Smart people are everywhere, and so are people who have common sense. That’s why we’re looking high and low to bring readers the highlights of the week just post. Got a suggestion? Send it to [email protected].
Finally found
1| Boy found after missing for 8 years
The details: A Texas boy who disappeared in 2004 at the age of 8 months has been found. Police arrested his former baby sitter on kidnapping charges and now 8-year-old Miguel Morin will soon be reunited with his mother. Police closed the missing-person case in 2006, but found Morin when someone notified child welfare investigators of neglect.
Inmate No. 40892-424
2| Blagojevich enters prison
The details: After a shameful political career that included the shaking down of a children’s hospital and attempted sale of a Senate seat, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich entered a federal prison in Colorado on Thursday. Blagojevich, the self-promoting paragon of abuse of power, was convicted on 17 counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, attempted extortion and soliciting bribes.
Liberals cutting pensions too
3| New York OKs public pension reform
The details: New York state lawmakers approved pension reforms supported by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The bill will save an estimated $80 billion over 30 years, largely by reducing benefits for newly hired state and local public workers.
Just say no to pink ooze
4| Public schools can choose to ban beef filler
The details: The Agriculture Department announced that, starting next fall, public schools can avoid ground beef filler known as “pink slime” in their school lunch problem. Public awareness of the issue skyrocketed after increasing discussion of the issue exploded on social media.
Lock and load
5| Environmentalist lawsuit to block wolf hunting fails
The details: A federal appeals court on Wednesday rejected a lawsuit from conservation groups that want to block wolf hunting and trapping, after Congress passed legislation to remove them from the endangered species list. Wolf populations have exploded in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana under federal protection.
More jobs in Virginia
6| Unemployment lowest in 3 years
The details: Virginia’s 5.8 percent unemployment is 1.4 percent lower than it was during Gov. Bob McDonnell’s first month in office, and far below the national rate of 8.3 percent. McDonnell credits policies that favor economic incentives and foreign trade.
It took six years, but …
7| Metro brakes finally fixed
The details: Metro mechanics put in 2,000 hours of overtime to replace nearly all the brakes on 5000-series rail cars after a brake part fell off in December, stranding 300 passengers underground. Metro knew about the brake problem in 2006.
Thieves nabbed
8| D.C. stores raided
The details: District police raided a dozen small shops and arrested 16 people they say were trafficking in stolen goods, including electronics, baby formula and over-the-counter drugs they obtained from snatch-and-grab attacks and auto break-ins.
E-ZPass deal
9| Cheaper in Virginia
The details: Virginia’s Department of Transportation is now offering E-ZPass transponders at select retail locations for $35, with the full amount available to pay tolls. Maryland charges $9 for a transponder in addition to a monthly $1.50 maintenance fee.
Red-top meters
10| Parking for handicapped
The details: The District is rushing to install 1,100 red-topped parking meters where disabled drivers can park at reduced rates after advocates complained the city’s previous efforts were insufficient. By mid-April, 9 percent of all D.C. parking meters will be reserved for the handicapped.
