Thankfully, Mother Nature seems to have bestowed the region with sunny skies free from the oppressive humidity that we knew all too well earlier this week — and it’s looking to be a beautiful weekend. It may very well be a good time to head outside and explore the natural offerings of the D.C. area, as a picture posted here by dcJohn has made us think.

Stadium PLA Revealed: D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams announced the long-awaited Project Labor Agreement for the soon-to-be-built stadium for the Washington Nationals, reports WTOP. The PLA, which sets the conditions under which construction of large projects will proceed, will include 35 percent participation by small and disadvantaged local businesses and will ensure that the majority of the estimated 3,500 workers be District residents. PLA’s have often attracted opposition from contractors and small businesses, who claim that they raise costs, increase the likelihood of cost overruns, and force union standards upon smaller contractors.

Metrobus Service Criticized: A panel organized by the American Public Transportation Association criticized the region’s metrobus service, highlighting weak supervision, old equipment, and poor scheduling as the main problems dogging the 1,460-bus fleet, reports the Post. A dedicated source of funding was identified as a primary cause, leaving the bus system, which ferries 500,000 passengers around the area daily, with aging buses and increasing maintenance costs.

Immigrants Increase Number of Faithful: The Catholic Diocese of Arlington is reporting a 42 percent increase in registered Catholics in the Northern Virginia area over the last decade, owing primarily to the influx of immigrants, reports the W.Times. The number of Hispanics in Northern Virginia rose from 97,559 in 1990 to 198,535 in 2000, forcing an increase of the number of parishes and Spanish-language services in the area.

Briefly Noted: D.C. Del. Eleanor Homes Norton, D.C. Schools Superintendent Clifford Janey, and city activists express support for the District’s gun laws … A suspicious white powder closes down the Israeli Embassy … Stretch of Wisconsin Avenue to be closed over weekend … District takes on Dutch Elm disease.