Deborah Simmons — Life As It Happens
Related Articles
Senate's rejection of SAFE Act may be blessing in disguise
The Senate's inaction could be a blessing in disguise, because it uncovered why Democrats and liberals are having a field day taking Republicans and conservatives to the wood shed as anti-democratic.
Student safety must be on back-to-school lists
Can we talk about the non-tangibles? Specifically, the school district's checklist. Is school safety on yours and theirs? It should be.
Threading the Baltimore needle
Politicians and community members determined to "fix" Baltimore need to be mindful of that trick of the trade because Charm City could become a model example. In short, what happens next in Baltimore mustn't stay in Baltimore, which means it's time.
Elizabeth Warren and where she stands on public education
The senior senator from Massachusetts doesn't have much to say for herself, considering she teaches law school and kicks the costs of the can labeled "Forgive Them Their College Debt" down the road ... way down the road.
Trump's smoke-and-mirrors act shines spotlight on inner-city troubles
Channeling fellow native New Yorker Jimmy Breslin, Mr. Trump created quite a show of smoke and mirrors by characterizing Baltimore as a city of "rats and rodents."
Wes Pruden: Editor, mentor, genteel man
Wes Pruden so reminded me of my late dad, Arnold P. Simmons, who was 20 years his elder.
Muriel Bowser's anti-gun plan a complex gambit
Well, moms, dads and sweeties everywhere, there are signs that a new D.C. sheriff is in town, and her name is Muriel Bowser, but the name on her badge is "Sheriff Snitch." That's right, snitching of gun owners will become as vogue-ish as hashtags if Mayor Bowser turns her passion to rid the city of illegal guns into a reasonable policy.
Democrats should sign on to Evans probe on Capitol Hill
Top Republicans on the House Oversight Committee want to know what the Metro board knew about the ethics investigation into former Chairman Jack Evans, when did they know it, and how did they learn it.
Mayor Muriel Bowser offers help against the measles menace -- sort of
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Monday that the city will be offering free measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations at clinics and doctors' offices in all eight of the city's wards.
What to do when the D.C. swamp overflows
It's only early July, and there are no clear signs that a hurricane bearing down on the mid-Atlantic region is imminent. That's good news that brings a question about things that might come: What happens when the D.C. swamp overflows?
Maryland slams Metro's 'black hole,' 'obfuscation'
The governor of Maryland, who's responsible for pouring his state's share of Metro funding into mass transit coffers, has made an offer Metro officials and regional leaders can't afford to refuse.
Give America some R-E-S-P-E-C-T
These days, American voters are being goaded by the Democrats into believing there are but two political parties -- theirs on the left and Republicans on the right. The Democrats are anti-Trump, they're scared to tell wannabe Americans that we drive on the right.
D.C. slow to move hand in sports betting
Like New Jersey, the D.C. government jumped in the legalized-gambling line early, promising to have the city's betting programs up and running this fall. Now, they seemingly are behind a deadline of their own making.
Jack Evans, D.C. Council under fire over redistricting
The D.C. Council is under fire and has some heavy lifting to do over the next 18 months, and for the first time since 1991, the voice of Jack Evans on fiscal affairs, redistricting matters and run-of-the-mill national Democratic Party priorities won't be heard.
Metro poker table has too many players
What's going on at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, commonly called Metro? Far too much to encapsulate in a single column or news report.
America's birthday is always a reason to celebrate
America's birthday is always a reason to celebrate, even if the script is changed this year.
D.C legislators' intent to decriminalize prostitution filled with sex, lies and idiocy
The D.C. Council is pondering legislation that would decriminalize prostitution. If passed, there might still be prostitutes walking K Street and other D.C. corridors popular to the sex trade. D.C. lawmakers say their legislative intent is take create a safe working environment for, well, sex workers by removing criminal penalties and reducing their vulnerability to exploitation and violence.
Washington, D.C., homelessness fix requires ending residency fraud
D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine announced Wednesday morning that the city is suing six Maryland parents for fraudulently claiming D.C. residency so they could send their children to D.C. public schools.
D.C. statehood vote that counts
Supporters for making the District of Columbia the 51st state are happy because the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has scheduled a hearing for July 24, when Americans everywhere and in the throes of planning for their summer fun and back-to-school routines -- not beating a drum for D.C. statehood, or Donald Trump, for that matter.
D.C. hospital plan is wacky
Here's the dilemma: The government of the District of Columbia does not know how to own and efficiently and effectively manage a public hospital. It has tried at least five times, and failed in each attempt. Instead of conceding defeat, it's trying a fifth time.
