At this morning's meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board, new chair and former postmaster general Jack Potter announced that, as promised, a statue of Ronald Reagan will be unveiled at the airport on November 1. 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 ›

Back in February, our interest was piqued at a proposal put forward by seven Maryland state senators to designate February 6 as "Ronald Reagan Day," despite the fact that the Old Line State was one of the few to vote against Reagan in 1980 and give Walter Mondale serious consideration in 1984. But no matter -- the Washington Times reports that it's not going to happen, as the "Reagan Day" proposal hit the chopping block along with proposals to create a "Young Heroes Day" and a "Korean American Day." more ›

February 6, 2011 marks what would have been Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday -- and while there's plenty of national chatter about celebrations of the Gipper's centennial, some legislators in Maryland apparently want to bring it closer to home. According to P.J. Orvetti, seven of the state's senators have proposed legislation which would make February 6 "Ronald Reagan Day" in the state, an occasion on which Maryland residents would be urged "to observe Ronald Reagan Day in a proper manner." more ›

We know that several of you have an aversion -- whether for political or other curmudgeonly reasons -- to calling the airport in Arlington by its full, proper name. But you might not be able to escape the Reagan-ocity of DCA, come 2011. The Associated Press reports that the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation has come to an agreement with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to install a bronze statue of The Gipper right in front of Terminal A. The Foundation hopes to have the statue up by fall 2011. In other news, this editor's compromise to rename the airport "Rappin' Ronnie Reagan National Airport" sits there, unused. more ›

You'll have to forgive us for only getting around to this juicy piece of non-news today, but it appears as if Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board chairman H.R. Crawford might have suggested that he had heard from a friend's friend on the Hill about some rumors that people maybe perhaps were thinking about removing Ronald Reagan's name from its current place preceding the words "National Airport." Well, why doesn't he just call the Gipper a communist while he's at it! But seriously, those of you looking for a fast-track to lobotomization should go right ahead and read the large amount of comments left on the Examiner "report," but we'll sum it up here for you: the right-wingers don't like it, the left-wingers seem apathetic, and the whole thing turns into a ridiculous pissing contest between Obamans and Reaganites about health care. (I think.) No word on whether or not the Chairman has even considered renaming the airport "Rappin' Ronnie Reagan National Airport," which seems like the perfect compromise to this editor. more ›

Lauren Whittington at Roll Call reports that congressional leaders announced that a statue of former President Ronald Reagan will be unveiled in the Capitol Rotunda on June 3. In other federal iconography news, FOXNews reveals that there is nary a Republican First Wife in Madame Tussauds. more ›

The Washington Business Journal reported yesterday that the Washington Convention Center will be officially renamed to honor D.C.'s first elected mayor, Walter E. Washington. Apparently the D.C. Council approved the name change last year, though we can't recall having heard about it at the time. The idea is a fine one though, and Washington is certainly worthy of having his legacy honored. So what's the problem? As of Nov. 5, the building will officially become... more ›

Sen. McConnell, On Tuesday the Senate is set to take up legislation that would grant the District a voting seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. And though the measure passed the House and enjoys wide support in the Senate and among the American people, you've threatened to use procedural road-blocks to prevent it from coming to a vote. Please don't. Sen. McConnell, in opposing a measure that would grant the District's 600,000 residents a... more ›

Today’s kids probably think rappers have always been purveyors of commercial goods. 50 Cent has Vitamin Water. Diddy and Burger King are partners. Common probably even folds every shirt at The Gap. However, there was a time when rappers weren’t viable salespeople because their music wasn’t reaching a broad segment of the population. In 1990, a Bay Area entertainer who went by the moniker MC Hammer helped set rap on track to be a cultural... more ›

Presented without commentary. Or much commentary, anyway. I'd like to see some suggestions for other kinds of stories for which this headline might be useful, so get cracking in the comments. more ›

>> Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.) was indicted today on allegations that he took bribes to promote high-tech business ventures in Africa and for being a complete idiot for storing that money in his freezer. [WaPo] >> "If my understanding of DC history is correct, the grounds where the Ronald Reagan building stands have been: 1. a swamp-assed forest 2. an awkward triangle in L’Enfant’s partially realized dream 3. a neighborhood of brothels, flopboxes,... more ›

We're just a weekend away from the March for Voting Rights, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 16 at Freedom Plaza, ending at the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool at 4 p.m. for a rally. As we've mentioned before, you only have to take an hour off of work to join in the cause, and we'd encourage everyone to do so. We'll be there, and this is why: We're Too Close To... more ›

Washington is full of monuments to famous people -- Washington, Jefferson, Einstein, Hahnemann. Hahnemann? Not a forgotten vice president or a general, Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann was the founder of homeopathic medicine. His impressive monument, located at 16th and Massachusetts NW near Scott Circle, isn't too helpful -- it says "HAHNEMANN" on the top, as if everybody knows who he is. There are also a few Latin and German sayings (he was born in Saxony... more ›

FRIDAY: >> Get in line early tonight at the Rorschach Theatre in Columbia Heights for a special Pay-What-You-Can performance of their revival of Tony Kushner's A Bright Room Called Day. Set in Berlin in the 1930's, Bright Room is one of Kushner's (Angels in America, Homebody/Kabul) earlier plays, but by no means his least accomplished. If younger District residents aren't able to connect easily with Zillah, who is consumed by a hatred for Ronald Reagan,... more ›

Supporters of President Ronald Reagan tried to name a street in the District after him. But failing at that, they've opted for the next best thing -- dedicating a day to his legacy in Virginia. The Washington Times is reporting today that squeaky-clean Republican activist Grover Norquist submitted a request to Virginia Governor Tim Kaine's Office of Constituent Services that February 6 -- the Gipper's birthday -- be designated "Ronald Reagan Day." Kaine politely declined,... more ›

Friday in Washington is blithely referred to as "Take Out The Trash Day," as it's the traditional day of the week when our government issues press releases and concludes business in matters that they'd prefer didn't get a whole lot of media attention. Today, Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA), Chairman of the House Resources Committee, included a piece of garbage especially for the District. In the Draft Reconciliation Bill, published today, Pombo and his panel have,... more ›

Hoping to diffuse controversy over a special Congressional panel charged with investigating the federal government's shortcomings in the response to Hurricane Katrina, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert has tapped local Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) to be the panel's leader. The panel has been a flashpoint of debate in recent days, with Congressional Democrats claiming it would "whitewash" what have come to be perceived as substantial failures in the federal response to the storm and its aftermath. more ›

We know many of our readers may not have $350 to drop on a gala banquet ticket, but Goodwill's unique event this weekend looked so intriguing that we had to make a mention. The Fashion of Goodwill, presented this Saturday, Sept. 17 by Goodwill of Greater Washington, is the organization's first runway show and gala. The evening is hosted at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center (snazzy!) and in addition to the runway show, guests will enjoy live music, dancing and a silent auction. more ›

Washington is a city of symbols, be they of democracy, of death, of individual achievement, or of power. The District, while serving as a vibrant home to 600,000 residents, doubles as a reflection of America's resolve and commitment to the country's founding principles and those who have fought for them over the last 200 years -- Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, Roosevelt, and legions of soldiers and civil rights activists that have furthered the cause of... more ›

Yesterday DCist broke the news that Rep. Henry Bonilla, a Texas Republican, was looking to rename 16th Street NW after Ronald Reagan -- adding one more dedication for the nation's 40th president to the 67 that already exist in 24 states. Word spread fast -- before the end of the day, Rep. Tom Davis III (R-Va.), whose committee would review the legislative proposal, encouraged Bonilla to "name anything else he has to look at his... more ›

There are two seemingly popular traditions in politics that DCist likes to make fun of: politicians from Texas trying to decide how things here in the District should be, and naming everything in a 5 mile radius after President Ronald Reagan. The two traditions recently came together in a proposal from Congressman Henry Bonilla, House Representative from the 23rd District of Texas. Bonilla's grand idea, which was put forth on July 28? Renaming 16th Street NW "Ronald Reagan Boulevard." Cited from the bill:

SECTION 1. DESIGNATION. more ›

OK, so there isn't a specific D.C. angle other than it takes place here, but this is pretty monumental news in the larger scheme of things. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, today announced her resignation, the first in over 10 years and one likely to set up what is sure to be a long and brutal battle between conservative factions looking to reign in "judicial activism"... more ›

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's ... a student pilot and instructor from Pennsylvania who scared the hell out of the capital for a few minutes over the noon hour. To most everyone in Washington, it all unfolded in a matter of a few minutes with some lingering confusion as to what exactly happened. To others, seeing the planes and helicopters (the photo of a U.S. Park Police helicopter above is from Blue... more ›

Now that Verizon has purchased MCI, will the "phone booth" become the Verizon Center? Both of the names are less than inspiring and I'm not a big fan of stadium naming rights... but curious nonetheless. more ›

If anyone knows if there is a Mimi Slocum-type character living in Georgetown, we want to interview her. As you can see from this colorful scene from "Igby Goes Down," Susan Sarandon, playing the pill-popping, neurotic Georgetown socialite Mimi Slocum is sitting on her maid. Though most of "Igby Goes Down" takes place in New York, the scenes involving sheltered affluence in Georgetown is always entertaining. (Do good Georgetown children kill their mothers, as in "Igby"?) more ›

Good morning, Washington. As you can see from this photo outside this DCist's apartment, it's pretty foggy out. And please pardon Cornucopia (some call her Ariel) here, an overzealous neighbor may have gone a little overboard with the holiday decorations. It's caused quite the stir on 39th Street NW. Anyhow, we hope your commutes weren't too frustrating. WMATA to Go After Local Jurisdictions for Money: In order to meet its $1 billion budget proposal, WMATA... more ›

DCist was watching the Michigan vs. Northwestern football game this afternoon at an L Street bar when ABC interrupted with a news flash that Vice President Cheney, who has survived four heart attacks, was at the George Washington University Hospital undergoing a host of tests due to shortness of breath. When the Wolverines built up a comfortable lead by the fourth quarter (Michigan beat Northwestern, 42-20) we headed over to Washington Circle to see... more ›

Lots of stadium news as the day of the D.C. City Council vote on the baseball stadium proposal is here. The Post reports that Mayor Anthony Williams has lined up enough votes to get his proposal for a South Capitol Street stadium passed by the council. The two crucial votes, Ward 1's Jim Graham (left) and Ward 8's Sandy Allen, have been secured. In exchange for their support, Williams will fund library improvements (Graham's request) and build a recreation center (Allen's request). more ›

The Post is reporting that President Bush may give a victory speech today, regardless of whether Kerry concedes defeat. From the Post: more ›