Today on NewsTalk Jennifer Donelan was in for Bruce Depuyt. She sat down with Sultan Shakir, campaign manager of Marylanders for Marriage Equality to talk about the debate over same sex marriage in the state. The Maryland bill later in the day passed out of the MD State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee by a 7 to 4 vote.

David Catanese, National Political reporter for Politico, discussed a new poll showing Virginia independent and republican voters are unhappy with the GOP field for the upcoming primary.

We spoke with Dr. Debony Hughes, DDS who is the program chief of the dental health program at the Prince George's County Health Department about changes to Maryland's medicaid dental program.

And Alysoun McLaughlin of the DC Board of Elections discussed upcoming elections and voter registration rules in the District.

WATCH today's interview here:

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Monday on NewsTalk, Jennifer Donelan hosted.  Sirius XM's Joe Madison talked about the death of singer Whitney Houston, her funeral and the legacy she leaves behind.

WTOP National Security Correspondent JJ Green talked about an FBI sting operation that led to the arrest of a terror suspect Friday.

ABC 7's Scott Thuman discussed Rick's Santorum's comments about President's Obama's "theology".

And we met some current and former student's from Ballou High school who participated in a unique study and travel program that has allowed them to travel all over the world.

WATCH Monday's interviews here:

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Friday on NewsTalk, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton talked about the debate over contraception, budget freedom for the District, the debate over extending the payroll tax holiday and transportation.

Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker discussed his endorsement of a luxury casino at National Harbor and local leaders' opposition to Governor O'Malley's proposal to shift teacher pensions to the counties.

And Politico's Dave Levinthal talked about the cozy relationship between presidential candidates and their supposedly independent Super PACs.

WATCH Friday's interviews here:

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Today on NewsTalk, DC Chief Financial Officer Dr. Natwar Gandhi addressed complaints about the revenue projections his office provides, the city’s finances, the lottery contract controversy and the fiscal health of United Medical Center.

We met a dog that was saved from a puppy mill in Arkansas – a blind Lhasa Apso that is being nursed back to health by the Washington Animal Rescue League.

And we spoke with DC Councilman Marion Barry about his confrontation with colleague David Catania, the city’s finances, the lottery contract, ethics, and his former aide’s bid to unseat him in the April primary.

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Friday at 10am: Prince George’s Executive Rushern Baker and DC Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton

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Today on NewsTalk, Politico’s Laura McGann offered analysis of the deal Congressional Democrats and Republicans reached on an extension of the payroll tax holiday.

Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler discussed the foreclosure settlement, and what it means for individual homeowners.

And Ed Smith, the head of the DC firefighters union, talked about tension between DC’s fire chief and the rank and file.

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Today on NewsTalk, DC Mayor Vince Gray talked about last weekend’s citizen summit, allegations of double-dipping by government workers, the statehood trip to New Hampshire and DC ‘s finances. We also talked about President Obama’s bid to get Congress to approve budget autonomy for the city.

Then, Washington Post reporter Gene Wang and Tom Threlkeld of the DC Pro Sports looked at whether the Redskins should make a play for Colts QB Peyton Manning. Also, the departure of U-Md. quarterback Danny O’Brien.

WATCH today’s interviews here:

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Today on NewsTalk, we talked with DC Councilman David Catania about United Medical Center, the city’s surplus, the performance of DC’s Chief Financial Officer, gambling and campaign finance.

Catania called for CFO Gandhi to resign and said categorically he will not support his reappointment when his term expires this spring. He also spoke critically of the process by which internet gambling was approved. He said the proposed ban on corporate campaign contributions – while well-intended – may lead to a system that has less disclosure than the current one.

Politico editor Isaac Dovere talked about the debate over whether Catholic-run institutions should be required to offer health plans that cover contraception.

And 94.7 Fresh FM’s Tommy McFly discussed the death of pop sensation Whitney Houston and last night’s Grammy awards show.

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(Wikipedia/Asterio Tecson)

Saturday night, just hours after news broke that Whitney Houston had died, the District Department of Motor Vehicles paid tribute to the singer with a contest on Twitter, offering a "fast pass" to the first of its followers to correctly answer one of several trivia questions:

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Today on NewsTalk, we looked at the trial of George Huguely, the UVA lacrosse star accused of murder in the death of his girlfriend, Yardley Love. Huguely’s attorneys hope to show that he didn’t intend to kill Love when the two fought in May, 2010. Legal analysts Jim Shalleck and Shelley Broderick discussed the challenge the defense team faces and the overarching role jury selection plays in high-profile court trials.

The shift in power in Richmond is starting to take hold. And today we spoke with political analyst Stephen Farnsworth about the conservative legislation that breathes new life because the GOP has taken control of the state Senate.

In our last segment, we looked at whether the Komen Foundation can undo the damage caused by the Planned Parenthood controversy. Our guest, Washington Times columnist Deborah Simmons, said it will depend on how the organization’s significant grassroots network responds to the recent headlines.

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Today on NewsTalk, Washington Business Journal reporter Missy Frederick talked about the federal government’s decision to have Donald Trump convert the Old Post Office Pavilion into a luxury hotel.

We discussed the issues female ex-offenders face after they’ve served their time. The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) is holding its tenth annual Women’s Forum this Saturday at a church in the District. (For more information, go to www.csosa.gov.)

In our last segment we aired the first 12 minutes of Attorney General Eric Holder’s press conference on the multi-billion-dollar foreclosure settlement that was announced today.

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Friday at 10am: Analysis of the Huguely murder trial and Virginia political analyst Stephen Farnsworth

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Today on NewsTalk, DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown discussed a wide range of issues, including his the city’s new-found surplus, taxi service, gambling and education.

Brown said it’s important that DC cabs be equipped to accommodate wheelchairs and accept credit cards. And he echoed complaints heard often by African-American men, saying he too has trouble hailing a cab in front of the Wilson Building.

He was noncommittal on whether DC’s Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Natwar Gandhi, should be reappointed, saying the city might benefit from a “fresh set of eyes.”

Legal analyst Ken Jost of CQ Press discussed the California court decision striking down Proposition 8, the voter-approved referendum making same-sex unions illegal.

And we spent a couple minutes talking with Adam Tragone of Human Events about Rick Santorum’s three-for-three performance Tuesday night.

WATCH today’s interviews here:

Thursday at 10am: Trump comes to DC

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Today on NewsTalk, Washington Post reporter Mike DeBonis talked about the suspension of nearly one hundred DC government workers suspected of receiving unemployment benefits while collecting city paychecks.

We discussed the deteriorating situation in Syria with CSIS scholar Aram Nerguizian.

We asked Politico's Alex Burns whether anyone can stop Mitt Romney and about the controversial ad being run by U.S. Senate hopeful Pete Hoekstra.

And Robin Ficker talked about his bid to unseat a fellow Republican, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett.

Watch today's interviews here:

Wednesday at 10am: DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown

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Today on NewsTalk, we spoke with Maryland state Delegates Jolene Ivey and Heather Mizeur about Gov. O’Malley’s legislative agenda. Both expressed reluctance to support the governor’s call for new taxes, saying middle class families are already stretched thin. We also discussed the proposal to legalize gambling in Prince George’s and the measure to allow same-sex couples to marry.

In our second half hour, the DC Pro Sports Report’s Tom Threlkeld talked about the Giants win over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. We also discussed the halftime show, the ads, and whether the Redskins should pursue Peyton Manning.

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Tuesday at 10am: Dozens of DC government workers are accused of fraud

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Today on NewsTalk, Northern Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly (D) talked about the news that American employers added nearly 250,000 jobs in January. The hiring surge beat expectations and dropped the nation’s jobless rate to near 8 percent. We also discussed the proposal to freeze federal worker pay, which Connolly called unfair and said will hurt the region’s economy.

We then previewed Super Bowl XLVI with former Giants and Jets LB John Booty and former Redskins lineman Ravin Caldwell. They also looked at the Redskins prospects for a turnaround next season and whether the team should go after Peyton Manning.

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Monday at 10am: Del. Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery) and a recap of the Super Bowl

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Today on NewsTalk, Washington Post columnist Bob McCartney and I discussed Gov. Martin O’Malley’s State of the State address. O’Malley has challenged the Maryland General Assembly to enact an ambitious agenda, and he’s getting mixed reviews from local leaders and opposition from the GOP. Progressives have hailed his call for the legalization of same-sex unions. We also talked about the possible repeal of internet gambling in the District and the apparent scandal at the DC Dept. of Housing and Community Development.

Then, Prince William Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart talked about immigration, this year’s session of the Virginia legislature, the Romney-Gingrich battle and his bid to become Lt. Governor in 2013. For the first time, Stewart said he’s endorsing former Governor Romney.

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Friday at 10am: A preview of Super Bowl XLVI.

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Today on NewsTalk, Politico Editor-in-Chief John Harris talked about Mitt Romney’s victory in the Florida primary and Newt Gingrich’s pledge to keep his campaign going until the convention. We also discussed Politico’s fifth anniversary.

Then, Prince George’s Council Chair Andrea Harrison and Vice-Chair Eric Olson talked about their opposition to one of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s signature budget proposals. Also, the proposal to allow gambling in the county, health care, and Whole Foods bid to open a store in College Park.

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Thursday at 10am: Reaction to Gov. O’Malley’s State of the State address.

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Today on NewsTalk, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) talked about his re-election bid and the charges, from a GOP rival, that he can't win his newly-redrawn district. We also talked about gridlock in Washington, the deficit, transportation and defense spending, and the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Then, former DC Councilman Sekou Biddle (D) discussed his bid to reclaim his old post. We talked about ethics reform, education, gambling and the influence of corporate contributions on our politics.

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Wednesday at 10am: Politico's John Harris. Also, Andrea Harrison and Eric Olson, the chair and vice chair of the Prince George's Council.

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Today on NewsTalk, WAMU reporter Patrick Madden talked about the DC Council’s review of internet gambling legislation, a review that put top city officials in a crossfire between Council members David Catania and Marion Barry.

DC Vote’s Ilir Zherka discussed Mayor Gray’s testimony in New Hampshire on a resolution backing statehood for the District. Lawmakers and advocates accompanied the mayor on his trip to Concord, which ended when NH lawmakers defeated the resolution soundly.

And Pete Tucker of thefightback.org talked about the National Park Service’s implementation of new “no sleeping” rules at the Occupy protest at McPherson Square.

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Tuesday at 10am: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) and former DC Councilman Sekou Biddle

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Today on NewsTalk, Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner talked about the opposition to Gov. Martin O'Malley's attempt to shift part of the burden for teacher pensions from the state to the counties. We also talked about the council's decision to link the upcounty with Shady Grove using Bus Rapid Transit, rather than rail.

Then, Tim Day, the Ward 5 Republican whose allegations led to the downfall of former Councilman Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr., announced his intention to seek the seat Thomas vacated earlier this month.

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Monday at 10am: New Hampshire considers a resolution in support of DC statehood

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(Photo: WTOP)

WTOP political analyst Mark Plotkin has been removed from his perch at D.C.’s leading all-news radio station, though the circumstances surrounding his ouster remain murky.

Reached by phone shortly after the Post's Erik Wemple broke the story, Plotkin would only say, “Things happen. But I’m fine. Really, I’m fine.”

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