Good morning, Washington. It's almost October, but in many ways it still seems like summer. For one thing, it'll be ninety degrees today. For another, there's news of Michael Vick's worsening legal situation. Yesterday Virginia indicted him and three others on dogfighting charges. Of course, we all knew that was coming sooner or later — less expected was word that a Canadian bank is suing Vick for defaulting on a $2.3 million loan. Potential... more ›

Good morning, Washington. With the holiday behind us and temperatures closing in on 90, it now feels solidly like summer, huh? Well, we're glad to have the warm weather. What we're not as glad about is the spike in crime that usually accompanies it. After yesterday's relentlessly depressing conversation about race, gentrification and crime, we're kind of wishing for snow simply to stave off the bitter comment threads that a few bored hooligans can spawn.... more ›

>> While half the DCict staff was still buzzing from this weekend's Dismemberment Plan shows, stereogum chatted with front-man Travis Morrison about his day job as "lead JavaScript programmer for advertisements for the Washington Post website." All of a sudden the Post seems so much cooler. Any other semi-retired rock gods looking for jobs at a D.C. Web site? We can offer you cookies and a handful of DCist temporary tatoos! >> Cops in... more ›

Though he hasn't yet officially conceded, the WaPo is reporting this morning that Sen. George Allen is "realistic" about the outcome of the Virginia election after the Associated Press called the election for his opponent, Jim Webb, last night. With nearly 100 percent of the votes counted in the state, Webb continued to lead by approximately 7,300 votes. He's even begun staffing already, and the phones at his headquarters are being answered, "Hello, Senator-elect Webb's... more ›

News today has it that the U.S. Capitol Police seemed to have forgotten about the First Amendment on Tuesday night, when they arrested anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan and Beverly Young, the wife of a Republican representative, at the State of the Union address for wearing "expressive t-shirts." Ironically, Young's shirt was pro-military: "Support the Troops -- Defending Our Freedom." Capitol Police Terrance Gainer issued an apology and dropped the charges against the two. District Claims... more ›

So, The United States is preparing to develop methods for generating fuel from switch grass. I don't know what switch grass is, but my gut tells me it's a lot like brush, and Bush stands to make a killing off this whole arrangement. There is a Better Way: So, Washington was host once more to the State of the Union. We continue to marvel at the fact that once a year, at a predictable time... more ›

MONDAY Counterprogramming this week’s State of the Union Address will be activist Cindy Sheehan, who will ostensibly be discussing her book Not One More Mother’s Child tonight at All Souls’ Church tonight at 7pm. For anyone who’s either been hiding under a rock this past year or who hasn’t yet experienced the pleasure of being clouted in the forehead with a ball peen hammer by a member of the Free Republic, this reading is a... more ›

It's a restaurant, bar, bookstore and performance space, brought to you by Andy Shallal, owner of Luna Grill and Diner and Mimi's American Bistro. It would seem that such an ambitious project would have to fall flat on its face, but in the month since its opening, Busboys and Poets is not only packed, it's likable. more ›

Anti-war protestor Cindy Sheehan and a number of protestors has been arrested at the White House. The AP reports that Sheehan and over 50 other supporters were arrested earlier today for demonstrating without a permit, a misdemeanor. Police said they will be moved to an offsite location for processing and will be issued tickets and released in several hours. The Post also has a short story up on her arrest. We thought it was interesting... more ›

Don't get used to those decreasing gas prices just yet -- Hurricane Rita's tear through the Gulf of Mexico and into Texas may well set off another round of jumps that may put Hurricane Katrina's $3 a gallon to shame. News reports find that Rita -- which has already forced refineries in the Galveston, Texas area to shut down -- could push gas prices beyond the $5 mark nationally, meaning that the District, one of the most expensive gas markets in the country, may see even more dramatic rises. And given the additional crowding on Metro that current gas prices have caused, DCist can only think that now is probably a good time to invest in good running shoes, rollerblades, or a bicycle. more ›

We have all followed the increasingly depressing news from the devastated Gulf Coast, watching as parts of New Orleans slowly disappeared under the slowly rising flood waters. News now has it that New Orleans, a city of 485,000, is to be fully evacuated and remain empty for as long as four months as federal and state officials struggle to repair levees and suck water out of the bowl-shaped city. DCist can only ponder the toll... more ›

Editor's Note: Long before Cindy Sheehan captured the media's attention by setting up camp outside President George W. Bush's ranch in Crawford, Tx. and demanding a meeting with him, a woman braved weather and a generation of curious onlookers to push her cause, just feet away from the White House. DCist's resident interviewer Jeff Simmermon took to the streets to find out who this woman is and what she is doing there. more ›