We were alerted yesterday via the Art Law Blog that the U.S. Department of the Interior is gearing up to change motion and still photography rules on federally run lands. In an amendment to current regulations, three DOI agencies, the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Services, and the National Park Service, will be authorized to charge standardized fees to and require a permit from commercial photographers who want to shoot in an area......

This week, Phillyist saw the waters of a landmark fountain run red for a Showtime marketing stunt, the Phils pull ahead, and some serious nostalgia. They also got a chance to review an awesome tribute album, reminded folks to see the King, and appreciated their beautiful skyline. Chicagoist knows what it's like to like the Cubs. But naming your kid Wrigley Fields? At least they can breathe a little easier now that Grossman's out and......

LAist was comped front row seats by the Dodgers due to Malingering being struck by a foul ball last week, and she came back with some great photos, and earlier made fun of 4th of July on Venice Beach. But the biggest stories of the week was that the Mayor's Hot Tamale was revealed, and that a Kwik-E-Mart was erected in Burbank. Phillyist was busy doing the Fourth of July up right, exercising their......

Over five years ago the Newseum shut its doors in its Rosslyn neighborhood and started laying down bricks on Pennsylvania Avenue. The venue dedicated to the First Amendment is still on schedule for its grand opening this October, and in the meantime has been stoking its coffers with donations from news makers all over the country. This week they received their biggest gift so far, $15 million from The Annenberg Foundation. Newseum will name its......

The WaPo's Marc Fisher has the latest update on the saga of D.C. administrative law judge Roy L. Pearson and his $65 million lawsuit against local dry cleaners Custom Cleaners for misplacing his favorite pair of pants. We first told you about this story back in early April, and it has since gained worldwide attention from people who like to read about stories detailing acts of unbelievable arrogance and stupidity. Like us. Fisher brings word......

In the wake of last Monday's deadly shootings at Virgina Tech, many local college students are discussing campus security and the implications for their schools. In addition to holding a slew of vigils and showing support for their peers in Blacksburg, collegians wonder how such a tragedy could occur on American campuses and what university officials are doing to protect their students. American University administrators are taking a second look at their emergency response plan,......

On Tuesday, the American -ists will be celebrating democracy and hitting the polls, letting politicians know what they really think. It just made us wonder: if it were up to the -ist-a-verse, what would we be voting for? Londonist votes for better skincare, alternative spaces for art, cute little birds and the men who keep them, and concrete. Lots of concrete. Shanghaiist votes for one of the Bee Gees and Air Supply (it's a double-ticket),......

Call it good luck -- outgoing Ward 3 council-member Kathy Patterson might have a second shot after being defeated by colleague Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) in the race for council chair. The Examiner is reporting today that among many of the personnel changes that are expected in the coming mayoral administration of Adrian Fenty, Patterson might be taking over as deputy mayor for public safety and justice. If we couldn't have her on the council,......

Good morning, Washington. And the rain, it continues, though today looks as if it will be better than yesterday. As Maryland State Highway Administration spokesman David Buck was quoted as saying in an AP article on cnn.com, "It's going to be a challenging week." Challenging indeed -- time to order some rain boots. WaPo tells us all about the rain, and though WJLA says crews are still pumping water out of Constitution Avenue, the traffic......

Written by Andrew Wiseman The Logan Circle churches may have a new argument in the battle over parking enforcement: religious freedom. The neighborhood echoed with calls of "newcomers" and a lack of respect this Sunday as local pastors and politicians addressed at least 100 churchgoers in the latest salvo of the Logan Circle parking controversy. Behind a banner saying "Rally for Religious Freedom, Saving the Soul of the City" pastors and parishioners from Logan......

We have to give Montgomery County props -- they'll defend the First Amendment to the death, no matter how tasteless the reason. NBC 4 is reporting that county officials are ordering all security guards for the county's libraries to undergo further training on the First Amendment after a recent incident where they tried to stop a library patron from using the public computers to view some XXX-rated material. Apparently Montgomery County has no objection to......

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......

Courtesy of our media-obsessed friends over at Fishbowl DC, today we find that the Post has been struggling with commenters on their official blog, so much so that yesterday they resorted to shutting down comments altogether. In a message posted yesterday afternoon, Jim Brady, Executive Editor of washingtonpost.com, wrote: Great journalism companies need feedback from readers to stay sharp. But there are things that we said we would not allow, including personal attacks, the use......

Washington is a city known for a particular type of geek: the wonk. But this weekend, a very different breed of geek will descend on the city, as computer security enthusiasts from across the country gather at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel for three days of talks, hacking, hanging out and merry-making. It's the second annual ShmooCon, the hacker convention put together by the Shmoo Group, the highest-profile hacker collective associated with our fair city.......

After months of waiting and wondering, t-shirt enthusiasts can relax now that American Apparel (11th/F St. NW) has opened in the District. The store has been open less than two weeks, but given the clientele over the weekend we suspect some sort of blast fax was sent out in the hipster community. American Apparel began as a t-shirt company, but has since expanded its line of clothing for men, women and children to include everything......

There are probably as many causes in D.C. as there are days of the year, maybe more. Few, though, inspire both the chuckles and head-scratching that an anti-circumcision protest outside the Washington Convention Center on Monday did. DCist couldn't help but stop and ask some questions and take some pictures -- after all, how often will one see a woman whose hat asks, "Got Foreskin?" and whose shirt makes the undeniable offer, "Ask Me About......

The current anti-war movement may never reach the fevered pitch of the 1960's as long as the army remains comprised entirely of volunteers. While Americans today are protesting mostly out of personal ideology, rather than from a draft-spurred urgency, opposition remains adamant and public support for the war continues to languish. Iraq may never fully equal Vietnam in terms of public vehemence, but this weekend's ambitious rally proved to be a fine demonstration of First......

This DCist lives in an apartment building that not only has a PA system but keeps that PA system tuned to the satellite radio 80s station. We begin our day with Depeche Mode no matter what. When you think about it, you’re forced to listen to music in many places, whether it’s the staple jazz bleating from Starbucks speakers or the minstrels of the metrorail stations. But it’s one thing when “Banana” provides you a......

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Greetings from the hometown of Gerald R. Ford. While former President Ford was born in 1913 as Leslie King in Omaha, Neb., and he grew up with his adopted family in Grand Rapids, this inner suburb of Michigan's second-largest city on its welcome sign claims Mr. Ford as a hometown son because the former chief executive and his family once resided in leafy lakeside community. Now the suburb is......

More than two years after 400-plus peaceful protestors were illegally arrested in Pershing Park during anti-globalization protests, a new District law protecting public assembly and the freedom of expression has gone into effect. The First Amendment Rights and Police Practices Act of 2004, whose enactment was spearheaded by Councilwoman Kathy Patterson (D-Ward 3), was signed on Jan. 27 of this year and took force on April 13. The law declares that protestors have the First......

WTOP is reporting that D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams has not decided whether he will sign the "First Amendment Rights and Police Standards Act of 2004" which was passed by a 12-1 vote in the D.C. Council last year. Art Spitzer of the American Civil Liberties Union said, "It's not unusual for the mayor to take full time with a bill. I understand he's been ill -- maybe that stuff's been pushed back on his......

With gorgeous if slightly brisk weather, we hope you were able to get outside sometime today. In order to save precious fall weekend time, we present a concise news update: - Expect Metro delays on the Red and Blue Lines - Read the Post on yesterday's Red Line failure - You might have spotted the AIDS Walk Washington downtown earlier - "Freak dancing" has ignited a controversy in Loudoun County: administrators are requiring students......