We’re always one to celebrate when the District is good at something. But today’s news is bittersweet. We’re really good, it seems, at having really bad air, or so reports the Washington Times. According to an updated EPA report, air quality in the District is the fourth worst in the country, ranking behind New York, California and Oregon based on tests for 177 air toxins, including lead and benzene. We can try and take solace in the fact that these rankings are based on air quality tests from 1999, so maybe, just maybe, things have gotten better since then. Thankfully, we still have our water and schools, right?

District Officials Defend HIV/AIDS Actions: Pre-empting a report critical of the District’s efforts to act against a serious citywide HIV/AIDS problem, city officials yesterday claimed that the situation has improved since last year, notes NBC 4. D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams stated that the situation is improving, and that he is planning a special taskforce to to speed services to needy residents. The D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, which last August accused the District of being 10 to 15 years behind where it should be regarding the fight against HIV/AIDS, is set to release a report card today detailing where improvements have been made and where they haven’t. DCist had a chance to review the report card, and we’ll offer our take on it later this morning.

New Stadium to Take in Millions: An analysis of the economic impact of the new stadium commissioned by the District found that the city can expect to take in $203 million in revenue the first year alone and $190 million a year thereafter, reports the Post. The analysis was conducted by Economics Research Associates at the request of District CFO Natwar Gandhi, and if its numbers are accurate, would make the Washington Nationals one of the most lucrative franchises in baseball, behind only the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Some, including Nationals president Tony Tavares, questioned the numbers, though, claiming they may be overestimating the amount of revenue that will come in from the sale of tickets.

Williams Outlines Library Renovations and Repairs: D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams yesterday detailed the funds set aside in the District’s 2007 budget for the city’s aging public libraries, notes the Post. Williams has proposed boosting the library system’s operating budget by $8 million and requested $16.25 million — which would be matched by federal funds — for library renovations in Petworth, Southeast, Washington Highlands and the main downtown branches. He similarly noted that a new central library, which is estimated to cost $180 million, would be partially funded by lease payments on the existing central library building at Ninth and G Streets, Northwest.

Briefly Noted: Journalist’s killers due in court today … Montgomery County police officers message board includes racist messages, threats … Police investigate triple shooting in Southwest … Fairfax County police search for man who exposed himself at malls … Williams pushes for local ownership of Nats.

Picture snapped by IntangibleArts.