WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio

10/15/2024

Maryland voters will weigh in on Question 1, which would enshrine "reproductive freedom" in the state's constitution. https://wamu.org/story/24/10/15/abortion-maryland-ballot-question-1/

10/14/2024

The giant pandas are coming back a little less than a year after three pandas were returned to China, leaving bear sized holes in the heart of the D.C. region.

A translated statement from the China Wildlife Conservation Association says three year old pandas Qing Bao [shing bow] and Bao Li [bow-lee] started their journey to the states today October 14.

But the timeline on when zoo visitors will be able to see the bears remains unclear.
The National Zoo announced this afternoon on social media that the zoo will be closed to the public October 15. However, they have yet to share any more specifics.

10/11/2024

The Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook, and North Bethesda Metro stations on the Red Line will close this weekend, including indigenous people's day on Monday.

Workers at those stations will replace switches, maintain gates, and test cable insulation.

Free shuttles will replace some service on this line. Trains will run every 8 to 10 minutes at open stations along the rest of the red line.

10/11/2024

It's the last day of our Fall Campaign and we are CELEBRATING YOU! You are the most important part of WAMU! Your gift has an impact, join us today.

If you weren't tuning in this morning, you missed Esther and Jenn THANKING YOU for being our friend during the campaign. Haven't given yet? It's not too late to give right now: https://donate.wamu.org/page/73248/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=facebook&supporter.appealCode=AMO2410S0000

10/11/2024

Angela Alsobrooks and Larry Hogan sparred over abortion, foreign policy, and gun control in the sole debate in the Maryland U.S. Senate race. https://wamu.org/story/24/10/09/dc-mental-health-crisis-what-to-expect/

10/11/2024

Metro GM Randy Clarke joins The Politics Hour today at noon.

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke on fare evasion, self-driving trains, the Circulator, and a looming financial crisis.

10/11/2024

🚨 Donate before the party’s over! 🚨

We’re in the final stretch of our Fall Fundraising Campaign, and there’s still time to make a difference! 🕒 If you’re new to WAMU, now’s your chance to join our community and support the trusted journalism that keeps you informed every day.

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🎉 Your gift today helps us reach our goal and ensures we can continue bringing you the news, stories, and music you love. Every donation counts, and it’s not too late to join the movement.

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10/10/2024

Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke joins The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi on Friday October 11, to weigh in on why so many people are not paying for Metro bus service and how the agency is adapting, as well as the return to self-driving trains later this year.

You can join the conversation by commenting your questions below or calling in during the live show at (800)-433-8850. https://wamu.org/show/the-politics-hour/

10/09/2024

Getting professional help in a mental health crisis can be life-saving, but it can also be a long and stressful process. In D.C., sometimes calls can lead to unwanted outcomes, like police involvement or involuntary hospitalization. Local experts weigh in on how to prepare for these situations and help you or your loved one feel safe when getting mental health care.

Getting professional help in a mental health crisis is crucial and potentially life-saving. But sometimes it can have unwanted outcomes, like involuntary hospitalization.

10/09/2024

Earlier today, a group of German journalists from the RIAS Berlin program visited WAMU for a tour led by Morning Edition local host Esther Ciammachilli, where they got to get a behind-the-scenes look at American public broadcasting. They even were able to stop by studio 1B and see a live pitch break with host Geri Mitchell and co-host Margaret Barthel!

If you want to find out more about our Fall Membership Campaign, visit our website at https://donate.wamu.org/page/73248/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=facebook&supporter.appealCode=AMO2410S0000

10/08/2024

Thousands of members of the Jewish community from around the D.C. region gathered at the Anthem Monday evening to mourn those lost on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and took 250 as hostages.

Of those hostages, more than 100 are still unaccounted for, according to the Israeli government.

In response, Israel launched a war against Hamas that has killed at least 41,000 Palestinians – including 16,500 children – and wounded another 97,300, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The staggering death toll and devastation of the region has sparked global outrage, and there are mounting fears the conflict will escalate into a broader war in the Middle East.

Thousands gathered at the Anthem for an evening of music and prayer. Speakers called for the safe return of hostages in Gaza, more than 100 of whom remain unaccounted for.

10/08/2024

Thousands from the Jewish community gathered at the Anthem Monday night for an evening of music and prayer. They also called for the safe return of hostages in Gaza, more than 100 of whom remain unaccounted for.

Thousands gathered at the Anthem for an evening of music and prayer. Speakers called for the safe return of hostages in Gaza, more than 100 of whom remain unaccounted for.

10/07/2024

🎉 We’re halfway there, and we still need your help to keep the momentum going! 🚀 If it’s been a while since you’ve donated, now is the perfect time to rejoin the WAMU community and support the trusted journalism you count on every day.

🌟 Your support today builds a stronger future for public radio! 🌟

Let’s keep this party going: https://donate.wamu.org/page/73248/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=facebook&supporter.appealCode=AMO2410S0000

10/07/2024

Monday will mark one year since the Hamas attacks on Israel left over 1,200 people dead and 251 people taken hostage.

In the year since the October 7th attack, over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza through Israel’s military response, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Rabbi Amy Schwartzman knows firsthand how difficult it can be to connect those devastating numbers to individuals.

As Senior Rabbi at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, she speaks daily with her congregants about loved ones in Israel, and about their complicated feelings about the war.
“There are a lot of young people in particular who feel the values of social justice that we taught them are irreconcilable with the civilian Palestinian suffering they witness,” she told WAMU’s Esther Ciammachilli in an interview this week.

Rabbi Schwartzman feels a personal responsibility to ensure the young people in her congregation can speak their mind and hold conversations with older congregants who feel protective of Israel as their historical and spiritual home.

She will be one of the featured speakers at a vigil hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington on October 7th at The Anthem. https://wamu.org/story/24/10/04/we-hold-multiple-narratives-local-rabbi-reflects-on-the-year-since-the-october-7th-attacks/

10/05/2024

D.C.’s Department of Transportation is proposing 24 hour dedicated bus lanes along Georgia Ave. The change could mean faster commutes for thousands of riders.

The bus lanes would include several routes, like the 70, which is one of the busiest in the city.

The four and half mile corridor has a history of dangerous crashes, and officials also say the changes could improve safety. DDOT is organizing a series of public engagement events to solicit feedback from the community. Information can be found on the agency's website.

10/04/2024

Dating is in the air as the seventh season of Netflix’s hit reality series — set in the D.C. area — kicked off Wednesday.

In a promotional video, the contestants referred to dating in D.C. as “absolute garbage,” “a total crapshoot” and “like expecting a five-star meal from Taco Bell.”

WAMU’s listeners aren’t particularly more optimistic — when asked for recommendations for spots to meet local singles, one of WAMU’s Instagram followers replied: “Staring into the [Lincoln Memorial] Reflecting Pool.”

For a special segment of Get Out There, we invited Michelle Jacoby, owner of DC Matchmaking and author of Never Waste Time on the Wrong Man Again, onto our airwaves to discuss dating tips and lessons she’s learned while pairing up local romance-seekers. https://wamu.org/story/24/10/03/get-out-there-love-is-blind-dc-michelle-jacoby-matchmaker/

10/04/2024

In local stories this week: The D.C. Council voted Wednesday to make changes to the city’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Plus, congressional debates heat up in Virginia, and a federal investigation into the Maryland state police department's hiring practices ends in a major settlement.

The council passed emergency legislation to remove a pandemic-era provision that allowed residents to self-certify for the program.

10/04/2024

On this week's Get Out There, a D.C. matchmaker provides tips for singles who may be a bit disillusioned by the local dating scene after watching Netflix’s new ‘Love Is Blind’ season.

A D.C. matchmaker provides tips for singles who may be a bit disillusioned by the local dating scene after watching Netflix's new 'Love Is Blind' season.

10/04/2024

The change is part of the STEER Act, passed by the D.C. Council earlier this year following a deadly crash on Rock Creek Parkway.

The STEER Act gives the AG the option to bring civil suits against drivers with large ticket fine sums.

Other STEER Act measures going into effect require anyone convicted of criminal reckless driving will have "speed governors" installed. The technology automatically limits the speed of the vehicle.

Another measure will prevent the owners of stolen vehicles from incurring traffic tickets when the car was not in their possession.

The law does NOT give D.C. the power of ticket reciprocity for tickets issued by automatic cameras, which would report those traffic violations to the driver's home state.

10/03/2024

Virginia's Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and Republican challenger Hung Cao squared off in their only scheduled debate.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and Republican opponent Hung Cao covered a range of topics, including affordability, abortion, and immigration.

10/03/2024

The candidates for Virginia's 7th congressional district spend Wednesday evening's debate attempting to portray the other as extreme -- and offering few policy specifics.

In a fiery debate, Democrat Eugine Vindman and Republican Derrick Anderson sparred on a range of issues, often attacking each other rather than answering questions.

10/03/2024

Join us Friday October 4 at noon for The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi. This week our guests include D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson and Montgomery County Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez.

You can join the conversation by commenting your questions below or calling in during the live show at (800)-433-8850.

10/03/2024

Republican Derrick Anderson and Democrat Eugene Vindman didn't agree on much in a debate Wednesday night. The two men are running in Virginia's 7th congressional district, a close race.

In a fiery debate, Democrat Eugine Vindman and Republican Derrick Anderson sparred on a range of issues, often attacking each other rather than answering questions.

10/02/2024

🎉 Get ready to celebrate with us! WAMU’s fundraising campaign is kicking off soon, and we can’t wait to have you join the party!

🗓️ Mark your calendars for October 5th. Your support helps us bring trusted, independent journalism to the DC community. Stay tuned for more updates and get excited for what’s to come! ✨

https://donate.wamu.org/page/73248/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=facebook&supporter.appealCode=AMO2410S0000

10/02/2024

For the past decade, residents and visitors in the nation’s capital have been able to buy ma*****na from “gifting shops” all over the city.

Over the summer, D.C. Council has established new guidelines for buying and selling ma*****na in D.C., requiring gifting shops to be properly licensed medical ma*****na dispensaries.

Several illegal shops were found selling cannabis laced with methamphetamines, as well as psylocibin, DMT and o***m, according to ABCA Director Peter Moosally.

Illegal cannabis shops have been caught selling DMT, mushrooms and other drugs.