Good morning, we start this morning by taking a look at this photo by Thomas Michael Corcoran from a series of photos of him being stopped by security authorities after taking photos for an assignment outside the Australian Embassy.
Aide to Ehrlich Resigns After Gossip Allegation Regarding O’Malley: Trouble in Annapolis and Baltimore! There are rumors that Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley had an extra-marital affair, something that the possible 2006 gubernatorial candidate charges are meant to smudge his image in a pre-election attack. The Post reports that an aide to Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich, Joseph Steffen “confirmed yesterday that he had discussed the rumor on a popular conservative Web site and in private e-mails” the newspaper obtained. This should be interesting.
Local Kid Does Well on “Jeopardy!” Teen Tourney: Ever since this DCist moved out of his great aunt’s house soon after college — where watching WRC’s “It’s Academic” was a Saturday morning ritual with breakfast — we haven’t watched the world’s longest running quiz show in quite some time (but maybe we should, the Academic Superbowl is coming soon when Washington takes on Baltimore and Charlottesville). Michael Braun of Silver Spring’s Blake High School, who has done quite well on “It’s Academic” for the past three seasons, took home the $75,000 grand prize of the “Jeopardy!” teen tournament, the Post reports.
Another Montgomery County student, Steve Golden of Sherwood High, played in the tournament, but was eliminated. Regardless of that finish, all of this is certainly a good sign for Montgomery County schools, which seem to be fertile ground for television quiz show talent and for top-ranking AP test results, along with many Virginia schools.
More on Hazardous Materials Trains: CSX, whose rail line through Washington runs very close to the center of the city, is asking the Surface Transportation Board to stop legislation from the D.C. Council that would ban hazardous materials trains from traveling through the city, the AP, via WJLA reports. The railroad, which fears similar actions by communities across the country, says the legislation would regulate interstate commerce, which is someting the District of Columbia is not supposed to meddle with. As you can see, as DCist wrote about on Monday, it appears that trains carrying nasty stuff are indeed passing through the city.
Briefly Noted: Virginia’s Senate kills indoor-smoking ban … Elsewhere in Richmond, the state House passes gay marriage ban … And in Maryland, a gym teacher has been reassigned after using British HIV/AIDS prevention organization quiz that some parents deem sexually charged.
(Historic image of “It’s Academic” from WRC/NBC-4)
