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]. Busted
1| Blagojevich found guilty of corruption
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The details: Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, D, was found guilty Monday of trying to sell or trade President Obama’s former Senate seat along with other charges of corruption. Blagojevich faces several years in prison.
Getting serious
2| July Fourth recess cancelled
The details: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced Thursday that Congress would remain in session in order to continue deficit-reduction negotiations, instead of taking the customary recess for Independence Day.
First Amendment win
3| Supreme Court leaves parenting to parents
The details: The Supreme Court rejected a California ban on violent video game sales to children. The court ruled it a violation of First Amendment rights.
Screening success
4| Spiral CT scans help reduce lung cancer deaths
The details: Researchers from the New England Journal of Medicine reported that screening smokers and ex-smokers with spiral CT scans reduces lung cancer deaths by 20 percent without the harmful effects of cancer screening programs.
More school choice
5| Wisconsin expands voucher program
The details: Republican Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill making 65.1 percent of all Milwaukee families eligible to participate in the state’s school choice program. The new bill expands access to the program to the Racine school district.
Tops for biz
6| Virginia is No. 1
The details: Virginia knocked Texas off its pedestal as the “Top State for Business” in a CNBC report published Tuesday. Virginia scored high in the “cost of doing business” category, which takes into account the tax burden and education levels in each state.
Found funds
7| D.C. to hire more cops
The details: D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray says extra revenue expected next year will be used to bring the Metropolitan Police Department back to full force by September 2012. The District has 3,850 officers, but is losing about 15 a month to attrition.
Faster Fourth
8| VDOT opens lanes
The details: The Virginia Department of Transportation announced it will temporarily open now-closed traffic lanes on major roadways during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The lanes will be open from noon Friday to noon Tuesday.
Teen drivers
9| Fatalities drop significantly
The details: Tightened restrictions on young drivers have had their effect: Virginia and Maryland both reported a significant decrease in traffic fatalities involving teenage drivers last year. Deaths dropped 43 percent in Virginia and 25 percent in Maryland.
Benefactor
10|Private donor saves DCPS sports
The details: An anonymous donor has pledged $1.5 million to help D.C. Public Schools purchase athletic equipment and add girls sports programs that were previously on the chopping block because of a 28 percent budget cut.
