Happy Christmas Eve, Washington. With the frenzy of last-minute shopping and travel out of the city largely complete, folks staying here for the holiday are being treated to a quieter, gentler D.C. than normal, and it turns out in more ways than one. Over the weekend the Post took a look at a recent decline in the murder rate, reporting that only nine homicides have been logged in the District in the 37 days since......

Still in the office, D.C.? Yeah, us too. We hope you're only sticking around because you don't need to travel this holiday season. If so, enjoy the empty halls, bask in the quiet, and call it a day early. If not — well, good luck on the roads and at the airport. It sounds like they're going to be predictably nasty. There Seems To Be Some Sort of Holiday Occurring: And consequently you can......

Good Morning, D.C. Remember the news we told you about back in August, about an investigation into a potential prostitution ring at D.C. firehouses? Well D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin acknowledged yesterday under fire from the D.C. Council that "sex for overtime" allegations in his department are "potentially true." The Council also expressed concern about the abnormally high rate of disciplinary action against African American firefighters in the department. African Americans were the subjects of......

Over the weekend the Post published an update to the Adams Morgan water pressure saga. Turns out firefighters did not tap into a much closer hydrant connected to a larger water main due to a false assumption about which main it was connected to. The fire department continues to point the finger at WASA, however, saying that it is nearly impossible for firefighters in the field to know which hydrants are connected to what kind......

>> D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin is reportedly fine after he was involved in what the department is calling a very minor traffic accident in Adams Morgan. [NBC4] >> Members of Shiloh Baptist Church in Shaw officially filed suit in their effort to oust current pastor Rev. Wallace Charles Smith, who they claim has mismanaged the church's assets. [FreeRide] >> Asylum Skate Shop to be replaced by unnamed fresh casual food establishment. [Penn Quarter......

As we mentioned briefly yesterday, the second fire in two years at Capitol Lounge has been found to have resulted from the same reason as the first: a cigarette, which was left burning in a trash can behind the building. Last week's fire caused about $100,000 of damage to the Lounge as well as the Trover Gift Shop next door. Now The Examiner reports that D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin is calling for a new......

It was just last week that we pondered the usual post-Fourth of July question -- what should the District do about the annual DIY firework displays that help mark America's independence? Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) may have an answer. Today Graham is introducing legislation that would severely restrict the use of fireworks and prohibit their sale. According to a press release from Graham's office, "The bill requires a permit for the display of......

Good morning, Washington. It's hard to believe that Queen Elizabeth's visit is already over — to be honest, we found it a bit disappointing. Sure, it was fun to have President Bush embarrass himself in front of her. And yes, we were as fascinated as anyone to read about precisely what she ate at Monday's state dinner. Still, we can't help feeling like this royal visit was less hilarious than it could have been.......

Well, D.C. we had a nice weekend together, didn't we? Perhaps we ran into you at the hugely successful opening of the inaugural DCist Exposed photography show on Friday, or we might have crossed paths out walking the dog in the fantastic spring weather. Or maybe it was just that extra hour of evening light created by Daylight Savings. In any case, it was good to see you. But now, it's time for coffee and......

As mentioned in the Morning Roundup and widely reported in today’s Post and Examiner, Mayor Adrian Fenty announced today his selection of Dennis Rubin to take over the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. Rubin resigned from his post as Atlanta's Fire Chief on Monday, effective April 13. Once approved by the City Council, Rubin takes over a department that has had its share of issues, from Chief Ronnie Few’s résumé embellishment to the enormous......

Well, did the last 24 hours of weather forecasts and warnings succeed in scaring you into a bunker to pray for your immortal souls? Even before a single flake of death appeared, many suburban schools scrapped the day in fear of Snowpocalypse: Episode Three. Various forecasters predict 1-3 inches for the District and even more in areas West. As for DCist, we'll fan out through the city to bring you complete coverage, which, like the......