I've long wondered why anyone would buy tickets for D.C.'s Mega Millions lottery. The odds of winning are virtually identical to the multi-state Powerball, but the jackpots are almost always much smaller. That's changed lately: Friday's Mega Millions drawing is now set to feature a jackpot of $224 million, which is the largest in the history of the D.C. Lottery. If you take it all in cash, the estimated jackpot would still be $138.1 million. Powerball, meanwhile, is down to only $30 million this week, after a Missouri man recently won $258 million. more ›

"I got rid of teachers who had hit children, who had had sex with children, who had missed 78 days of school. Why wouldn't we take those things into consideration?" Rhee told Fast Company. Indeed! It is altogether better for schools to not employ teachers who hit children or have sex with them. A schools czar absolutely must into consideration whether a teacher is breaking the law when considering teaching assignments. Pruning out teachers who abuse students physically and sexually could take place more than once a fiscal cycle -- possibly even quarterly. more ›

>> "Monument Realty filed a federal lawsuit today against Metro to stop the sale of the transit agency's land near the Washington Nationals' new baseball stadium, escalating a dispute that threatens to disrupt the opening of the ballpark next spring." [WaPo] >> Check your old Mega Millions tickets. [WJLA] >> "Well, then you can't have the apples." [why.i.hate.dc] >> Carroll Co. school lockdown lifted, two males being questioned after student threatened to 'shoot up'... more ›

>> Ward 8 Council member Marion Barry feels "disrespected and misled" by Mayor Adrian Fenty regarding the changes the administration made to the development of Poplar Point, where plans for a new stadium for D.C. United have now been abandoned. [WTOP] >> The accused "D.C. Madam," Deborah Jeane Palfrey, is alleging that national security concerns related to the fact that Muslim men used her escort service before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks might... more ›

Welcome to Friday, Washington ... and the last day of August, and the beginning of your holiday weekend, and more or less the end of the summer? This particular date, as you prepare for your weekend barbecues and last-minute getaways, is always a bit of a depressing occasion. It may not be the de jure end of the summer, but it's certainly the de facto one. To cheer you up about the imminent demise... more ›

>> "A circuit court judge in suburban Richmond ruled today the state's steep fees on bad drivers are constitutional, reversing a lower court decision that found fees violated the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution." [WaPo] more ›

It's a little dreary out today, isn't it? Please accept this video of adorable baby meerkats at the National Zoo trying to dig holes as a token of our concern for the mental well being of Washingtonians in desperate need of a sunny, warm spring day. [DCGuide]. >> There are plenty of things D.C.'s federal workers can complain about: shifts in the administration, incurring public ire during tax season, being treated like a number in... 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 ›