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🌱 Patch AM: D.C. mother sues after autistic son’s alleged hot-sauce assault.

Coming up: No Apologies: Paintings by Cynthia Angeles on the Washington Patch calendar

Wednesday September 16th Patch AM (Michelle G.)

Hi Washington! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • D.C. mother sues after autistic son's alleged hot-sauce assault.
  • How common are dangerous close calls on D.C.-area school buses?
  • Could new tech laws prevent another deadly crash over D.C.?

Also on today's calendar: No Apologies: Paintings by Cynthia Angeles and 9 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Michelle G.!

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 87 and low of 65 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Hot with some sun, temps: high: 90, low: 71.
  • Friday: Humid with a thunderstorm, with a high of 85 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mother sues DC and former aide for $1.5M over autistic son's assault with hot sauce (wusa9.com) — A Southeast D.C. mother is suing the District and a former teacher's aide for $1.5 million after her nonverbal autistic son was allegedly assaulted with hot sauce at JC Nalle Elementary. The aide completed a diversion program and saw the assault charge dropped, but the family is now pursuing civil claims for battery, emotional distress, and disability discrimination.
   

2. Nearly half of kids riding school bus have had close call with dangerous driver: Survey (fox5dc.com) — Many school districts in the Washington, D.C. area already use automated stop-arm cameras to catch drivers who illegally pass school buses, a step most parents nationwide say they support. A new national survey found nearly half of kids riding buses have had close calls with dangerous drivers, and more than half of parents think offenders don't expect to be caught.
   

3. Families push Congress to pass ROTOR Act after deadly crash (azfamily.com) — Families of those killed in the midair collision above Washington, D.C., are again pressing Congress to pass the ROTOR Act, which would require advanced collision-warning technology on civilian and military aircraft. They argue the system could have given Flight 5342 crucial extra seconds and are targeting the post-election lame-duck session while a related lawsuit against American Airlines moves toward a 2027 trial.
   

4. Families of the 67 who died in DC midair collision want reforms to prevent next tragedy (wjla.com) — Families of victims from last year's deadly midair collision over Washington, D.C., are back at the Capitol pressing Congress and federal regulators to adopt stronger aviation safety rules. They're urging passage of stalled reforms, including better collision-avoidance technology and stricter helicopter routes around Reagan National, warning that fading urgency in Washington could leave D.C.-area skies vulnerable to another tragedy.
   

5. First Coast widows rally in Washington urging changes to Camp Lejeune Justice Act (firstcoastnews.com) — Two First Coast widows spent this week in Washington, D.C., rallying and meeting with lawmakers to push for changes to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. They're backing bipartisan bills to speed up claims, expand where cases can be heard, and cap attorney fees, arguing that sick veterans and grieving families are still waiting too long for promised compensation.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The ocean never asks
    why you are tired. It does not question the weight you carry or how many nights you had to survive alone. It simply meets you at the edge of the… (Nextdoor East Chevy Chase)
  • Talk to me, Goose ✈️
    Goose man is about 1 year old, fully vaxxed, neutered, and FELV/FIV negative and he feels the need…the need for speed! But only when he gets the… (Nextdoor SE Ballpark - Navy Yard)
  • Allied Universal Security Services posted a job opening for Quality Control Manager in Washington. Apply here.
  • Georgetown University posted a job opening for Lombardi CTO Training, Education, and Quality Control Manager in Washington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Washington here.

Ok Washington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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