.m. with the rally and march an hour later. Rally organizers have estimated that the total crowd could number in the tens of thousands making the demonstrations among the largest here in months.
(WASHINGTON POST)
STOLEN PUPPY
The skies were blue, the day was the warmest in months, and as a boy and his dog took a walk Saturday, it might have seemed that nothing could go wrong. But while nature seemed to smile, the boy, according to Montgomery County police, was robbed of the dog.
Police said the 13-year-old boy, who was not named, was out with the 8-week-old puppy in the Montgomery Village area.
About 2:10 p.m., police said, two youths, one described as age 13 to 16 and the other 10 to 13, approached near Snouffer School Road and Ridge Heights Drive. They grabbed the puppy and ran, police said.
(WASHINGTON POST)
[Editor's note: The puppy has since been returned.]
RESTAURANT TIP BAN
Ever eat at a restaurant and when the bill comes there's a charge you didn't expect? Many restaurants tack on an automatic tip when serving large groups, such as groups of 6 or 8 people. Cheryl Glenn says more than once, she's gone out to eat and the service wasn't great but the restaurant tacked on an automatic tip.
Glenn thinks automatic tips discourages some waiters and waitresses from providing good service because they know they'll still get their tip. That's why Glenn, a Maryland delegate (D-Baltimore City), is sponsoring a bill that would ban restaurants in the state from adding automatic tips for parties of fewer than ten people. If the bill passes, restaurants that break the law could be fined up to $5,000.
(WTOP)
HYBRID DRIVERS IN CARPOOL LANES
Drivers of hybrid vehicles can continue using Virginia's carpool lanes even if they are driving alone. The state has extended the hybrid exemption another year, through June 30, 2011. The General Assembly passed the extension, and Gov. Bob McDonnell signed it into law on March 13.
Only hybrid vehicles with special clean fuel license plates issued before July 1, 2006, can use the high-occupancy-vehicle lanes on interstates 95 and 395 during rush hour. All hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates can use other HOV lanes in the state, including I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road.
(WASHINGTON EXAMINER)
HEALTH CARE VOTE
House Democrats are predicting that a rare Sunday session will produce one of the most significant legislative triumphs in decades: passage of a historic bill to overhaul the nation's health care system to provide coverage to millions of people who currently lack it.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Republicans resolutely opposed to the bill didn't concede defeat Saturday, but warned they will make Democrats pay dearly in the fall elections if the fiercely debated bill passes.
(USATODAY/AP)
