If the District wants to build the Washington Redskins a training facility as Mayor Vince Gray has hinted, Loudoun County won't let the team's current facility go without a fight. more ›

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors representative Eugene Delgaudio is angry about the TSA pat downs that were all the rage in the media during the busy Thanksgiving travel season. But it's not because he finds the pat-downs unconstitutional, or generally objects to America going too far in its dogged attempts to prevent terrorism. Nah, Delgaudio doesn't like the new TSA security procedures because he claims they are part of a wide-scale "homosexual agenda." more ›

You have to feel sorry for the 15-year-old son of Vienna's Jenifer Joy Madden, who got outed by his mom in an op-ed in Sunday's Washington Post for having only just now learned how to ride a bus.

We couched it as another test of their mettle. After all, if these 15-year-olds could swing at objects flying 90 miles an hour and get whacked by titanium lacrosse sticks, they could walk to a bus stop and ride a few miles across town.

Awesome story from the AP's Matthew Barakat about how disgraced former New York Times reporter Jayson Blair has set up shop as a Certified Life Coach in Ashburn, Va. You can find Blair's bio on the Ashburn Psychological Services web site here, which makes no mention of his famous fabrications, but does allude to his autobiography on the subject. Blair's famous schmoozing skills apparently translate well to his ability to help people figure out their career and personal problems, according to his boss. The former reporter also has his own web site promoting his life coaching business, which he began sometime after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. more ›

Good morning, Washington. Getting going on a Monday is normally difficult enough, but we were having a few technological difficulties this morning as well, so thanks for your patience and bear with this truncated Morning Roundup while we get up to speed. Tax Scandal Triggers Reviews in Counties: Neighboring jurisdictions are apparently taking D.C.'s tax office scandal to heart and initiating big reviews of their agencies. Property tax revenues are slated to be scrutinized in... 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 ›

>> D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty said that he will "continue to stand right beside Natwar Gandhi," in the wake of the widening D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue embezzlement scandal. [WaPo] >> The Anacostia Farmers Market is closing down today after providing fresh produce to D.C. residents for nine years. [WJLA] >> Silver Spring's artificial grass will stick around for another couple of months at least. [Free Ride] >> Get ready for the Million... more ›

>> A police officer from the Seventh District is claiming his commander ordered him to give special treatment to a member of Mayor Fenty's staff who was caught talking on her cell phone while driving. [Examiner] >> "District Fire and Emergency Medical Services officials are investigating the death this morning of a recruit who became ill during training exercises yesterday." [WaPo] >> AOL plans to cut 2,000 more jobs, including 750 from their Dulles offices.... more ›

Some details are now available regarding the alleged scuffle involving Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.), who represents San Diego, at Dulles Airport on Sunday night. It seems that Filner got a little frustrated while trying to find his bag in a United Airlines baggage claim office, and according to a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police statement, then "attempted to enter an area authorized for airline employees only," and "pushed aside the employee's outstretched arm and refused... more ›

Yes, you heard it here first -- the District's pro soccer team might be moving out to Loudoun County. Or Baltimore. Anywhere but here. Why? The stadium, of course. D.C. United had long ago requested the rights to build a stadium at Poplar Point, an unused stretch of federal land along the Anacostia River. But, unlike the publicly financed $611-million baseball stadium it would sit across from, D.C. United owner Victor A. MacFarlane promised to... more ›

This week in Transit on Thursday, we pose a stunningly dramatic series of questions... Could Metro be Smartening up? Will you get hit by Virginia's new transportation fees and taxes? Is a road better than a rail? Will your Metro trip be delayed this weekend? Find out after the jump! Photo by Terecico... more ›

>> Congressional Blues Festival ends with vomiting Hill staffers. [Yeas and Nays] >> Who owns D.C.'s neighborhoods? [Frozen Tropics] >> No clues in mysterious pet deaths in Loudoun County. [WTOP] >> No child left behind by technical difficulties in Virginia public schools. [WaPo] >> Sometimes bad allergies can lead to love. [craigslist] Photo by tophermatthews... more ›

Good morning, Washington. We really wish we had some good news to share in regards to the local weather forecast, but it's starting to seem as though the more often we refresh the weather page, the worse the predictions actually get. So new rule this morning. We'll only talk about kittens and lollipops and pretty pretty ribbons until we get at least two days in a row with sunshine. Our strategy is clear: annoy the... more ›

Former Editor-in-Chief Ryan Avent begins a new weekly opinion column on neighborhood issues today. To many central city residents, the suburban enterprise can seem a quixotic one, and the suburbanite a perplexing character. Pressing ever outward, he seeks to leave behind the impedimenta of urban life, only to find that the more pristine his new surroundings, the faster and thicker does the baggage of congestion gather around him. Almost immediately he finds that his new... more ›

We know, we know. Bloggers, like all journalists, are supposed to be hyper-skeptical of everything that comes across their monitors, only acquiescing after the most rock solid of facts are in. Well, forgive our optimism and idealism, but whenever we see any forward movement at the statehouse down in Richmond, we can't help but get a little giddy. This week in transit, we look at the motivating forces of partisan democracy in Virginia, the... more ›

With all the bad news surrounding Metro recently, it is sometimes tough to remember how much we rely on it. The D.C area has the third highest transit ridership in the country, behind San Francisco and New York, and more than a third of District residents commute on Metro. Possible fare increases, tragic accidents, late, crowded trains, and other gripes are legitimate, but all transit systems have problems. When it comes down to it, Metro... more ›

Prince William County is earning itself quite a perplexing reputation. Last Friday, while most of us were recovering from turkey hangovers, the Washington Post reported that Prince William, whose representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates have been instrumental in defeating bills to help pay for Northern Virginia transit improvements, will consider a bill placing a one year moratorium on new home construction. According to county officials quoted in the Post story, the move would... more ›

Jim Webb and George Allen might be stuck in a tight battle for the Virginia Senate seat, but no such contest existed for a constitutional amendment forbidding same-sex marriage or civil unions. As the Post is reporting, the amendment — one of eight across the country — was approved by an overwhelming 57 percent of Virginia voters, somewhat proving the power of the commonwealth's social conservative tendencies. And even though Northern Virginia has tended towards... more ›

Good morning, Washington. This being the town that it is, we don't have to tell you what today is. Pull the lever, push the button or mark the scantron form — do whatever you've got to do, but make sure you make yourself heard. And for those of you who like to wait until the last minute, here's how to find your polling place in Virginia, Maryland and the District. You might also find WTOP's... more ›

Happy Monday, Washington. Many reasons to be smiling during the start of this week: fall appears to be settling in with some cool yet still-sunny weather, the Redskins totally (and finally!) kicked some ass yesterday against the Houston Texans, and Tim Gunn, Project Runway guru, will be doing a live chat on on washingtonpost.com at 11 a.m.! If only Jeffrey Sebelia would go ahead and get his mouth sewn shut, then we'd be truly happy.... more ›

Happy Wednesday, Washington. We don't know about you guys, but we feel strongly that last night was excessively hot. Especially if you were stupid enough to wear jeans while sitting outdoors drinking beer — as muggy as it was, just peeling those suckers off and managing to climb into bed with a fan pointed straight at your head was a minor miracle. So it is with great fanfare that DCist announces, starting today, three days... more ›

Happy Wednesday, Washington. Sadly, there's even more crime to report this morning, and yes, you guessed it, more rain — though after the record high temperatures we've experienced earlier this week, we dare say we wouldn't mind some more of those scattered thunderstorms predicted for the metro area — the high will 88° today, with a 40% chance of strong showers hitting this afternoon. Cooler temperatures will be a welcome relief after yesterday's first Code... more ›

It was a big week for transportation in Virginia. Legislators put off making any hard decisions yet again and the first VDOT projects are delayed as a result, Arlington strikes out on its own, Loudoun development is in turmoil, and Metro is more popular than ever. Whew! Photo by hudson... more ›

American University's graduation is May 14 -- which also happens to be Mother's Day. I need to find a good but not exorbitantly expensive brunch option. Any suggestions? In case you and your mom will be spending Mother's Day in the area, DCist encourages you to consider booking a reservation for Sunday brunch sooner rather than later. With American University's graduation falling on the same day, plenty of places are already full -- including brunch... more ›

So, this week, we thought we'd start off by checking out criminal activity in Loudoun County. These were the first four entries we found. BAISH DR., 300 block, 10:55 p.m. April 1. Telephone threats were reported. CATOCTIN CIR., 700 block, 12:30 p.m. March 30. An argument at a residence was reported. CATOCTIN CIR., 700 block, 11 a.m. April 3. Police responded to an argument at a residence. DONALDSON LANE, 700 block, 10 a.m. April 2.... more ›

The battle over transportation in Virginia has been full of laughable moments, from Delegates noting how they don't hear taxpayers clamoring for tax increases when they return home to news stories on the lack of concern about traffic in Virginia hamlets with three-digit populations. Of course, we laugh to keep from crying, or rather, we laugh to keep from tracking down these Prince William County Delegates and punching them in their smug faces. We know their day of electoral or karmic reckoning is coming, we just don't know when. more ›

Once a butterstick, now a "solid little Tonka truck," the baby panda that has transfixed attention on the District's National Zoo and provided much-needed fodder for slow news days is six-weeks old today, almost half-way to the 100 days at which it is officially named. Zoo vets examined the cub yesterday for 14 minutes, reports the Post, weighing it in at four pounds and noting that teeth and open eyes are the next developments... more ›

Good news, Washington — the heat is over. For the time being, anyway. The Weather Channel promises temperatures in the 80s for the foreseeable future, and we would desperately like to believe them. The recent weather wasn't only sticky and unpleasant; it was also chaotic. D.C. public pools stayed open late, then had to close early after swimmers got a minor electrical shock; President Bush's trip to the Boy Scout Jamboree was cancelled due to... 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 ›

FRIDAY: >> If your faux pas have lately been spiraling out of control, head over tout suite to Politics & Prose. This evening at 7 p.m. Judith Martin, aka Miss Manners, will be talking about "Miss Manner's Guide to Excruciatingly Exact Behavior," her newly updated book about modern-day etiquette. >> The Dulles Expo Center gets busy today with the weekend-long Sugarloaf Craft Festival. You can buy everything from well-engineered teddy bears to wood art. Check... more ›