The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
Study: Immigrants Living in Fear
A new study from the George Mason University's Project on Immigration finds many immigrants have lived in fear since the passage of Prince William's 2007 resolution that requires police to check legal status of those who are arrested. The study was conducted by Debra Lattanzi Shutika, an English professor and folklorist, and Carol Cleaveland, a professional social worker. Lattanzi Shutika also said they were both “ethnographers,” which she defined as a research methodology that focuses on in-depth interviews with people. (InsideNoVa.com)
First Maryland Slots
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and State Treasurer Nancy Kopp (D) on Wednesday approved contracts valued at almost $50 million over the objections of Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) to purchase and lease more than 1,000 video slot machines. The 2-1 vote marked Maryland's first foray into purchasing and leasing slot machines to fulfill a 2008 voter-approved ballot measure authorizing Maryland to place up to 15,000 slots at five sites across the state. A series of problems have led to delays at all five proposed locations, but Hollywood Casino Perryville is now in position to become the state's first operating casino by late October. (Washington Post)
McGruff Punching Bus Driver Rehired
A Metrobus driver involved in a fatal accident and another driver who punched a police officer dressed as McGruff the Crime Dog have been rehired. Arbitrators between Metro and the bus drivers union granted both men their jobs plus months of back pay. One bus driver was fired after he pulled over his bus in February 2009 and punched an off-duty officer dressed as McGruff. He was convicted of simple assault and is expected to be driving a Metrobus later this month. (WTOP)