The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
MARYLAND FURLOUGH DAY
Maryland's courts are open Friday, but more than 1,000 public defenders, assistant attorneys general and other state lawyers are off that day -- making for what some court employees are saying could be a waste of a workday. The Friday leading into Labor Day weekend is the first of five planned state shutdowns that, together with additional days of unpaid leave, will save about $75 million. Gov. Martin O'Malley announced furloughs for almost all of the state's 70,000 workers last week. (Baltimore Sun)
PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT WAKEFIELD HIGH, SOME VIRGINIA SCHOOLS NOT SHOWING IT
On Tuesday, President Barack Obama will deliver a back-to-school address to the nation's students about taking responsibility for their success in school. (Richmond Times Dispatch)
DC METRO AREA TRAFFIC
The D.C. area is moving up on a list, but it’s not a positive one. The region is now the fourth-most congested market in the U.S., according to Inrix’s data from 2008 through mid-2009. Traffic increased by 9 percent in the area in the first half of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008 when it ranked No. 5. Kirkland, Wash.-based Inrix, which provides traffic information to customers such as MapQuest and Microsoft Corp., says the D.C. area’s worst peak traffic comes between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursdays. (Washington Business Journal)
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE PRESIDENT IN HOT WATER
Montgomery College President Brian K. Johnson on Wednesday launched a defense of his administration, characterizing recent allegations of mismanagement and overspending as a "vicious attack on my credibility" by labor groups seeking advantage in contract negotiations. More than 200 full-time faculty approved a no-confidence vote last week on Johnson, 52, president of Maryland's largest community college since 2007. Trustees are scheduled to meet Thursday to consider Johnson's performance in light of a report, prepared by faculty leadership groups and delivered to the board, that alleges Johnson was frequently absent from his office, skipped important meetings, intimidated staff and overspent with his corporate credit card. The closed meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the college. (Washington Post)
