The legends we celebrate during Black History Month are manifold, and the District is fortunate that heroes from Frederick Douglass to Charles Drew called Washington home. But as February comes to a close, the Root examines the more notorious figures from black history, summoning a rogue's gallery of 21 individuals that they'd just as soon forget altogether. Number one on this list? Right up front, there's hizzoner: former mayor and current Ward 8 Council member Marion Barry. more ›

It's a breaking news kinda Wednesday, apparently. As best we can tell, Marc Steiner was actually the first person to report that embattled Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon has agreed to resign as part of a plea agreement reached with state prosecutors. The AP has since confirmed the news, noting that the mayor's resignation comes shortly after she entered an Alford plea today on a perjury charge. Dixon was convicted last month of embezzling gift cards that were supposed to go to needy Baltimore residents. The AP says the mayor's resignation is effective Feb. 4. more ›

Even between the DPW fiasco, the WTOP/biking police escort kerfuffle, not being Superman, facing vital questions about crime, handling a significant legal tussle regarding policing strategies, dealing with his "all-purpose scandal-in-a-box" Sinclair Skinner, recognizing his struggles with the D.C. lottery contract, trying to rebuild OCTO after its bribery scandal, navigating the significant labor strife among teachers in our public schools, and drawing the general ire of the entire D.C. Council, it could always be worse for Adrian Fenty. After all, he could be Baltimore's Sheila Dixon, who finds herself balancing a busy Mayoral schedule with being a defendant on theft charges which could force her to leave the office. (Sorry, Baltimore, we're just looking for some perspective here.) Also on the bright side? Fenty's upcoming 39th birthday bash will feature a "a large cache of Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks." So he's got that going for him, which is nice. more ›