Happy Halloween, Washington! We love this holiday. It's an excellent excuse to gorge on candy, dress up like an idiot and generally have a spookily good time. Besides, it's the last celebration before the holidays begin to feel like thinly-veiled attempts to pretend that it isn't actually cold and awful outside. Steele Gets Some Democrats' Endorsement: It appears that some African-American Democrats in Maryland are unhappy with their party's nominee for Senate — and have decided to make their displeasure known now, endorsing Republican Michael Steele with only a week left before the election. the Post reports that the group, led by former P.G. County Executive Wayne Curry, is frustrated by their party's failure to support black candidates. Perhaps this is why the Washington Times is quoting Steele as saying that he wished a recent appearance on Meet The Press with his opponent, Ben Cardin, had included some discussion of matters of race (the two did discuss affirmative action during the appearance). Yet More Md. Ballot Mishaps: Oh Maryland, Maryland, Maryland. Come on, guys. This is starting to get ridiculous. Missing keycards, rebooting machines, late ballot deliveries — it's been a chaotic election season in the Old Line State. And yes, now there's another embarrassing chapter: as the Examiner notes, Governor Ehrlich and his running mate Kristen Cox made a point of voting by absentee ballot — they say it was to encourage concerned voters to avoid the state's new Diebold voting machines, while opponents say it was a gambit to suppress turnout. Whatever the reason for the absentee advocacy, it seems to be working. Well, sort of. When Cox tried to vote, it didn't go very well: she was given a different person's ballot. Kidnapping Suspect Arrested: It may be Halloween, but we're glad to hear that the city just got a little bit less actually-scary: the Post reports that a suspect has been arrested in connection with a series of abductions around the city. The victims were detained by a man impersonating a police officer, who then forced them to withdraw money from ATMs before releasing them. Caliss Johnson was arrested after being identified by virtue of an ATM surveillance photo (and his considerable girth). Briefly Noted: Montgomery County trying to reduce number of mobile classrooms... Steele campaign benefits from push-polling, denies involvement... Purple line not delayed after all... VCU lit mag to publish new Plath poem... Family establishes reward fund for murdered Arlington veteran... Area airport wait times increasing... Who to blame for this morning's commute... This Day In DCist: One year ago we wallowed in our local teams' crapulence and talked about a nasty feud among neighbors. Two years ago we were excited about WMATA's new website. Image by Flickr user ewedistrict, used under a Creative Commons Sharealike license more ›

Good morning, Washington. Got Halloween plans? Personally, I'm still trying to come up with a decent last-minute costume idea. My party deadline isn't until tomorrow, fortunately. For those who've got costume parties lined up for tonight, I hope you didn't make any part of your outfit from papier mache — it looks like it's going to be a soggy evening. Jemal Acquitted Of Most Charges: The verdict is in, and prominent District developer Douglas Jemal... more ›

Good morning, Washington, and our apologies to the residents of Montgomery County — we hate to be the bearers of bad news. But it looks like speed cameras will be coming to your fair municipality. The general assembly has overridden Governor Ehrlich's second veto, putting the wheels in motion for a statewide program. Montgomery County will be the lucky recipient of the first pilot cameras. Gallaudet Still A Mess: Protests; counter-protests; defiant non-resignations. And now... more ›

Politically, Maryland may be more blue than purple. However, when it comes to transit this election season, our neighbors to the north are turning a lovely shade of lavender. The Washington Post reports today that the Purple Line, the proposed transit link between New Carrollton and Bethesda, has emerged as a key issue in the Maryland gubernatorial race. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, the Democratic candidate for governor, described the project as one of his top... more ›

The Purple Line transit link between New Carrollton and Bethesda has been the subject of quite a few shenanigans lately. Last Friday, The Washington Post ran an editorial arguing that now that plans for the Intercounty Connector are finalized, the Purple Line must be the next priority. The following Thursday, we questioned just how committed to the Purple Line Maryland and the Ehrlich administration really are. However, neither piece offered quite as much insight into... more ›

Good Morning, Washington. Looks like it's going to be a beautiful, if a tad hot, day. Highs should be up around 90, with the humidity and rain we've all been hearing about holding off at least until tomorrow. Initiative for Slots Off Ballot: For those of you who have been waiting for electronic slots to hit D.C., looks like you'll be waiting a bit longer. WTOP tells us that the PAC that has been working... more ›

Good morning, D.C. Looks like it's going to be another beautiful day. We can't resist — we're ducking out of work, heading into the lovely weather and spending the morning at a net neutrality seminar. Ah, summer livin'. Ehrlich Unhappy With Rate Relief Plan: Remember the looming electricity rate hike crisis in Maryland? The one that's been looming since March? Yeah, that one. It's still not over. According to the Post, Maryland legislators have put... more ›

Good morning D.C., and happy Earthday Eve (if that's a thing). It looks like Mother Nature will be providing plenty of mud in which to celebrate the observance: the weekend forecast is for rain, rain and more rain. Md. Gets Electricity Rate Relief: WTOP reports that Governor Ehrlich has reached an agreement with Baltimore Gas & Electric to forestall the 72% rate hikes that had been looming for Maryland utility consumers. Customers opting into the... more ›

Good morning, Washington, and happy St. Patrick's Day. One day into the tournament, we hope your NCAA bracket is shaping up well. We know it is for the GW Colonials — they eked out a three-point win over UNC Wilmington in overtime last night. Their next game will be against Duke at 1:10 on Saturday. Maryland Mulls Response To Utility Rate Hikes: Last week we discussed the steep electricity rate increase that will likely face... more ›

Good morning, Washington. We imagine that by now you may have already heard about the fallout over 84 year-old Maryland Comptroller William Schaeffer's inappropriate remarks to one of Governor Ehrlich's female staffers. Schaeffer was initially unapologetic, but Ehrlich says that he later expressed regret — although it's not clear whether he has yet apologized to the young woman in question. The Post covers the issue here; ABC 7 has video of the incident here. Spotsylvania... more ›

Good morning, Washington. We hope you're reading this from the comfort of your toasty home, sipping some coffee and wriggling your toes in slippers shaped like some ridiculous sort of animal. If this is in fact the case, let us offer a word of advice: STAY INSIDE. Today's high temperature is going to be 43 degrees. 43! It's still November — we're just not prepared to grapple with highs of 43 yet. Call your boss and say you'll be in late. Like, April-late.

Wal-Mart Lobbies Maryland Legislators: The retail giant is worried about legislation pending in Annapolis that would force it to spend more money on its workers' healthcare. The house that Sam built has been in the news recently both for a leaked memo detailing its plans to minimize healthcare costs by only hiring healthy workers, and for the anti-WM documentary that premiered in D.C. on Tuesday. The Post reports that the company is countering these threats by courting Maryland lawmakers, and in particular the legislature's African-American representatives. The bill in question was passed in April but vetoed by Governor Ehrlich. That veto may be overridden in January.

Animal Abuse On Rise: Maybe we're just getting old, but these days it really does seem like the proverbial kids are out of control. Juveniles are being blamed by many for the minor crime wave that parts of the city have been experiencing. Now NBC4 reports that youths are also responsible for a recent spate of cruelty toward animals (please be aware that the preceding link contains descriptions of the offending acts). This news comes on the heels of confirmation that teenagers were responsible for most of PG County's carjackings.

ICC Debate Continues: The Washington Times' Metro section takes a break from its usual cavalcade of xenophobia to report on the latest goings-on in the world of ICC advocacy. The news? Well, there isn't any. As before, some think the road will improve traffic; others don't. Some think the ICC will bring jobs; others say it won't. And some think the environment will be damaged by the road, while others disagree. It seems that the process is mostly moving forward under its own inertia at this point. The next milestone for the project is the state's completion of an environmental impact statement. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.

Council Likes Stadium Design: D.C. Council members have been given a peek at the results of the baseball stadium design process, and they liked what they saw. The proposed design, by architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum Sport uses lots of steel, stone and glass to achieve a modern, semi-transparent look. It appears that the only councilmember with reservations about the design is Jack Evans, who thinks a brick stadium may be cheaper — and look better. Although the initial response was positive, no final decision has yet been made. The design drawings won't be released to the public for another few weeks, but the Post has a detailed written description of the stadium plan.

Briefly Noted: Man hit by train at Columbia Heights Metro...
Post profiles controversial Judge Palumbo...
Md. teen's death resulted from blunt trauma...
Police continue to investigate Jefferson Memorial stabbing...
WMATA approves Vienna Metro land deal...

Image posted to DCist Photos by ambimb

Good morning, Washington. Today will bring a slight break in humidity, giving a preview of the weekend's promised relief from the unpleasant heat. But for some folks whose trade is naturally hot and unpleasant, today's news is not as good. Not only have D.C. firefighters recently had to deal with a possible maritime arson and mysteriously cancelled health insurance, but now one of their leaders is making unfortunate headlines. Thiry-one year veteran and assistant chief of operations James B. Martin was arrested yesterday after being caught driving a DCFD vehicle while intoxicated. At his request, he has been placed on indefinite leave.

Boys Injured by Lightning: Two eleven year old boys were hurt by lightning at Camp Tockwogh, a YMCA facility on the Eastern Shore. One of the two went into cardiac arrest, but thanks to well-trained teenage staffers and a recently purchased portable defibrillator the boy was revived. Both victims transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. One was admitted in serious condition; the other boy's status is classified as critical.

Loudoun Votes to Restrict Growth: The Post reports that the county's board voted last night to enact curbs on development that would raise the required lot size for houses in the western part of the county from three acres to twenty to forty, depending on location. Opponents say the policy is a violation of property owners' rights; supporters pushed for the regulation as a means of controlling the county's rapid growth.

Briefly Noted: More area bases slated for closure... YADCPSCS (yet another D.C. public school chemical spill)... Metro may switch to fewer trains with more cars... Dulles baggage handler pleads guilty to stealing thousands of credit cards...

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