DC’s Summer Youth Employee Program reopens…

It’s that time of the year again and this time this could really come in handy for families affected by the partial government shutdown. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced that the online application process for the Districts Summer Youth Employment Program has begun. For more information see here

This program is for DC residents between the ages of 14 and 16 looking for work. Applicants selected will undergo training and work at various companies that match their career interest. The best thing about this program created by the late Mayor and City Council Member Marion Barry is that these young people will get paid while learning a skill.

Metro losing thousands because of Gov’t shutdown…

Metro’s General Manager Paul Wiedefeld says the transit agency is losing $400,000 a day in lost revenue from riders and parking fee’s. Wiedefeld wrote a letter to Senators in Virginia and Maryland explaining their hardship as a result of the now 28-day old partial government shutdown.

Wiedfeld says they have seen a 14% drop in ridership on the rails and 16% drop on bus riders. The financial crunch may lead to employee’s being laid off and cuts in services it the furlough continues into next month.

Chicago judge acquits 3 officers in Laquan McDonald murder…

Family members and the community are saddened that a Chicago judge ruled the three officers accused of lying in the police-involved shooting death of an unarmed black teen.

Laquan McDonald was 17-years-old when he was shot 16 times by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke. Yesterday the officers who were accused of trying to high information in the probe were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Today former officer Van Dyke will be sentenced for second-degree murder in the death of the unarmed African American teen. He faces anywhere from probation to 96 years in prison.

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