The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
IPODS AND ACCIDENTS
A spike in fatal accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists and others who were listening to digital music players has public safety experts urging Washingtonians to turn off their iPods and tune in to potential danger "It's a very pernicious form of distraction," AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend said. "Very few of us can drive and chew gum at the same time." (Examiner)
GAS PRICES CLIMB
With gas prices ratcheting up this week to the highest level since the beginning of the year, consumers clutching the pump may be in for a shockingly expensive ride. A gallon of unleaded regular gas has increased to an average of $2.77 in the Baltimore metropolitan area, which includes Anne Arundel County, from $2.69 just a week ago, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic, a motorists' club. (The Capital)
TRAILERS FOR TEACHING
Trailers are a reality at nearly 70 percent of public schools in Fairfax County. Of about 135 schools with trailers, 14 schools number trailers in the double-digits. With enrollment at public schools expected to increase by about 1,700 students in the 2010-11 school year, the number of trailers could also go up, said Fairfax County Public School officials. And while trailer use is not ideal, school administrators say, limited funding makes trailers the best option for teachers and students. (Fairfax Times)
ARLINGTON JOBLESS LOWEST IN STATE
While maintaining the lowest unemployment rate across Virginia, Arlington in January followed a trend toward higher joblessness across the commonwealth. All told, 131,525 county residents were employed in the civilian workforce during the month, with 6,362 looking for work, according to figures reported March 17 by the Virginia Employment Commission. (Sun Gazette)
