Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Drenching storms topple trees, cut power around D.C.
A line of thunderstorms that stretched from Pennsylvania to Virginia walloped the D.C.-area Tuesday afternoon, toppling trees, knocking out power to thousands, and flooding roads as commuters started their evening trip home. Published September 18, 2012
Panda cub born at the National Zoo
A baby panda born Sunday night at the Smithsonian National Zoo delighted zoo officials, biologists and visitors to the park on Monday. Published September 17, 2012
Vandals target Islamic center, cars
Vandals ruined property around two Virginia Islamic centers within a day of each other, prompting an outpouring of community support amid worry that violent Middle East protests against an American film have incited a hateful knee-jerk reaction at home. Published September 16, 2012
D.C. police investigate fight that became stabbing
A man was stabbed Saturday night after an assault escalated, D.C. police said. Published September 16, 2012
Intoxicated pedestrian killed crossing street, police say
A 50-year-old man was struck by a car and killed Saturday night, Prince George’s County police said. Published September 16, 2012
Police investigate domestic shooting and homicide in Capitol Heights
Prince George's County police on Sunday were investigating a double shooting that left one woman dead and another woman injured. Published September 16, 2012
America bids farewell to Neil Armstrong at the National Cathedral
America said its goodbyes Thursday to Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, who was remembered both as a hero and as a humble man from the Midwest. Published September 13, 2012
Rabid beaver chases children in Fairfax; 2nd attack in a week
A rabid beaver leaped from a lake and chased several children who had gathered for a fishing competition in a Fairfax County park on Saturday — the second beaver attack in the county in a week. Published September 12, 2012
Capitol Heights high school student killed on the way to school
A Capitol Heights teenager was gunned down Tuesday as he walked to school, turning what would have been a week of back-to-school traditions into tearful mourning for a young man classmates remember as always smiling. Published September 11, 2012
Memorial Bridge repairs to take two months
Work began Monday on a two-month project to repair the Arlington Memorial Bridge, the landmark southwest span over the Potomac River that has played host to marching protesters, solemn funeral processions and silver-screen productions. Published September 10, 2012
Power being restored after strong Saturday storms
More than 3,500 people in the D.C. area were without power late Sunday afternoon after a bout of severe weather whipped through the region on Saturday afternoon, knocking down trees, blowing out car windows and spawning reports of funnel clouds. Published September 9, 2012
Both Greenbelt fire engines out of commission after Beltway crash
The Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad was forced to start borrowing equipment this weekend after the second of its two fire engines was damaged in a car crash. Published September 9, 2012
Head-on bus crash kills one, injures nine
An Odenton man was killed and nearly a dozen people were injured when a car crashed into a Maryland Transit Administration bus and burst into flames, police said. Published September 9, 2012
Big acts take to a smaller stage
When President Obama moved his Thursday night acceptance speech from Bank of American Stadium to an indoor arena, the star-studded entertainment moved with him, giving the fortunate few delegates and special guests an intimate evening with some of the superstars of music. Published September 6, 2012
In three-way Senate race in Maine, Democrat Dill in a pickle
Maine delegates in town for the Democratic National Convention remained optimistic about the three-way Senate race in the Pine Tree State, gamely insisting the values of their candidate, Cynthia Dill, can still prevail even though centrist independent Angus King appears ready to run away with the race. Published September 6, 2012
Delegate’s front-row seat a bully pulpit on what we eat
Vani Hari had a tube of lipstick, a front-row seat and a message. Amid the sea of signs waved by delegates at the Democratic National Convention, the 33-year-old North Carolina delegate stood with her "Forward" sign held high, crowned by the words "Label GMOs!" written in lipstick red. Published September 5, 2012
Protesters snarl traffic, leave Gray snarling over missed speech
Dozens of protesters shut down a downtown Charlotte, N.C., intersection on Tuesday as they spent roughly two hours in a stalemate with police blocks from the Democratic National Convention, chanting a hodgepodge of complaints ranging from abuse of political power to a lack of paychecks. Published September 4, 2012
Protesters occupy Charlotte intersection, keep D.C. Mayor Gray from voting rights speech
Dozens of protesters shut down a downtown Charlotte, N.C., intersection on Tuesday as they spent roughly two hours in a stalemate with police blocks from the Democratic National Convention, chanting a hodgepodge of complaints ranging from abuse of political power to a lack of paychecks. Published September 4, 2012
Technology will bring history alive at Eisenhower Memorial
Designers behind the Eisenhower Memorial are using cutting-edge technology to help tell the story of a man known for keeping an eye on the future. Published August 30, 2012
Prosecution experts: Muth a con man, competent for murder trial
Prosecution experts say Albrecht Muth should stand trial for killing his 91-year-old wife, concluding in court filings that the accused murderer is not insane but is a con artist delighted with his own publicity, who since being confined to a mental hospital has written a five-volume memoir and selected an actor to play him. Published August 29, 2012