Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Truncated King quote removed from memorial
The controversial "drum major" quote has been removed from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the new, finished product should be ready days before events to mark the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington on Aug. 28. Published August 1, 2013
Court fight looms over Va. ban on gay marriage
The ACLU and Lambda Legal plan to file a lawsuit in federal court on Thursday to overturn Virginia's constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage. Published July 31, 2013
Test score increases in D.C. are ‘very good news’
Standardized test scores for D.C. public and charter schools are the highest they have been in six years, an accomplishment officials on Tuesday said should be applauded but also serve as motivation to continue to raise the bar. Published July 30, 2013
D.C. judge orders gun activist seen loading shotgun in video held without bail
A D.C. judge on Monday ordered a conservative Internet talk show host held without bond after he was seen in a video loading a shotgun in the District's Freedom Plaza, a demonstration the defense called an example of political speech but one that the judge said made the host "a very dangerous man." Published July 29, 2013
Years of pain intend to be Virginia commuters’ gain on I-95
Twelve months into a massive three-year project to establish, expand and improve high-occupancy toll lanes between Alexandria and Stafford County, Virginia transportation officials are standing by their predictions of smoother commutes in the near future — even though the current reality is construction-related gridlock and delay. Published July 28, 2013
Parents Day gives caregivers a national shoutout
Emma Loftin-Woods became a parent for the second time when she was 46. Published July 25, 2013
Virginia man honored for heroics in WWII
Sixty-eight years after an act of bravery over the skies of Japan during World War II, Millard "Lefty" Palmer last weekend was presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross. Published July 23, 2013
Work underway to remove quote from Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
A chain-link fence and yellow caution tape marked the start Monday of a major change planned for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial as officials prepare to remove the controversial "drum major" inscription from the side of the monument. The project is expected to last for three to four weeks and wrap up before events to mark the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington on Aug. 28. Published July 22, 2013
Eisenhower memorial passes another test
The commission charged with overseeing the planning and design of monuments in the District approved the general concept of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial on Thursday, but not before offering some suggestions for designers to consider as they work toward final approval. Published July 18, 2013
Water main shutoff in P.G. means changing habits in summer heat
Tens of thousands of Prince George's County residents were preparing Tuesday to spend the hottest week so far this year without running water, thanks to a failing underground pipeline that urgently needs to be replaced. Published July 17, 2013
P.G. water main repair poses health risks as scorching temperatures arrive
National Weather Service officials said temperatures would continue to feel like the low 100s for the next several days. The high heat poses risks in parts of Prince George's County, where a water main repair is expected to completely cut off service for thousands of residents for several days. Published July 15, 2013
‘Corpse plant’ sure to live up to its reeking reputation at Botanic Garden
A box of dead rabbits left to bake in the Florida sun. That's the best description Ari Novy of the U.S. Botanic Garden said he's heard for the pungent odor produced by the titan arum, a behemoth of a plant world-renowned for its selective blooming, its size and its stench. Published July 14, 2013
D.C. Council approves bill imposing ‘living wage’ requirement on Wal-Mart
The D.C. Council on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that would raise by 50 percent the minimum wage that certain large retailers would be required to pay, setting up a showdown with Wal-Mart officials who have threatened to alter their plans for six stores in the District if the measure passed. Published July 10, 2013
ACLU braced to challenge Va. gay marriage ban
The ACLU of Virginia on Tuesday announced it will file a federal lawsuit challenging a Virginia constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage — part of a nationwide effort to revisit marriage rights in states where the issue has seemingly been settled. Published July 9, 2013
Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage targeted by ACLU
The ACLU of Virginia on Tuesday announced it will file a federal lawsuit challenging a Virginia constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage — part of a nationwide effort to revisit marriage rights in states where the issue has seemingly been settled. Published July 9, 2013
Maryland gambles on film incentives with ‘House of Cards’
The use of tax credits to lure production of the Netflix series "House of Cards" to Maryland has renewed a nationwide debate among lawmakers over the benefits of offering high-dollar incentives to encourage Hollywood to come to them. Published July 8, 2013
Illumination of Washington Monument marks ‘milestone’ in repairs
The Washington Monument is set to be illuminated at sunset Monday, marking what National Park Service officials call a "milestone" in the three-year plan to repair earthquake damage to the famous structure. Published July 7, 2013
Demand for fireworks a booming business year-round
The head of Dominion Fireworks will oversee 68 workers putting on nearly 20 shows across the area on Thursday — with more powerful explosives, more illustrative displays and more sophisticated triggers than he had back in the day. Published July 3, 2013
Celebrate the 4th, pick up a little trash on way out
It's America's birthday party in what is often called the nation's backyard. But this year Uncle Sam is hoping to save a few bucks by pushing off the celebration's cleanup until daybreak. Published July 1, 2013
Inmate found dead from apparent suicide at D.C. jail
An inmate at the D.C. jail was found dead from an apparent suicide, corrections officials said. Published June 30, 2013