It’s been a chaotic month for AOL employees. First came news that the Dulles-based online giant would be cutting 5000 jobs. Today, another shoe is dropping: the company’s accidental release of customer search data has finally reached the fall guy phase, resulting in the departure of CTO Maureen Govern and, presumably, others. Here’s hoping that those previously laid-off can at least extract a little schadenfreude from the fiasco.
Macaca Misstep Takes Toll In Poll: Yesterday WUSA released a new poll, and the news it brings is not good for George Allen. The numbers show that the senator’s lead over Democratic challenger James Webb has evaporated from nineteen percentage points to a mere three. Perhaps most stunningly (if not importantly, given their generally low turnout rates), Allen has suffered a 40-point swing among young people. The poll also brings great news for Virginia homophobes: the fall ballot’s marriage amendment is poised to pass by a 2:1 margin.
Post Mayoral Endorsement Looms: How’s this for meta-journalism: we’re about to note another news outlet’s story about yet another news outlet’s potential endorsement in the mayoral race. Pretty ridiculous, we know. Still, there’s no denying that the Post’s endorsement could be a big deal in the election, and NBC4 does a fine job laying out the case. As you might expect, they identify the middle of the pack — and Marie Johns in particular — as the biggest potential beneficiaries. But it’s anyone’s guess who’ll actually get the nod.
Blacksburg Manhunt Starts And Ends Tragically: WTOP reports on yesterday’s fugitive spree near Virginia Tech. William Morva escaped from Montgomery Regional Hospital, allegedly killing security guard Derrick McFarland in the process and prompting the nearby university to cancel classes for the day. Morva was recaptured around 3:30 p.m., but not before Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Sutphin’s life had also been lost. The suspect is now being held at an unnamed regional facility.
Traffic Study Prompts Controversy: The Post reports on a spat between Va. Governor Tim Kaine’s administration and pro-growth forces in Loudoun. At the center of the dispute is a study conducted by VDOT and released last month that predicts traffic problems if the Dulles South development is allowed to proceed. The newly-formed Right Growth Policy Institute has now released a set of emails between the Kaine administration and study engineers demonstrating a hands-on approach aimed at enhancing the political consequences of the study. However, although the arrangement may have been shady, no one seems to be questioning the validity of the study’s conclusions.
Briefly Noted: Cropp releases another aggressively anti-Fenty flyer… Deadlock in Richmond over sentence for Arlington man… K-9 unit deployed to identify exact location of Wone murder… Virginia police handed out thousands of tickets last weekend… Georgetown jewelry store robbers were caught on tape…
This Day In DCist: One year ago we profiled a jumbo slice alternative, nursed foolish dreams of a Nats playoff appearance, and penned a gloriously immature headline.
Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user andertho
