Monopoly may be coming early to the budding satellite radio industry as XM Radio and Sirius attempt a marriage of convenience (with just a hint of desperation). A joint statement from the companies calls the move an "all-stock merger of equals." Word on the street is that the companies would likely keep much of their offices both in New York (Sirius) and Washington (XM), but certainly some layoffs and job consolidation would follow. There have been little specific details so far regarding programming changes, job cuts or even a new name. more ›

Good morning, Washington. It's time for us to let you in on a secret: some of us start work on these roundups the night before they go online. In fact, as we write this we're watching FOX5's 10PM storm coverage — and we're afraid that, at the moment, the weather prognosis does not look good. Judging solely by WTTG's graphics packages and the number of personnel on their Snow Patrol, we're facing a bona fide snowpocalypse. For those lucky few who have hoarded enough bread, milk and toilet paper to (briefly) forestall an icy demise: here's your morning roundup.

Storm Aftermath: Last night's storm dumped a whopping — well, we don't actually know how much snow came down. It certainly looks like less than an inch here in Northwest, but the local news outlets seem to be too embarassed by their doomsaying to fess up about the actual amount. Nevertheless, an icy coating may mean problems for your morning commute. WMATA crews worked through the night to make sure Metro runs smoothly, but it does look like the roads are slippery. Be careful out there. And, if you're still hoping that you might not have to venture out at all, NBC4 has a list of area closings here — most noteworthy is the federal government's two hour delay/unscheduled leave policy. Finally, all weatherphiles should be sure to check out CapitalWeather's liveblogging of the storm.

WMATA Board Considers Firing Chief Executive: Today's Post reports that members of the transit agency's board of directors are quietly considering removing CEO Richard White from his position. White has been with the agency since 1996, but his image has recently been hurt by a number of small scandals — and some mismanagement of funds large enough to attract Congressional attention. The board had asked to see improvement; apparently they haven't seen enough. In some good news (for riders, anyway), White has just announced his 2007 spending plan — and it doesn't include fare hikes.

Two Women Charged With Soliciting Assassins: In a truly bizarre story, two different Fairfax women — both named April — have been charged with trying to hire someone to kill their respective boyfriends. In both cases the solicitor's inquiries were answered by undercover police. The incidents aren't related, but there are even more similarities. The Post has all of the weird details.

Briefly Noted: Montgomery Blair H.S. student arrested for arson... Man spoiling for fight with city over nativity scene... Woman assaulted on way home from Metro... Sex Ed curriculum in Montgomery County sparks controversy...

Picture posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user erin m

Well, DCist has gone and done it now. In an arbitrary post last week discussing the American Political Science Association's annual meeting in the District, former DCist food connoisseur Kanishka offered $100 to any reader who could catch Cornel West scarfing down a jumbo slice. Safe bet, right? I mean, who would have thought that Cornel West would actually scarf down, of all things, a jumbo slice? Well, one reader managed just that. Above, Cathy... more ›

Sounds Lovely: While WMATA's metrorail system is clearly more modern than the New York subway, it is still vulnerable to a complete control system meltdown as has been seen in New York this week. If control systems were paralyzed, like they have been on parts of the Eighth Avenue Line in Manhattan (due to a homeless person starting a fire to stay warm adjacent to a systems relay room), metrorail would have to revert to... more ›

WMATA Chief Executive Richard White said that criticism that has been dished out about the failings of the metrorail system has been warranted and that the agency is reviewing past decisions that, as the Post's lede said "'don't make much sense' or have 'misfired badly.'" more ›