Category Archives: Local News

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is running for the US Senate

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan addresses supporters at the Maryland statehouse, Jan. 10, 2023, in Annapolis, Md. The former Maryland Governor announced Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, he will run for U.S. Senate, giving Republicans a prominent candidate who is well-positioned to run a competitive campaign for the GOP in a state that hasn’t had a Republican…Read more

Virginia Democrats are sending gun-control bills to a skeptical Gov. Youngkin

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth address before a joing session of the Virginia General Assembly, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber), File) RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Dozens of pieces of gun-related legislation that advocates say will bolster public safety are winding their way…Read more

Bill to allow referendum on northern Virginia casino advances in legislature

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Legislation that would allow a referendum on a casino in the northern Virginia suburbs of the nation’s capital cleared a hurdle Wednesday when a state Senate committee voted to advance the bill. The bill would allow Fairfax County to hold a referendum on placing a casino, as well as a…Read more

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore proposes $63.1 billion budget with no tax increases

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore submitted a $63.1 billion state spending plan Wednesday that avoids tax hikes while using a variety of budget-balancing moves to close a deficit, part of a larger strategy to advance initiatives to boost public safety, expand affordable housing and support child care. The budget plan for the…Read more

Carroll County Board of Education votes to ban sexually explicit books at CCPS

Heather Curtis – WMAL News | January 11, 2024 Add Carroll County Public Schools to the list of districts in Northern Virginia limiting access to books deemed inappropriate because of sexually explicit content. The Carroll County Board of Education voted unanimously on Wednesday to revise a policy on the selection of instructional materials to say…Read more

Missed a Show? Listen Here

WMAL Daily Show Line Up

Category Archives: Local News

Mike Van Meter: An invitation to Gerry Connolly to come out of hiding and debate me

If Congressman Gerry Connolly has such a stellar congressional record to defend, why not debate me publicly before the deserving constituents of Virginia’s 11th Congressional District? 

If he cares about the basic needs of constituents for a reduction in crime, reduction in gas prices and grocery prices, why not come and debate me and share his plan for changing the course in Fairfax County so life is somewhat sustainable for families here? 

If he is more concerned about electric school buses and EV mandates than ensuring that the U.S. is energy-independent, then come and debate me. 

If he is able to confidently stand behind his record of neglecting the fentanyl crisis, keeping the border wide open, not condemning a soft-on-crime policy in Fairfax County, and squandering taxpayer dollars on political clown shows, why not come out and debate me? 

If he is just fine with the current administration’s failed foreign policy leading us into two new wars, why not come and debate me? 

If he is comfortable explaining why he has spent far more time supporting funding packages to protect the borders of other countries long before our own national border, why not come out and debate me? 

If he truly believes that it is okay to ignore the sharp rise in antisemitism in our nation as well as stand by his statement likening the violent, anti-semitic, and hate-filled Pro-Hamas college campus riots to the anti-war peaceful protests on college campuses during the Vietnam War, why not come and debate me? 

If he is perfectly fine with the status of our schools in Fairfax County where now many children are not reading at grade level and what was once the top high school in the nation, Thomas Jefferson High School, is now taking a nosedive in ranking national rankings, why not come and debate me? Why, instead, does he continue to cozy up with the Fairfax County Public School Board which keeps ignoring a majority of concerned parents in Fairfax County? 

If he would like to stand by his record of inaction against violent crime — rape, domestic abuse, assault – by illegal immigrants against women through supporting a soft-on-crime policy and an open border, why not come and debate me? 

If he truly believes that to be pro-women means exclusively supporting the ability of adult women to terminate the lives of innocent unborn women in the womb, why not come and debate me? 

Congressman Connolly here is my open, public invitation to a debate—anytime, anywhere. Please come to defend your record and listen to the concerns of your constituents. I look forward to hearing from you and getting several debates on the schedule between June and November. Please come out of hiding, especially if you have nothing to hide. 

Mike VanMeter is a longtime resident of Fairfax County and candidate for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. 

Leading Virginia Senate Democrat deals major setback for Washington sports arena bill

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A leading Democratic Virginia legislator said Monday that proposed legislation to help pave the way for the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals to relocate to northern Virginia is dead, as far as she’s concerned. Sen. L. Louise Lucas, who holds great sway in the General Assembly as chair of…Continue Reading

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is running for the US Senate

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan addresses supporters at the Maryland statehouse, Jan. 10, 2023, in Annapolis, Md. The former Maryland Governor announced Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, he will run for U.S. Senate, giving Republicans a prominent candidate who is well-positioned to run a competitive campaign for the GOP in a state that hasn’t had a Republican…Continue Reading

Virginia Democrats are sending gun-control bills to a skeptical Gov. Youngkin

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth address before a joing session of the Virginia General Assembly, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber), File) RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Dozens of pieces of gun-related legislation that advocates say will bolster public safety are winding their way…Continue Reading

Maryland’s Gov. Moore says state has been ‘leaving too much potential on the table’ in speech

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore delivers his State of the State address in Annapolis, Md., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark) ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Gov. Wes Moore said during his second State of the State speech Wednesday that Maryland has boundless opportunities but is “leaving too much potential on the table” as he charts…Continue Reading

Bill to allow referendum on northern Virginia casino advances in legislature

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Legislation that would allow a referendum on a casino in the northern Virginia suburbs of the nation’s capital cleared a hurdle Wednesday when a state Senate committee voted to advance the bill. The bill would allow Fairfax County to hold a referendum on placing a casino, as well as a…Continue Reading

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore proposes $63.1 billion budget with no tax increases

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore submitted a $63.1 billion state spending plan Wednesday that avoids tax hikes while using a variety of budget-balancing moves to close a deficit, part of a larger strategy to advance initiatives to boost public safety, expand affordable housing and support child care. The budget plan for the…Continue Reading

Carroll County Board of Education votes to ban sexually explicit books at CCPS

Heather Curtis – WMAL News | January 11, 2024 Add Carroll County Public Schools to the list of districts in Northern Virginia limiting access to books deemed inappropriate because of sexually explicit content. The Carroll County Board of Education voted unanimously on Wednesday to revise a policy on the selection of instructional materials to say…Continue Reading

Newsletter

Local Weather

On-Air