Travelers wanting to fly nonstop between the D.C. area and San Francisco must currently trek out to Dulles. But that's changing in May when United introduces the first nonstop flight between Reagan and SFO. more ›

Good morning, Washington. DCist heard from a tipster Thursday night that "several hundred" people were planning to converge on McPherson Square Saturday morning for a sister protest to New York’s "Occupy Wall Street." NBC Washington reports that at the height of participation Saturday, the group called "Occupy DC" amounted to about 40 to 50 people whose protests were often drowned out by a women’s percussion practice across the square. more ›

Maryland and Virginia health officials have released more information regarding the possible measles exposure to travelers moving through Reagan National Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The first may have occurred on Feb. 20 at Dulles Airport in the International Arrivals and Baggage Claim level of the main terminal from 3:15 to 7:15 p.m. Authorities have also confirmed that the infected traveler then traveled through BWI airport on a 7 p.m. flight two days later. In addition to having contacted passengers on the flights, officials ask those in the area who develop symptoms to contact their doctors. more ›

Passengers traveling though Dulles International Airport last Tuesday may have been exposed to the measles virus, according to the CDC. The scare comes after a 27-year-old woman flying from the United Kingdom to airports in D.C., Denver and Albuquerque tested positive for the virus. The CDC is currently in the in the process of tracking down anyone at risk of exposure and has provided local officials with information to begin tracing passengers on those flights. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has already released an alert for travelers and workers in concourse C of Denver International Airport to be on the look out for early symptoms, such as the tell-tale rash, which can take up to 18 days to develop. Expect similar warnings, beyond those on the same passenger plane, for those having traveled through Dulles this past week. A similar warning was for those traveling through Reagan National Airport last October. more ›

It hasn't been lost on me that on a miserable day like today, traveling to Iceland probably ranks well below "finding a space heater" and "popping a few xanax" on our to-do lists. On the other hand, curling up with a snow bunny or taming a Nordic viking in a volcanic hot spring sounds pretty alluring right about now -- unless CSPAN and salting the sidewalks is your thing anyway. more ›

>> Both the White House Christmas Tree and the Capitol Christmas Tree arrived in Washington today. >> D.C. fire officials are warning people not to overload electrical circuits in their homes this holiday season in the wake of a fatal garage fire over the weekend. [WTOP] >> Vice President Dick Cheney experienced an irregular heartbeat Monday and will be heading to George Washington University Hospital to have it checked out -- in case you... more ›

>> "Michael Vick agreed Monday to plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, a deal that leaves the Atlanta Falcons quarterback facing up to 18 months in prison and puts his NFL career in jeopardy." [AP via WTOP] >> Rep. Robert Filner (D-Calif.) was charged with assault and battery following an incident at Dulles International Airport Sunday night. [WJLA] >> Taxi GPS doesn't eliminate fare zone confusion. [Free Ride] >> "Four years after a... more ›

>> "The Smithsonian Institution today replaced Gary M. Beer as chief executive of the museum complex's embattled business unit after an inspector general's report found that he had abused his institution-issued credit card and billed $95,000 in expenditures that were unauthorized or lacked evidence of a business purpose." [WaPo] >> Video of Marion Barry getting measured for his wax statue at the new Madame Tussauds wax museum. [Reliable Source] >> Some Orange Red line... more ›

Welcome back to work, Washington. This week promises not only to feel longer than normal thanks to its coming on the heels of a holiday, but also hot enough that you might want to consider setting up an ad-hoc shower in your office, as there's little chance you'll get there without breaking into a sweat first. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has issued a Code Orange alert because of the heat wave, and... more ›

The main air traffic control tower at Washington Dulles International Airport was evacuated just after 10 a.m. this morning after fumes from a nearby construction site made some people working in the tower feel ill. The WaPo reports that two controllers and one supervisor were transported to a hospital, but their shifts were quickly filled by back-up staff and the evacuation caused no significant delays -- an average of just about 27 minutes for delays... more ›

Good morning, Washington. We've been hearing some excellent reports from the frontlines of the celebrations in Georgetown last night, after the Hoyas came back from a 10 point deficit to beat the Tar Heels 96-84. Thousands of students filled M Street in their exuberance, chanting "Hoya Saxa" at the top of their lungs. A smaller group apparently ran all the way to the White House, where the Secret Service asked them to keep it down.... more ›

At 8 a.m. on any given weekday, just around the corner from the Foggy Bottom Metro station you’ll likely spot four or five bike messengers huddled around a red Ford Econoline van. Each morning they meet with groggy eyes to rummage through wrapped packages like slightly under-enthusiastic children on Christmas morning. Brought in via Dulles International Airport, the packages are addressed to locations all over the District. This is the first run of many for these couriers. more ›

The debate now seems to be settled -- Maryland has the worst drivers out there. According to the Washington Times, last month alone Marylanders were responsible for 64 percent of the traffic violations caught on the District's traffic cameras, while D.C. residents accounted for 20 percent, Virginia 9 percent and all other states 7 percent. Of course, we are just kidding that this number may say something about Maryland's drivers. Some of them seem... more ›

Can anything make air travel a more pleasant experience? Unless it involves flying First Class and skipping airport security altogether, we're not really sure. But, the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security are sure going to try. The Post reported this morning that Dulles International Airport, along with Houston International, will be part of a pilot program to "present a warmer welcome to foreign visitors who face post-Sept. 11, 2001, security changes."... more ›

WJLA is reporting that Independence Air, the budget airline so many in the Washington area rely on for quick and affordable trips around the country, will discontinue all flights out of Dulles International Airport starting this Thursday at 7 p.m. more ›

Good morning, Washington. In a move designed to counter Virginia's proposal to allow a private company to manage the Dulles Toll Road, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority yesterday bid to take control of the corridor, including plans to develop rail service to Dulles International Airport. MWAA's interest is considered serious, given its ownership of the land on which the toll road rests, and airport officials believe that the completion of rail service to Loundon County, which is currently planned for 2015, could be achieved faster under their administration. more ›

We often flip through the Washington Times, sometimes for some comic relief, sometimes to see how the conservative newspaper views local news. In perusing its pages today, we came across a column written by Tom Knott, the Times' answer to the Post's well-known and well-liked Metro columnist Marc Fisher. Today Knott -- often known for taking some creative license with his writing -- describes a conflict between a neighborhood bar and residents who want it... more ›

Does Vienna Really Look Like That? more ›

A mid-week transit update, bringing us news on Virginia's new governor and the possible extension of the Yellow Line. Kaine Announces Support for Wider I-66 Wow. You'd think the guy would take a day off to recover from what we would hope was a late night celebrating, but Virginia Governor-elect Tim Kaine is already up and addressing one of the issues that most preoccupied the state's voters over the course of the campaign -- transportation.... more ›

Serene, isn't it? The picture at right, snapped by adrummer boy and posted to DCist photos, reminds us of how scenic dusk along the Potomac River can be. Of course, such scenic serenity can only do so much in helping one forget that today is officially the day of heat-related death -- the peak heat index is set to hit 105, air quality is ranked at orange, and the UV alert is "above normal." It's not the day for a picnic, it's not a day for a bike ride, much less it is a day to try and walk the Mall end to end. Find air-conditioning and stay inside, that's the mission. more ›

The city has in recent days been particularly crowded by troops of Boy Scouts in full uniform, as pictured by brownpau at right. Bearing merit badges celebrating everything from fishing to cinematography, agribusiness to dog care, more than 40,000 Boy Scouts from around the country arrived in the area to celebrate the 10-day National Scout Jamboree in Bowling Green, Va., near Fredricksburg. In tragic news, four adult Boy Scout leaders from Alaska were killed yesterday... more ›

They might not be chaining themselves to doors or laying across roadways, but certain Virginia residents have resorted to protest in response to a toll increase along the Dulles Toll Road in Loudoun County, Va. The toll, which increased by 25 cents yesterday, is being funneled toward paying for Virginia's share of the $4 billion Dulles Rail Project, which seeks to extend Metrorail's Orange line out to Dulles International Airport. Landowners Opposed to Wasteful Expenditures... more ›

The work week is half over, and we're now starting down the hump towards another beautiful weekend. Today, however, will be partly cloudy with a chance of rain in the morning with highs again only in the 50s. This photo of Rosslyn is by Tim Fritz. Rosslyn To Get Taller: Notoriously lifeless Rosslyn -- once referred to as a "visual belch of landscape" -- may soon be getting a 39-story building, unless D.C. buffs and... more ›

Councilmembers Irked by Reports of Money Spent on Baseball Consultants: WTOP reports that members of the D.C. Council are pressing for an investigation of the alleged use of baseball consultants by the mayor's office during the stadium-financing controversy. WTOP was the first to report on the matter through a massive Freedom of Information Act request. WTOP has also learned that the District has been paying the travel expenses of several California-based contractors. Two of them... more ›

Consumer research firm J.D. Power and Associates recently ranked Washington's Dulles International Airport third worst in customer satisfaction among medium-sized airports, reports the Post. In large part, the poor ranking stems from the interminable security lines that snake their way through the soaring Eero Saarinen-designed concourse, as any early morning or early evening traveler can attest. In addition, the newest airline on Dulles' block, Independence Air, is facing continued financial problems and recently announced it... more ›

Virginia is in the process of linking its automatic toll collection system to the EZ Pass system on the East Coast, making it easier for drivers to pass through toll gates without much delay. Like WMATA's SmarTrip card, the EZ Pass electronic transponder system allows drivers to fly through toll barriers and have fares deducted automatically from their accounts. more ›

DCist realizes that a lot of you out there probably have today off for Columbus Day. So enjoy your day off if you do have it off, if not, have a good day at work. WTOP has a fully run-down of what's open and what's closed. And WMATA is running train and bus service on modified schedules. more ›

Budget Passed: D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton tells the Post that she appreciates the House and Senate for passing D.C.'s 2005 budget without any new social riders. But D.C. officials tell the Post that a prohibition on District tax dollars being used for abortions for low-income women remains in place. more ›

We all know the Orange Line is crowded. We all hear the many complaints from Virginia commuters about inching beneath the Potomac River between Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom. The Post explains why the Orange Line is getting more crowded and can't handle more trains. And it will get worse, regardless if and when a metrorail spur is built from West Falls Church to Tyson's Corner (and eventually to Dulles International Airport.) The problem is simple.... more ›