Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Couple married to task of cleaning Mall
Nearly 2 miles of Mall separate the Lincoln Memorial from the western foot of the U.S. Capitol, and this weekend a Montgomery County couple did their best to tidy up a few acres. Published October 14, 2013
Hundreds of protesters storm WWII Memorial, Lafayette Square
Hundreds of veterans and their supporters rallied at the World War II Memorial and outside the White House on Sunday, provoking what at times became angry exchanges between police and demonstrators protesting the federal government shutdown. Published October 13, 2013
Mysterious shooting at Virginia soccer park has mom worried
Melissa Jaramillo didn't hear a bang, nor did she see the person holding the gun. But she does remember what it feels like to be shot. Published October 10, 2013
Female lion dies after giving birth at Maryland Zoo
A lion at the Maryland Zoo has died, just days after giving birth to two healthy cubs, officials said Thursday. Published October 10, 2013
D.C.-area lawmakers unite to raise minimum wage
Lawmakers in Montgomery County, Prince George's County and the District on Wednesday will announce a coordinated effort to create a regional minimum wage of $11.50 per hour. Published October 8, 2013
Trailer fire kills 3 in Prince William County
A trailer fire killed three people early Tuesday in Prince William County. Published October 8, 2013
Woman mysteriously shot while watching child’s soccer game at Manassas park
A Gainesville woman was shot in the thigh while watching her child's soccer game in Manassas, police said Monday. Published October 7, 2013
NTSB won’t investigate fatal Metro accident because of government shutdown
The National Transportation Safety Board said it will not investigate a fatal welding accident along Metro's Red Line because of the federal government shutdown. Published October 7, 2013
At cathedral’s Red Mass, bishop warns against ‘petty partisanship’
A Catholic bishop warned against the divisive arguing and selfish behavior that's grown prevalent on Capitol Hill, during Sunday's annual Red Mass dedicated to the U.S. Supreme Court and the nation's elected officials. Published October 6, 2013
Park Police helicopter unit again plays critical role
For the second time in three weeks, the crew members of the U.S. Park Police Aviation Unit played a key role in a crisis situation. Published October 3, 2013
WWII veterans again find way to visit their memorial during shutdown
The National World War II Memorial has emerged as an unlikely icon in the dispute over the federal government shutdown, with some 200 veterans Wednesday again bypassing barriers around the "officially" closed memorial and drawing protesters, curious onlookers and members of Congress to air their frustrations with the ongoing political dispute. Published October 2, 2013
Federal judge denies motion to halt new Maryland gun laws
A federal judge on Tuesday declined to halt Maryland's strict new gun laws while a lawsuit challenging their constitutionality goes forward. Published October 1, 2013
Maryland gun-law foes eye 11th-hour reprieve
Maryland dealers said they were seeing unprecedented sales in the hours before stringent new gun laws were to take effect Tuesday. Published September 30, 2013
Judge to consider motion to delay new Maryland gun laws
A federal judge is scheduled to consider Tuesday whether to issue a temporary restraining order to halt new firearms restrictions set to take effect that day in Maryland. Published September 27, 2013
Officials prepare for ‘unpredictable’ flu season
Health officials on Thursday kicked off the unofficial start to the 2013-14 flu season, stressing the importance of vaccinations but avoiding specifics on the potential severity of this year's strain. Published September 26, 2013
Chilling surveillance video from Navy Yard shooting spree
The man who fatally shot 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard last week did not specifically target his victims and was "prepared to die," FBI officials said. Published September 25, 2013
D.C. minister wants hate crime status for toppled Ten Commandments statue
A minister is calling on D.C. police to investigate as a hate crime the toppling of a Ten Commandments statue outside the headquarters of an evangelical Christian group, but the group's leaders said Tuesday they would be content if the person or people responsible just turned themselves in. Published September 24, 2013
Vandals topple Ten Commandments statue near Supreme Court building
A stone monument of the Ten Commandments that sits across the street from the U.S. Supreme Court was toppled by vandals over the weekend. Published September 23, 2013
Six injured in P.G. County car crash
Six people, including four children, were seriously injured after the car they were riding in struck a tree, Price George's County police said Sunday. Published September 22, 2013
Fond memories amid grief for Navy Yard families
The Navy Yard shooting rampage on Monday claimed a dozen people of different ages, backgrounds and experiences. But the families they left behind are showing a similar resiliency in the aftermath of the tragedy. Published September 18, 2013