Today on NewsTalk, Montgomery County Councilman Hans Riemer explained why he and his colleagues felt forced to make some tough budget moves this month when they put the finishing touches on a spending plan for FY 2012. This is the third year in a row the Council’s budget deliberations have been impacted by the recession, and county workers are definitely feeling it. We also discussed the county’s changing demographics and its transportation needs.

Also: Politico’s Ken Vogel talked about the Sarah Palin bus tour. Pete Tucker of thefightback.org previewed tomorrow’s DC cabbie protest. And Alex Parker talked about the NBA Finals, which get underway tonight.

If you missed any of today’s show, the link to the full hour is here:

Wednesday at 10am: DC Council members Bowser, Thomas and Wells. Also: Dave Lucas on the possible brain cancer/cell phone link and a preview of the U.S. Open, which starts this week at Congressional.

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Today on NewsTalk, Rep. Jim Moran talked about the provision that would cap the number of parking spaces at the Mark Center in Alexandria and give the Secretary of Defense the power to delay the shift of BRAC personnel to that site. Moran has long been concerned that moving workers from leased office space in Arlington to the Mark Center will cause massive traffic tie-ups along I-395.

Also today, Washington Post reporter Miranda Spivack discussed the Prince George’s Council’s approval of a FY ’12 budget – and lawmakers’ decision to leave their own budget unscathed. Our Mike Conneen talked about his leap out of a plane at last week’s Air Show (great video!). And we got some summer safety tips from Angela Mickalide of the SafeKidsUSA Campaign.

If you missed any of today’s show, check it out here:

Monday at 10: Highlights from several recent episodes.

Tuesday at 10: DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier.

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Thursday on NewsTalk, we looked at the DC budget debate – who stands to pay more in taxes and fees, which programs took a hit, and who came out ahead politically. Joining us: reporters Mark Segraves and Mike DeBonis.

Also, meteorologist Adam Caskey talked about the extraordinary string of tornadoes that continues to slam the Midwest. Adam’s from Minnesota originally and had some good insight into these devastating twisters.

Lastly, we interviewed two employers who make it their business to hire returning citizens (ex-cons). A number of viewers called during the segment eager to learn more about the CSOSA program that encourages companies to hire returning citizens. The information is at the end of the segment.

View thursday’s program here:

Friday at 10: Rep. Jim Moran, Miranda Spivack and Mike Conneen

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Today on NewsTalk, Politico’s Jeanne Cummings talked about the looming crisis over the debt ceiling and the Democrats’ win in yesterday’s special congressional election in New York.

Dr. Gary Weitzman, head of the Washington Animal Rescue League, discussed the organization’s efforts to help animals impacted by floods and tornadoes in the South and Midwest.

And Jim Dinegar, head of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, talked about Mayor Gray’s meetings with Walmart officials in Las Vegas, rail to Dulles and Gov. O’Malley’s trade trip to China, Korea and Vietnam.

If you missed any of today’s show, check it out below:

Thursday at 10am: Reporters Mark Segraves and Mike DeBonis. Also: employers who hire ex-offenders.

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Kathy Park hosted Tuesday's edition of NewsTalk. Today Jan Pan, Executive Director of the Hepatitis B Initiative, talked about disease awareness among Asian Americans. She was joined by John Moon, who lost his brother to Hepatitis B and he himself has Hep B.

Then, veteran crime reporter, Scott McCabe discussed The Washington Examiner's readers help in nabbing a 30th fugitive.

Then ABC7’s Kris Van Cleave joined Kathy Park to break down the disturbing rate at which pedestrians are struck in the District.

And Noriko Sanefuji of the National Museum of American History and Sameen Piracha of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program (APAP) gave us a look at the Sweet and Sour display at the Smithsonian. 

You can watch the whole episode below:

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Arch Campbell, Cynne Simpson and Prof. Kim Meltzer of Georgetown University talked about Oprah Winfrey's impact on America.

And Politico Senior Editor David Mark addressed the latest on the race for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination on the heels of Tim Pawlenty's announcement that he would enter the republican primary, and Mitch Daniels' decision not to run.

You can watch the full show below

Tuesday at 10am: Pedestrian dangers in the District and preventing Hepatitis B in the Asian Pacific American community.

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Today on NewsTalk, DC Mayor Vince Gray discussed police staffing levels, the DCPS cheating probe, homeless families, the Attorney General’s investigation into the spike in gas prices voting rights, the Cheh hearings and more.

If you missed our conversation, check it out below:

Friday at 10am: Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot

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Today on “NewsTalk”, we discussed former Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson’s dramatic plea deal with federal prosecutors. After initially vowing to fight the numerous bribery and extortion charges against him, Johnson pled guilty yesterday to two counts. Sentencing won’t occur until September and he’s free until then. Reporter Brad Bell offered some great insight into the case in our first segment. If you missed it, the video link is just below.

Also today, Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) discussed the Johnson matter, the high price of gas, the debate over whether to lift the debt ceiling, and the war in – and her recent trip to – Afghanistan. Then, Shane Farthing, head of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, talked about Bike to Work Day, which is Friday, and the spike in the number of people biking to work. 

Thursday at 10am: DC Mayor Vince Gray

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Day 2 of our look at Walmart's bid to open four stores in the District. This time, the skeptics. Joining us: Tommy Cafcas of Good Jobs First and Marina Streznewski of the DC Jobs Council and spokeswoman for the Respect DC Agreement.

Then: Washington Post reporter Mike DeBonis and WAMU reporter Patrick Madden talk about Monday's marathon DC Council work session on the budget and the latest batch of e-mails on the Gray administration's early hires.

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May 16th NewsTalk:

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Just days after telling members of the Maryland General Assembly it’s time to address the need for additional transportation funding, the president of the Maryland Senate is expressing doubt lawmakers will agree to do so.

Speaking on NewsChannel 8 today, Sen. President Mike Miller predicted “we’re not going to be able to get the votes to raise the gas tax in October.” Miller (D-Calvert) made his comments on “NewsTalk with Bruce DePuyt.”

Earlier this week, the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun reported on a letter Miller sent to all 188 members of the state legislature. In it, he said the special session being held this fall should go beyond redistricting to include “greater contributions from the users and beneficiaries of our public infrastructure” (interpreted as a hike in the gas tax, which is currently 23.5 cents a gallon) and “sharing” teacher pension costs with the counties.

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Today on “NewsTalk,” noted climate expert Dr. Joseph Romm talked about the link between climate change and the extreme weather we’re seeing with increasing frequency around the globe. Romm, who oversees the climateprogress.org blog, discussed man’s role in boosting the earth’s temperature – and why even subtle changes have helped produce dramatic and harmful weather. We look at alternative forms of energy and how much of the damage that’s been done may be irreversible.

Later, AAA’s John Townsend talked about the high price of gas and DC “shadow” Sen. Michael D. Brown discussed the latest in the series of DC democracy arrests near the Capitol, Mayor Gray’s testimony on Capitol Hill today, and the grilling that White House aide Michael Blake took last night at a DC church.

If you missed any of today’s show, we invite you to view it here.

Friday at 10am: Maryland Senate President Mike Miller and Scott Cleland, author of “Search & Destroy: Why you can’t trust Google”.

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Today on NewsTalk, we looked at the affordable housing crunch that has long made renting – and buying – a home very challenging for many people in this region. Our panel included Barbara Goldberg-Goldman, co-chair of the Montgomery County Affordable Housing Council; Mike Pitchford of the Community Preservation and Development Corporation; and Mynor Herrera of Keller Williams Capital Properties.

We also talked with Politico’s Andy Barr about Newt Gingrich’s decision to seek the Republican Party’s president nomination. And – Alex Parker looked at the selection of Mark Turgeon to be men’s basketball coach at Maryland. 

If you missed any of today’s show, it’s available here:

Wednesday at 10am: Should the District balance its budget with spending cuts or tax hikes? And: were innocent men convicted in a 1984 murder?

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Today on NewsTalk, we had a fascinating conversation with former Navy SEAL Dick Couch about the raid that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. If you missed it, check it out below:

Also today: WTOP's Adam Tuss talked about the debate over where to locate the new Metro station at Dulles. Sam Ford looked at the Post report showing that nearly one-third of the District's 600,000 residents are in their 20s or early 30s. And Save the Children's Mark Shriver discussed the impact of severe weather -- like tornadoes -- on children.

Monday at 10: Will the President get an Osama bounce?

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Today on NewsTalk, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) discussed the death of Osama bin Laden, whether the White House should release photos of bin Laden’s body and the war in Afghanistan. We also talked about the rally in opposition to HR 3, a Republican-backed abortion measure, and her upcoming forum on gang/crew violence. Councilwoman Mary Cheh joined us by phone during the middle part of our interview with Norton, as she was one of eight people arrested protesting the abortion measure.

Our second guest today was Chuck Short, a special assistant to Montgomery Co. Executive Ike Leggett. Short, who was honored yesterday by Interfaith Works for his decades of social services advocacy, discussed the growing gap between rich and poor.
You can view all of today’s show here:

Friday at 10: A former Navy SEAL discusses the bin Laden raid, Adam Tuss on rail to Dulles, and the infusion of young people in DC.

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Today on NewsTalk, we talked about the case against Prince George’s County Councilwoman Leslie Johnson. Washington Post reporter Miranda Spivack discussed the paper’s report that a plea deal involving Johnson, set for today, was cancelled.

Then, Kris Baumann, head of the DC police union, talked about the impact budget cuts are having on the Metropolitan Police, the Charlie Sheen escort and more.

We also chatted with Ryan O’Halloran of CSN Washington about whether the Capitals can come back from a 3-0 hole against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

If you missed any of today’s program, you can view it here:

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Today on NewsTalk, we had an excellent follow-up look at the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

David Silverberg, editor of Homeland Security Today, discussed how the raid went down and what the security threat is going forward. Politico’s Ben Smith discussed the treasure trove of information that was seized during the operation. And A.U. scholar Peter Starr looked at why conspiracy theories (Is Osama really dead?, the birther controversy) persist.

In our last two segments, DC Appleseed’s Walter Smith and Brooke DeRenzis discussed their report on the Anacostia River.

You can view today’s interviews here:

Wednesday at 10am: Kris Baumann, head of the DC police union

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Today on NewsTalk we discussed the Special Forces raid that took out Osama bin Laden in Abbottobad, Pakistan. Joining our conversation: Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.), Rep. Gerry Connolly (Va.), Politico White House bureau chief Joe Williams and WJLA reporter Rebecca Cooper.

Then we turned to local issues: Montgomery County Councilman Hans Riemer discussed that jurisdiction’s legal battles with its employee unions, the lax oversight of the county’s vehicle fleet and the retirement of long-serving superintendent Jerry Weast. And former D-DOT head Gabe Klein, who is heading to Chicago to serve as Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s transportation chief, talked about the future of urban mobility.

You can see all of today’s interviews here:

Tuesday at 10am: More on the death of Osama bin Laden, why conspiracy theories persist long after they’ve been debunked and cleaning the Anacostia River.

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