If you’re looking for a change of pace and need an industry that is sure to remain in business for years to come, consider escalator repair. Taking after DeVry and ITT Tech, Metro has kicked off a $1.5 million training lab for escalator repair, writes the Post. The lab will train the next generation of escalator repairmen, who, as we all know from experience, will have no shortage of work anytime soon — on any given day, 40 to 45 escalators in the system are out of service.

Ehrlich Wants Paper Ballots Back: After technical snafus and human errors caused a number of voting problems during the September 12 primaries in Maryland, Gov. Robert Ehrlich has asked that the state abandon its $106 million electronic voting system and stick with regular paper ballots, reports the Post. Other state officials, including elections administrator Linda Lamone and House speaker Michael Busch, opposed the idea, arguing instead that fixes should be made to the current system.

Teens Open Fire on Metrobus: A group of teens threw rocks and opened fire on a Metrobus yesterday afternoon, notes NBC 4. The group of 13 was chasing after a Metrobus in the vicinity of 14th Street and Rhode Island Avenue when they pelted it with rocks and pushed a revolver through a window, opening fire. Luckily, no one was hurt.

Stadium Development Nixed: The entire selling point of the new stadium along South Capitol Street was that it would serve as an anchor for the re-development of an otherwise bleak and abandoned area. But what if that development didn’t come to fruition? That seems to be the case, writes the Post. The D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission yesterday announced that it was abandoning a plan to build condos, shops, and parking garages in the vicinity of the new stadium, having failed to reach a financing deal with Western Development. The announcement throws into question how the District will finance its $611 million investment into the stadium, most of which was to be paid by tax income from the new developments.

Briefly Noted: Sen. George Allen knew of Jewish heritage prior to debate … D.C. firefighter told to choose between job and religion … Area schools get funding for language training … Diddy does D.C.

This Day in DCist: On this day last year, we cooked up some Lobster Mac, asked why the feds were ignoring D.C. voting rights, and wondered why certain Trader Joe’s don’t sell alcohol. Two years back, we saw the National Museum of the American Indian open its doors and bid farewell to Visions.

Picture snapped by The West End