In today’s rundown: The local unemployment rate falls. | Montgomery County finalizes its budget. | The D.C. soda tax dies.

— Unemployment rates fell in a majority of states, including Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia last month, according to numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics earlier today.  Despite the improvements, D.C.’s 11 percent unemployment rate is still higher than the national average — 9.9 percent.  Click here for all of the data.

— The Montgomery County Council has finalized their $4.3 billion budget, which cuts overall spending and includes a plan to furlough officers and fire fighters.  Click here for budget details.

— A plan to tax sodas in D.C. has stalled.  Council member Mary Cheh, who proposed the tax, expected it to raise up to $9 million that would largely be spent on health initiatives in local schools.  Click here for more.

In today’s rundown: The local residents who attended last night’s White House state dinner.  |  A new report on poverty and deprivation in D.C.  |  A grant keeps hundreds from becoming homeless in Fairfax County.  |  Virginia community college tuition is going up.

— Last night’s White House state dinner invite list included politicians, athletes, actors and leaders of local nonprofits.  Among the attendees was Maria Gomez, founder of Mary’s Center for Maternal Child Care, a Women’s Foundation Grantee Partner.  Gomez and two other nonprofit leaders who went as First Lady Michelle Obama’s “special guests.”  Click here to read about their experience.

— The DC Fiscal Policy Institute, another Women’s Foundation Grantee Partner, has released a new report on the growing rates of poverty and deprivation in the District.  The report also explains how the city’s proposed budget for 2011 will adversely affect residents who are already in crisis mode.

— A $2.4 million federal grant has kept more than 600 Fairfax County residents from becoming homeless, according to county officials.  The stimulus grant provided rental assistance to 247 families starting in July.  Most of the money went to rental subsidies for families facing eviction.  Click here for more details.

— The cost to attend community college in Virginia just went up.  Earlier today the State Board of Community Colleges increased the tuition rate by at least $7.50 per credit hour for the 2010-2011 school year.  Click here for details.

In today’s rundown: A snapshot of what life is like for children in Northern Virginia.  | The Women’s Collective is moving to Ward 5.  | And a new video explaining how human trafficking has become a major problem in the United States.

–Voices for Virginia’s Children — a Women’s Foundation Grantee Partner — has released “A Portrait of Children in Northern Virginia 2010.”  This “first-ever snapshot” highlights demographic, economic and social trends that impact children between the ages of 0 and 18 in Northern Virginia.  Click here to read the report which highlights some of the most serious issues these children and their families face.

— After a decade of working out of Ward 1, The Women’s Collective is moving to Ward 5.  Another Women’s Foundation Grantee Partner, The Women’s Collective works with District women and girls who are affected by HIV and AIDS.  TWC will be having an open house tomorrow afternoon.  Click here for more.

— The Rebecca Project, FAIR Fund and Crittenton Foundation have joined together to produce a video about human trafficking in the United States.  Click here to watch the video which includes testimonials from two young women who were the victims of trafficking.

In today’s rundown: Small nonprofits have until tonight to file with the IRS or lose their tax-exempt status.  The D.C. area needs more foster parents who speak Spanish.  A local shelter for abuse victims is expanding.  Applications are being accepted from nonprofits for a technology award.

— Small nonprofits have until midnight to file tax forms with the IRS or lose their tax-exempt status.  According to the Washington Post the law requiring the filing, intended to increase transparency and help the IRS measure annual activity, has gone unnoticed by many of the 200,000 nonprofits in our area that have less than $25,000 in annual revenue.  Click here for more details.

— More Spanish-speaking foster parents are needed in the region due to a recent increase in the D.C. area’s Latino population.  This story from WAMU profiles a foster parent who works with Northern Virginia Family Service — a Women’s Foundation Grantee Partner — to help care for foster children who are native Spanish speakers.

— The Washington Informer reports on the expansion of My Sister’s Place, Inc.’s shelter which provides a safe place for victims of domestic violence and their children.  My Sister’s Place — a Women’s Foundation Grantee Partner — is the District’s oldest and largest nonprofit that serves domestic violence victims.  Click here for an update on the expansion.

— NPower is currently accepting applications for their Technology Innovation Award.  The two winning local nonprofits will receive an iPad or laptop, technical assistance and software.  For eligibility rules and to apply, click here.