The following stories are brought to you by the fine folks on the News4 assignment desk.
THOUSANDS DEMAND REFUND IN FAIRFAX WATER WAR
WTOP:"A long-running dispute over water rates for out-of-city customers in the Falls Church water system is growing, and Fairfax County is the latest customer asking for a refund.
Falls Church has been supplying water to 110,000 out-of-city customers who for years paid higher rates than customers of the neighboring Fairfax Water Authority. Those getting their water from Falls Church include much of the Tysons Corner shopping and residential area and some Fairfax County office buildings."
MD PROPOSAL WOULD GIVE IN-STATE TUITION TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Washington Post: "Maryland might offer in-state college tuition benefits to undocumented immigrants who have attended state high schools and whose parents are taxpayers, if new legislation being proposed by state Democrats becomes law.
The proposal, which will be introduced by Sen.-elect Victor R. Ramirez (D-Prince George's) when the General Assembly convenes next month, is certain to generate controversy at a time of heated debate about illegal immigration, gaping state budget shortfalls and intense competition for coveted spots at the University of Maryland and other state universities. Montgomery College came under attack earlier this year for offering tuition benefits to illegal immigrants."
HOLIDAY TRAFFIC PATTERNS BRING CHAOS TO I-95
Free Lance-Star:"Rush-hour traffic patterns have gone haywire on Interstate 95 this week in the Fredericksburg area.
I was driving southbound over the Falmouth Bridge on Monday night and the backup headed in the opposite direction was so lengthy it felt like a Sunday night during beach season. The only difference seemed to be fewer vehicle bicycle racks, and more salt-encrusted cars.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Local traffic lore has always held that the drive home on southbound I-95 to Fredericksburg from Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., is a breeze during the quiet week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, with plenty of empty spaces in the commuter lots."
AND, OF COURSE, SQUIRRELS
DCist: "It's not news to us that Washington, D.C. is the home of some of the most daring squirrels in the Western Hemisphere -- a lesson this individual learned the hard way while trying to capture a close-up of one furry scavenger while walking around what appears to be the National Mall."
