Morning Roundup: Back to School Edition

Good morning, Washington, and welcome to September. After what was quite possibly the most beautiful weekend in the history of late summer weather in this city, we've finally arrived at the date many of us still associate with "back-to-school" -- the Tuesday after Labor Day. So sharpen your pencils, polish your lunchbox and make sure you have the right Trapper Keeper as we check out today's headlines.

At Least Four Weekend Killings: The Examiner reports that at least four people were killed over the Labor Day weekend, capping another violent summer that leaves the District with a total 126 homicides for the year -- nine more than last year at the same time. A 15-year-old girl has been charged with one of the murders, that of 16-year-old Airrion Johnson, which occurred at 8th and R Streets NW.

City to Appeal Gun Ban to Supreme Court: Mayor Fenty, Attorney General Linda Singer, and Police Chief Cathy Lanier will announce their plans to take their fight to keep the District's handgun ban in place to the Supreme Court at a news conference later this morning. We'll have more on the announcement later.

Old Convention Center Site Behind Schedule: Some members of the D.C. Council and the Examiner point out that the plans to redevelop the site of the old convention center downtown seems to be behind schedule. The Deputy Mayor for Economic Development's office says the project is still basically on time, with construction expected to start in November 2008 and completion dates in 2011.

Briefly Noted: Former Chief Ramsey top contender for Baltimore Police Chief job ... Investigation called for amidst allegations of fraud against teacher-training consultant group August traffic vacation officially over ... Rock Creek Parkway commuters see changes as of this morning.

This Day in DCist: In 2005 we shook our fingers at Karl Rove for trying to take advantage of a tax-break for District residents he wasn't eligible for, and wondered why it was taking so long for D.C.'s flags to be put at half-staff in honor of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Photo by krisetya