Photo by M.V. Jantzen

Good morning, D.C., and congratulations to all the previously married same sex couples living in the city, who as of 12:01 a.m. this morning are now enjoying the rights and privileges of marriage within the District, too. The Post’s Nikita Stewart lists some of those rights in a q&a sidebar: “inheritance, benefits for spouses of employees at private companies and in the District’s government and spousal immunity from testifying against each other.” When you look at it like that, it’s hard to imagine what people who are vehemently against extending those rather simple rights to gay couples are so upset about.

So what comes next in the fight for marriage equality in the District? As we mentioned yesterday, gay marriage opponents have been talking about launching a Prop 8-style voter initiative, but it’s possible that might not come until At-large Council member David Catania introduces his same sex marriage bill later this year. In the meantime, we’re also expecting to see a number of wedding travel packages offering trips to Connecticut or Massachusetts and back for District residents.

Red Line Riders Are Annoyed Since Crash: The Post talked with Red Line commuters about how bad Metro service has been since the fatal crash two weeks ago, and shock of all shocks, those folks were ready to complain. “… they sometimes watch three or more full trains pass before they can board one during peak travel periods.” When will the Red Line, which is operating with fewer trains and dealing with the continued single-tracking at the crash site, be able to get back to normal? WMATA can’t say until the investigation nears completion.

The Chesapeake Bay is Gross: That’s pretty much the conclusion drawn in a new report from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which the AP via WTOP writes up. “Rising water temperatures and nutrient pollution are fueling algae blooms that allow bacteria to thrive in the bay, according to scientists quoted in the report,” — bacteria that is dangerous to humans.

Briefly Noted: Homicide suspect arrested after barricading himself in a Takoma Park apartment … Intruders posing as police invade three homes in Prince George’s County … Law enforecement security drill in Silver Spring this morning … Local office vacancies are way up, driving down rents … VDOT to close 18 rest stops this month.

This Day in DCist: One year ago, we launched our DCist_Updates Twitter feed, which you should be following if you aren’t already!