The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
DTV TRANSITION TROUBLES
Plans to become a digital nation are in disarray just five weeks before television stations are supposed to shut off analog broadcasts. Consumers do not have quick access to coupons to purchase converter boxes, Congress is toying with postponing the switch, and now a possible way to distribute more coupons may no longer be plausible. (Washington Post)
VA 46TH DISTRICT
Voters have narrowly elected Democrat Charniele L. Herring to fill the seat of former Alexandria Delegate Brian Moran. With all precincts reporting Tuesday, the Virginia State Board of Elections says Herring received 50.18 percent of the vote in the heavily Democratic 46th House District. Republican congressional aide Joe Murray received 49.55 percent of the vote. (AP/wtop.com)
MONTGOMERY FORECLOSURES
Advocates of more housing for low-income families in the county are encouraged by a federal program that looks to swap scores of "foreclosed" signs with "for rent" signs, mainly in Aspen Hill and Germantown. But some in those hard-hit communities are skeptical of a plan they say precludes homeownership and boxes out private investors. (Gazette)
SO THERE IS SUCH A THING AS A FREE RIDE
After all the talk about the bridges and roads that will be closed on Inauguration Day, Virginians got some good news Tuesday—a free ride. Starting at 4 a.m. on Jan 20, OmniRide buses will begin picking up passengers in both the eastern and western areas of Prince William County, and will take them to the Springfield and West Falls Church Metro rail stations—free of charge. The plan comes less than a week after state and local officials announced the closure of Interstate 395 north and Interstate 66 east at the Capital Beltway, beginning at 3 a.m. on Inauguration Day. (Inside NoVA)
NATIONAL ZOO BAMBOO SHORTAGE
The National Zoo is recruiting local landowners to be bamboo benefactors and help bolster the Zoo's supply of bamboo, which has unexpectedly dwindled. The following press release lists the criteria for bamboo suitable for Zoo use. Landowners who grow bamboo that meets these criteria can contact the Zoo's Department of Animal Nutrition at NZPBamboo@si.edu or (202) 633-4098. (NBCWashington.com)
