The Night Note: 8/20/09

News you need to know

The following stories are brought to you by the fine folks on the News4 assignment desk.

CASH FOR CLUNKERS CLOSING
Cash for Clunkers is being scrapped come Monday -- a move the Obama administration is hoping will cap spending on the wildly popular program and ensure participating dealers get paid. The program, which offers rebates to car shoppers of $3,500 or $4,500 for trading in their gas guzzlers for new fuel sipping vehicles, will officially end at 8 p.m. EDT on Monday. So far, the incentive has generated more than 457,000 in vehicle sales, officials said. (NBC Washington)

STARBUCKS: NOW MORE EXPENSIVE
Starbucks Corp. customers can expect to pay up to 25 cents more for their caffeine fix.  Starting in several cities on Thursday, customers began paying more for larger and more complex drinks and less for smaller and more basic drinks.  In some markets, customers will pay a nickel more for a venti, or large-sized, cup of vanilla bean- or coffee-flavored frappuccino; 15 cents more for a venti mocha or vanilla latte; and 25 cents more for a venti caramel macchiato.  (Wall Street Journal)

WRONG CASKET BROUGHT TO FUNERAL
The blue suit and black boots were right, but mourners at a retired trucker's funeral suspected they were gazing at the wrong man. Some friends and family members kissed the body, despite whispers that something seemed amiss. After a two-hour viewing Tuesday, the funeral home came clean: It had brought in the wrong casket to the church. (MSNBC)

DC HOTEL GETS ENERGY FROM GUESTS' CARS
A Washington hotel has a clean energy solution for arriving guests. New devices being installed outside Georgetown's Four Seasons Hotel will generate electricity with mini-speed bumps that arriving cars will drive over.  Meetel Patel, chief executive officer of the maker of the device, New Energy Technologies, says it will feel like driving over rumble strips, capturing energy from vehicles that are already slowing down. (WTOP)

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