We’ve spent time talking about how great it would be if D.C. was a little more free WiFi-friendly than it is — and thankfully, it soon may be. The Post is reporting this morning that D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams has asked companies to start bidding on a contract to build a free wireless internet network that would cover the majority of the city, including often underserved poorer neighborhoods. The network could become operational in just nine months, and would grant highest priority to the 100,000 residents living in the poorest areas of town, most of those in Southeast.

Barry Faces Judge Today: We honestly wish that phrase hadn’t become so commonplace with Marion Barry, but the former mayor-for-life just isn’t very good at staying on the right side of the law. WJLA is reporting that Barry will finally face a judge today in his tax evasion case, and may get anything from probation to 18 months in prison and a $100,000 fine. We’re offering a DCist sticker to anyone who can guess Barry’s sentence. Just leave it in the comments, and don’t forget a valid email address.

Williams Celebrates Baseball Stadium Victory: It was a long time coming, but Mayor Williams finally has a reason to celebrate — a new stadium for the Washington Nationals is on its way, writes NBC 4. In celebrating the D.C. Council’s final endorsement on Tuesday of the plan and the recent signing of a $320 million construction contract, Williams has rid himself of his blue Nationals cap and is now instead sporting a red “at home” cap. Unconfirmed rumors have it that Williams and his staff yesterday took a half-day and played stickball on Pennsylvania Avenue, though a Metrobus totally ruined the fun.

MoCo Bans MySpace Access in Schools: No R-rated movies, and now no access to MySpace? What fun is going to public school in Montgomery County these days? NBC 4 is reporting that MoCo school officials have decided to ban access to the popular online social networking site from school computers, having expressed concern over students’ use of the widely used site to publish private information that can be used against them or against others by online predators. Critics call the move an invasion of privacy.

Briefly Noted: Cigarette smugglers busted in Maryland … Four designs unveiled for new South Capitol Street Bridge … Anacostia Marina set to re-open … Peak bloom date prediction for Cherry Blossoms expected today.

Picture snapped by epmd.