Local Leads: 09/08/09

News you need to know

The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:

OBAMA ADDRESS ON EDUCATION SPARKS PROTEST                                                                                                                             Controversy has followed President Barack Obama to the Virginia school where he's getting ready to address the nation's students returning to school for the fall.A small group of protesters gathered outside Wakefield High School in the Washington suburb of Arlington as the president's motorcade was arriving for the midday speech. One sign read, "Mr. President, stay away from our kids."Inside, Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan met with some 40 students in the school library. He told the young people that while his family didn't have money or connections, he still was able to get a good education.     (WTOP)

HARRIS TEETER NEAR NATS STADIUM
The Harris Teeter grocery chains plans to open a store near Nationals Park after signing a letter of intent with developer Forest City Washington Inc., according to sources close to the deal. The Matthews, N.C.-based chain already has two stores in the city, in Adams Morgan in Northwest and on Pennsylvania Avenue SE; it is also building a third across the street from the New York Avenue Metrorail station in NoMa. (Washington Business Journal)   

METRO JOB MARKET ON THE REBOUND                                                                                                                                                                
If projections bear out that the federal government will hire up to 120,000 people for jobs in the region over the next few years, the Washington area economy could be on its way to a rebound faster than most of the nation. Such a hiring boom would have widespread benefits, economists who study the region's employment and housing patterns said. It could reduce the region's unemployment rate, now at 6.2 percent, if jobless people here are hired, and it could revive stagnant home sales if people outside the area are hired. Moreover, as agencies expand to accommodate more workers, they could opt to lease space, boosting the moribund commercial office market. Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit that helps find candidates for federal jobs, released a report last week that listed projected hires for hundreds of agencies between now and 2012. (The Washington Post)

THE DULLES PROJECT BEGINS                                                                                                                                                                           
Last week crews working in the median of the Dulles Airport Access Road began clearing and grading work from Wiehle Avenue to Route 7 in Tysons Corner. The work is being done to prepare for construction of Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metro Project and construction work will increase soon.  This month crews will begin work on the supports for the foundation of the at-grade Metro track for the Wiehle Avenue Station. Occasional closures on the Airport Access Road will be required as work progresses and MWAA will send out future alerts as necessary. Closures are not expected on the Dulles Toll Road.  Construction also began this week on the future Tysons East Metro Station at the corner of Route 123 and Scotts Crossing Road. Related preparation work for the at-grade and aerial track work between Route 123 and the Dulles Toll Road has begun as well.  (Observer)

METRO FARES INCREASE                                                                                                                                                                                    
Metro officials are projecting a major budget shortfall next year, with expenses ballooning by more than $90 million and revenue dropping by almost $40 million, according to a budget forecast prepared by the agency's staff. The forecast, to be presented to board members Thursday by Chief Financial Officer Carol Kissal, is intended to offer early guidance and start discussions over how to plug one of the largest budget gaps in the transit agency's 33-year history. The proposed $1.46 billion budget is for the fiscal year that begins July 2010.  (The Washington Post)

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