Morning Roundup: Deadliest Crash in Metro History

Good morning, Washington. The city is reeling from yesterday's horrific Metro crash at Fort Totten. Nine people had been reported to have died in the collision, but Mayor Adrian Fenty only confirmed seven people dead this morning, and news outlets have since begun reporting the smaller number. Not much other new information was available from this morning's press conference. D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier did say that the city has not yet begun to notify the next of kin of those who died, as they are still determining identities in some cases. The only victim who has been identified so far is Jeanice McMillan, 42, of Springfield, the Metrorail operator who died in the crash.

NTSB spokesperson Debbie Hersman said this morning that the struck train should have nine data recorders on it, as it was composed mostly of newer model rail cars, but they do not expect to get good data from the striking train, as it was made up of older, 1000-series cars.

We'll be updating with the latest on the crash investigation and aftermath. In the meantime, let's look at this morning's other headlines.

D.C. Facing $340 Million Budget Shortfall Over Two Years: The Post's Tim Craig reports on the new budget shortfall numbers from D.C. Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi: the District now faces a $190 million deficit in the current fiscal year, and a $150 million gap in the 2010 budget proposal that the D.C. Council approved last month. The news means the budget process may still yet see revisions, and the city will likely have to tap into its reserve funds at this point.

Fenty Uses Line-Item Veto: Speaking of the budget process, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty used his line-item veto for the first time yesterday, the Examiner reports. Fenty removed the proposed conversion of the State Board of Education into an independent agency from the adopted fiscal 2010 budget. The Council will need nine votes to override Fenty’s veto.

Briefly Noted: Fenty, Graham defend Summer Jobs program ... Soldier from Montgomery, Md. killed in Afghanistan ... Robberies spike in Metrorail system ... Shooting last night in Park View.

This Day in DCist: Last year, Len Downie retired from the Washington Post and plans for a new soccer stadium at Poplar Point began falling apart.