Good morning, Washington. We hope you’re reading this from the comfort of your toasty home, sipping some coffee and wriggling your toes in slippers shaped like some ridiculous sort of animal. If this is in fact the case, let us offer a word of advice: STAY INSIDE. Today’s high temperature is going to be 43 degrees. 43! It’s still November — we’re just not prepared to grapple with highs of 43 yet. Call your boss and say you’ll be in late. Like, April-late.
Wal-Mart Lobbies Maryland Legislators: The retail giant is worried about legislation pending in Annapolis that would force it to spend more money on its workers’ healthcare. The house that Sam built has been in the news recently both for a leaked memo detailing its plans to minimize healthcare costs by only hiring healthy workers, and for the anti-WM documentary that premiered in D.C. on Tuesday. The Post reports that the company is countering these threats by courting Maryland lawmakers, and in particular the legislature’s African-American representatives. The bill in question was passed in April but vetoed by Governor Ehrlich. That veto may be overridden in January.
Animal Abuse On Rise: Maybe we’re just getting old, but these days it really does seem like the proverbial kids are out of control. Juveniles are being blamed by many for the minor crime wave that parts of the city have been experiencing. Now NBC4 reports that youths are also responsible for a recent spate of cruelty toward animals (please be aware that the preceding link contains descriptions of the offending acts). This news comes on the heels of confirmation that teenagers were responsible for most of PG County’s carjackings.
ICC Debate Continues: The Washington Times’ Metro section takes a break from its usual cavalcade of xenophobia to report on the latest goings-on in the world of ICC advocacy. The news? Well, there isn’t any. As before, some think the road will improve traffic; others don’t. Some think the ICC will bring jobs; others say it won’t. And some think the environment will be damaged by the road, while others disagree. It seems that the process is mostly moving forward under its own inertia at this point. The next milestone for the project is the state’s completion of an environmental impact statement. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.
Council Likes Stadium Design: D.C. Council members have been given a peek at the results of the baseball stadium design process, and they liked what they saw. The proposed design, by architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum Sport uses lots of steel, stone and glass to achieve a modern, semi-transparent look. It appears that the only councilmember with reservations about the design is Jack Evans, who thinks a brick stadium may be cheaper — and look better. Although the initial response was positive, no final decision has yet been made. The design drawings won’t be released to the public for another few weeks, but the Post has a detailed written description of the stadium plan.
Briefly Noted: Man hit by train at Columbia Heights Metro…
Post profiles controversial Judge Palumbo…
Md. teen’s death resulted from blunt trauma…
Police continue to investigate Jefferson Memorial stabbing…
WMATA approves Vienna Metro land deal…
Image posted to DCist Photos by ambimb
